<p>The 4/c at Coast Guard got wardroom carry-on yesterday! So now they can look at their food and enjoy real conversations! Just another step towards the end of 4/c year. They are also having boards soon, another indication that the "end" is near...</p>
<p>Soooo...close
DD has boards on Monday! Mocks went very well.
Let's see, no more note cards, real meals...what's next? No bussing?</p>
<p>What are boards?</p>
<p>Indoctrination boards...spewage asked of you while braced at attention, answering (in a loud voice) questions while upper class ask you all sorts of CGA/military related questions (quite an intense experience).</p>
<p>DD said that during "mocks" it's been the only time she's sweat through her trop shirt! Though she said it didn't seem as bad as "drill down," when they are spinning your "piece" in front of you.</p>
<p>Mock boards were probably the most fun I've had this year. </p>
<p>Apparently I was "Intense" and "Scary". =)</p>
<p>The biggest pressure experienced in Mock Boards is the Inital inspection. They are standing at attention and are asked the Mission. Immediatly after the question is posed the 3/c (or 2/c in the case of real boards) begins the harshest uniform inspection ever. No dust is too small, no smuge to light, and no hair to perfect. You circle them like a shark, all while they say the mission. If there is any mistakes or halts in the recitation they are dismissed to try again later. It's this part thats the real killer; any mistake here and you're out so there's a lot of pressure on it. We kind of purposely went overboard in Mock boards to get them comfortable for when the pressure is really on. Apparently there's something really intense about a small-ish normally quiet 3/c speaking slowly and softly in a low tone pointing out discrepancies. I guess it's more Godfather scary... </p>
<p>I'll pass along a little trick that I told all the 4/c that went through a board with me, hopefully it can help your 4/c too: Know the mission, then scream it out at the top of your lungs. The biggest reason people get flustered is because they're speaking quietly and the inspectors voice gets in thier head and the begin thinking about what he's saying and not the mission. Really we're just making noise; we could be saying "blah blah blah" and have the same effect. Just drown us out.</p>
<p>The next part is a 10 question battery. We'll ask them things like when did the CG move into the DoT? (1967) or What is the length of an Island class cutter? (110') or what is the light configuration red over green? (Sailing vessel underway). They have to get an 8 out of 10 correct to pass. This is really luck of the draw. It's nothing to advanced but it's easy to forget the small stuff under pressure. This board is supposed to help train you not to do that. Practice! Quiz your roommates on the most esoteric thing you can find.</p>
<p>Ultimatly everyone has to pass in order for the class to get privleges. However, in order to get a Silver Star you must pass on you first attempt.</p>
<p>What excatly is the situation for all the stars? I know there are different colors, what do they represent? Do lots of people have them, or just a select few?</p>
<p>YAY! Congrats to my Coastie buddies! Here's hoping for silver stars for all!!</p>
<p>It's all a measure of performance. </p>
<p>Gold Star - Deans List - Academics. - You have to have above a 3.15 GPA.
Silver Star- Commandant of Cadets List - Military - You have to meet certain military standards, among them being conduct and recieving at least an 80 on your performance report. It can also be taken away if you're put up for a class 1 offense.
Blue Star- Athletic Directors List- Score at least a 450 on the PFE.
Bronze Star -Regimental Commanders List- Improve your GPA by 0.5 in a semester.
Black Star - The unofficial, super secret star......</p>
<p>If you get a Gold and Silver you're on the Superintendents List. If you get Gold, Silver and Blue you are on the Board of Trustees list and get a spiffy orange blanket (That no one uses anymore, because now we have comforters. A nice tradition soon to be lost I'm afraid.)</p>
<p>Before it was regulated that only 10% of people could get the Silver, now it's more objective and standards based. It's still pretty difficult to get though, and ironically around the same percentage. </p>
<p>The idea behind the stars is to reward and recognize. For each star you earn a long weekend, and it used to mean 4/c got Friday liberty. (Not anymore though.) The parents association also puts on a ice cream dinner every semester for the people with stars. I mean, there's Ice cream in the ward room anyway; but this is ice cream you earned.</p>