i shipped out the 11th of sept. and just wondering what to expect for the training at cape may. is the pt part challenging or how is the class room. or anything else that anyone would like to add. just curious as what i get to look forward to. thanks
The tests are all open book, except for the rates and ranks test and part of the final exam. Well, at least they were when I retired in 2000. Study your helmsman, learn the ranks and job specialities, and you'll be way ahead in the game.
As far as the PF stuff, many recruits said they didn't feel it was all that tough. They said that on the critiques you fill out on the night before recruit graduation. I very seriously doubt they would have said that in the early weeks. In addition to the PF classes, your company commanders will have you doing push ups, jumping jacks, running in place, all sorts of fun stuff.
If you need to know anything else, don't hesitate to ask. Best of luck to you.
To the OP, CONGRATULATIONS on your enlistment in the Coast Guard and GOOD LUCK in your future! I wish you all of the very best in health and happiness as you will soon begin a new adventure in life. And remember, keep any/all of your military records, esp. your medical ones (and always make copies for backup).
It ain't gonna be that bad. Coast Guard is where some really smart people are at... where they go... i was AF.. and it was easy boot camp.
i'm sure they get mental with you and it's freaky as all get out... all the screaming and such... but... compared to the other branches... you really have made a smart decision! just mind like a child and endure to the end man. you'll be fine. the tests are not that bad. the pt is hell at first, maybe the first two weeks... LOL! then, it's a joke. At least for someone thin. Fat asses have more trouble. The tests will be easy cuz it'll be in your head, drilled, into your head.
Don't trip... Coast Guard is supposed to be an "easier" boot camp. I can't hardly see how it could be "easier" than AF though. Marines is hell. I hear Army sucks too.
the coast guard boot camp is the second hardest. thats what i hear anyway, i haven't gone through the others obviously.
anyway, first 4 weeks are going to be a nightmare, after that it gets progressively easier provided you dont **** up. telling you every little thing that will happen will ruin your experience.
Hey I realize your a few days into bootcamp already but others may read this and learn something.. maybe. People think the Coast Guard Recruit Training is going to be easy because 'hey its the Coast Guard', well like Johnshoop said I too heard from prior Army members who are some sort of instructors at the CG bootcamp that the CG is the second hardest bootcamp. It all depends on what CC's you get. We had two of the hardest (not just my opion, other CC's would say that everytime they found out who we had) and we had PT up to week 7. You get in shape where you can do it all and it's not that big of a deal but it's still PT. My words of advice are LEARN THE HELMSMAN from cover to cover and yell everything from day one until the day you graduate! There are some hardcore CC's at Cape May who could go head to head with any Marine DS anyday, so its luck of the draw as to how your experience is going to be.
on your enlistment in the Coast Guard and GOOD LUCK in your future! I wish you all of the very best in health and happiness as you will soon begin a new adventure in life. 
And remember, keep any/all of your military records, esp. your medical ones (and always make copies for backup). 
