COAST GUARD ACADEMY, US Coast Guard Photo

NEW LONDON, Conn. (June 30, 2003) ---A Coast Guard cadet appointee or "Swab" reads from the "Running Light," a Coast Guard handbook for rules, history and regulation. They have to absorb this information throughout their training. During the summer, Swabs are inducted into military life on their first or "reporting-in" day. R-day is a demanding one, as the new swabs, class of 2007, endure intense culture shock and make the transition from civilians to cadets. After being forme dinto 9platoons, they will undergo administrative in-processing, receive haircuts, uniforms, physical exams, take a class photo and swear-in. The swabs are expected to complete 6 weeks of basic training, learning the skills, discipline, and history of theCoastGuard. They willparticipate in rigorous training, foot marches, rappellomg and tactical maneuvers. At the end of the training, they will be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets in a separate ceremony. USCG photo by Lt. Michael Madyda