US Coast Guard Academy

Capt. Kurt Colella, PhD, PE, the current dean of academics and a 1981 graduate of the academy, stated:

The US Coast Guard Academy is a place that offers a four-year experience filled with exciting challenges, physical, and professional growth of our future Coast Guard leadership. With a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately eight to one, our mantra is to develop a professional relationship with each and every cadet that supports their development and unlocks their potential.

The Coast Guard Academy is dedicated to graduating officers who are prepared to meet the needs of the service. To accomplish this, the academy has four basic objectives: 1) to provide, by precept and example, an environment that embraces the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect, and devotion to duty; 2) to provide a sound undergraduate education in a field of interest to the Coast Guard; 3) to provide leadership education; and 4) to provide professional training that enables graduates to step into their responsibilities and duties as junior officers.

Vice Adm. Harry G. Hamlet, class of 1896, was the seventh commandant of the Coast Guard, serving in that role from 1932 to 1936. In 1928, he was appointed the superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy. He wrote the Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman:

I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.

I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.

I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.

I shall live joyously but always with the regard for the rights and privileges of others. I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.

I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country but give it freely to rescue those in peril. With God’s help, I shall endeavor to be one of his noblest works:

MISSION STATEMENT. This mission statement is mounted in the lobby of Chase Hall, the residence of the academy cadets. This mission was summarized and promulgated by Vice Adm. Harry G. Hamlet in 1929, while he was the superintendent of the academy. It was modified in 1976 with the words “and women” when the academy became the first US military academy to accept women. (Author’s collection.)

TO GRADUATE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. Pictured is graduation day for the 93 all-male members of the class of 1963. Every four years, the president of the United States officiates over the graduation. Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson was the honored guest at the graduation in 1964. (Courtesy of Steve Ulmer.)

WITH SOUND BODIES. Cadet Hayley Feindel (class of 2012), conference champion softball pitcher, holds 17 school records, including a single-season ERA of 0.56 and the NCAA D3 all-time strikeout record of 1,457. In 2017, she was inducted into the Coast Guard Academy Hall of Fame. (Courtesy of Paul Duddy.)

STOUT HEARTS. Bob Leggett (class of 1963) makes one of his shots. Leggett was the all-time basketball point leader in academy history when he graduated. He also pitched the first no-hitter for the academy. Following a decorated tour in Vietnam, he earned a doctorate in economics from Lehigh University and had a 30-year career with the CIA, where he focused on Soviet economics. He was selected as a distinguished graduate in 2013. (1963 Tide Rips.)

ALERT MINDS. Note that these students are using slide rules in lieu of calculators. Each cadet now gets his or her own computer. Technology is continually changing, and the academy changes with it. (Courtesy of Steve Ulmer.)

WITH A LIKING FOR THE SEA AND ITS LORE. “One hand for the ship and one hand for yourself.” These cadets are reefing sails on the Eagle. The time spent on the Eagle is a great experience, especially for those who have not been to sea. It quickly gives one a feeling for the traditions of the sea and the importance of paying attention to the weather. (Courtesy of Steve Ulmer.)

WITH THAT HIGH SENSE OF HONOR, LOYALTY, AND OBEDIENCE. Pictured here is the 1953 color guard. Military drill is an important aspect of the training at the Coast Guard Academy. The color guard leads the procession of cadet companies in passing in review. (1953 Tide Rips.)

WELL-GROUNDED IN SEAMANSHIP, THE SCIENCES, AND HUMANITIES. These students are manning the helm on the Eagle in heavy weather. Cadets spend part of each summer on the Eagle. Long cruises under sail at the start of third-class year and first-class year are a special and unique component of training at the academy. (Courtesy of Steve Ulmer.)

WORTHY OF TRADITIONS OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE US COAST GUARD. This picture was taken as the national anthem played at homecoming in 2018 during the five-year class walk-on before the football game. (Author’s collection.)

IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND HUMANITY. This HH-65 was utilized for training and is shown deploying a rescue swimmer. A portion of each graduating class is sent to flight training with the US Navy and Marines in Pensacola, Florida. The Coast Guard operates 24 air stations with around 210 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. The Coast Guard has the highest percentage of aviators in the officer corps among the US armed services. (Author’s collection.)