Membership Services & Information

The association is dedicated to the support of its member parents and all cadets of the US Coast Guard Academy. Please
review and consider the following services & information

All funds raised by these efforts go directly in support of our Cadets! It's OK to Feed the Bears!... Here are some links to places that can help you provide 'long distance support' for your Cadet.
Cadet Cakes	Order up a cake for your favorite cadet! -- It will be delivered to them on the date you request. See the order form for details or beginning this year, go directly to the Cadets Cakes Store!
Ensign Edibles	Order all types of "Liberty Loot"- courtesy/service sponsored by the Capt. Paul F. Foye Chapter (CT). Order goods, treats & services from local vendors.
Florida Citrus	The Florida Chapter Fundraiser - send Citrus to your favorite cadet or to yourself!
The non-Edibles
Graduation Banners	The VADM Robert T. Nelson Chapter is proud to offer a Graduation Yard Banner for sale.  This lovely banner is made entirely of vinyl with grommets at all four corners for tying to posts in your yard or to hang on your home.  Graduating from the United States Coast Guard Academy is a great accomplishment and what better way to let everyone know than a lovely yard banner.  The banner measures seven feet long by two feet high.  It is made by graphic art students at a local Career Center so the support is two fold, some great high school students and of course our cadets who benefit from the Chapters efforts. The cost for the banner is $60 plus $11 shipping via UPS in a tube container. The deadline for ordering banners for the Class of 2005 is April 1, 2005.  You may order your banner anytime between now and then.  If you choose not to include your cadet's billet on the banner, it can be made now.  If you wish to include the billet, order should be submitted ASAP after Billet Night in March.
Virtual Greeting Cards	All cadets have computers on the network, why not send a card?? Here's a list of links to sites found that provide electronic greeting cards.
Virtual Flowers	Or why not send flowers?
Real Flowers	(even real ones!)
Upstate NY Note Cards	Gallery of Cards - Order Form (pdf)
Other Fundraisers...
Donate to the Coast Guard Academy and the Parents Gift Fund!	Parent Contributions to the Coast Guard Academy (via Alumni Association) should be credited to the Parents Association. Contributions should be mailed to the CG Academy Alumni Association, 47 Mohegan Ave., New London, Ct. 06320-8111. Note that the funds should be allocated to the CG Parents Association. Designation is available if you want the money to go to a particular group or activity. Money that is not designated will be allocated to the Parents Gift Fund. If a corporate match is available, the forms can be filled out prior to mailing to the Academy or if provided, will be filled out by the Alumni Association. You can also make an online credit card contribution to the Parents Gift Fund by going to the CGA Alumni Association website. Click on the "Donate" icon (yes, it is a piggy bank!) and select "Parents Gift Fund" in the laundry list under "Other". You receive an e-mail confirmation and a written confirmation. In recent years, the Parents Gift Fund donated two Liberty Vans to the Academy, and assisted with the up front money for the Cadet Day Room Furniture. All money that is donated through the Alumni Association for the Parents Association benefits the Cadets.

If you have ideas or suggestions that you're cadet has appreciated, please share your info!
Drop me a note and we can post a guide or instructions on these pages. -- Thanks!

Support for a Traveling Cadet... There is lots of support for our service men & women on the road and in the air.
Host Family Program	Each year, parents from the Capt. Paul F. Foye Chapter serve as surrogate families to SWABS traveling ALONE to Reporting-In Day. Contact Frank and Karen Olah, Host Family Coordinators via email or via telephone at (860) 633-5574 for more detailed information.
USO Locations	For those cadets on the road, these locations will welcome all military enlisted personnel!

Parental Advice ... While it is readily apparent that Coast Guard cadets face many challenges and need our support, many are surprised that having a cadet at the Academy can be hard on the parents too. As fellow parents, we recognize this and encourage you to become involved in the Parents Association to draw strength and support from those who have experienced, or are now experiencing, the same concerns. Here are various "pearls" offered by parents who have been there...done that...and got the T-shirt for it...
Info for Firstie Parents	Information regarding the final cadet year, traditions, and events leading up to graduation.
Parenting A Cadet	Adjusting to what it takes to parent a cadet.
Shopping For Your Cadet in preparation for Reporting-In Day	This list is an on-going project begun a few years ago by parents of the Chesapeake and Potomac Chapter who have "been through it." It provides a wealth of information designed for new Cadets and their parents. This guide is an invaluable source of information that can answer many of your questions and it supplements the information the Academy will send you. If the information the Academy sends you differs, follow the official word as it might represent a recent change. Also, this guide is a continuing work so comments are welcome. Please contact Pam Middleton at if you have any suggestions for the list.
Cadets Talk About Quitting	The Academy is rough on a young person. All your support may not be enough. Here are some guidelines for dealing with this issue.
Other Parent Organizations	Your cadet may choose to participate in the exchange program with other US military academies. Other parent organizations exist for folks with similar experiences to your own. Here are links to those sites.

Information for Cadets & Their Parents - Year By Year As mentioned above, life differs for cadets of differing ranks. These links are for pages dedicated to issues for given ranks.
	The Swabs! - 4th Class Cadets
CGA Acronyms	The Parents of '08 Cadets have compiled the most frequently used buzz words and acronyms to help all parents communicate with their cadets!
New Cadet Info FAQs - modified as things change...	Special Information for New Cadets & their parents. These pages cover some important information/advice that can be very helpful for 1st-time cadets and/or parents. Remember to always reference Official CGA Cadet Handbook and Parent Handbook as the final word.
You Know Your a Swab Parent	A List of the many, many ways you can tell you have become the parent of a swab! This list was compiled by the very special parents of the 2006 class.
	3rd Class Cadets
	We're looking for contributions from our 3rd class cadet parents! -- Writings on Eagle? -- the change from follower to mentor?
	2nd Class Cadets
	1st Class Cadets
Issues For Firsties	As mentioned above, life differs for cadets of differing ranks. This page is for those concerned with the life of a 1st class cadet. That important transition from cadet to commissioned officer is a big one.
Challenge Coins	A 1st class cadet may be looking forward to joining the fleet. The graduating class was provided with a challenge coin as a collective symbol of representing all of our U.S. armed services core values, "Honor, Respect, Duty, Commitment, Integrity, Selfless Service, Excellence, Loyalty, and Courage." This article provides an excellent overview of the origins of military coins.