R-Day (Reporting Day) is the start of Swab Summer, an exciting and intense seven-week training period that forms the foundation of each cadet’s Academy experience and military career, preparing them for the stressful and fast-paced situations they may encounter while at the Academy and as commissioned officers in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Below are ’70 classmates sharing fond memories of their own R-Day, June 27, 1966 – half a century ago.
But first, take a look at the Class of 2020 and their own 2016 R-Day (coincidently also on June 27th):
Classmates,
Bob Pray
We had our first Link in the Chain (LITC) 2020 event on R-Day at the Academy on Monday 27 June. Our class was represented by me, Steve Rottier and the Beasons (Larry and Margaret). I made some short remarks during the Cadet Life Presentations. We got a free lunch courtesy of the Parents Association. Spent a few hours mingling with parents. We were honored guests at the review and swearing-in ceremony and even got front row seats. [You can watch the ceremony here. At time stamp 17:32 see our mates introduced! – Dave]
Before the presentations I snuck into the Leamy Hall Auditorium and put our class flag on display. Steve spent part of the day trying to talk the new cadets into leaving but he failed miserably.
The class of 2020 started on 27 June, same day as we did only 50 years later. They also started with 312 cadets, I think the same number as we did? Does anyone recall? I mentioned this fact during my remarks and that caused a buzz in the audience. But there was an audible gasp when I said we only graduated 135. I quickly added that the recent graduation rate is in the 75-80% rate. I thought the Superintendent was going to have a stroke, but that’s what happens when you invite a bunch of old coots to speak.
They also had two women from the class of 1980 there. I’m not easily moved but their stories brought a tear to my eye. Someone had found an R-Day banner from 1976 with a rendition of a female cadet. If you looked closely at the name tag on the young woman it said COURAGE.
Following the drill and swearing-in, I made my way over to Mr. G’s. It’s still there and hasn’t changed a bit. In fact, I think some of the same customers were still there.
– Bob Pray 6-29-2016