Coast Guard
GalleryCoast Guard Academy welcomes class of 2029
Stars and Stripes
July 1, 2025
US. Coast Guard Academy cadets swear to uphold a high quality of leadership as part of Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Leo Avila/U.S. Coast Guard)
Approximately 250 young women and men of the incoming Class of 2029 arrived at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., on Monday, according to a service news release.
The new cadets, called Swabs, will start Swab Summer, a seven-week training program designed to transform civilian students into military members.
During their first day, the Swabs were sworn in to uphold a high quality of leadership, marking their official entrance into the program. They were then issued their uniforms, practiced drill and went through various administrative processing.
Swabs were given 15 minutes to say goodbye to their families before entering the academy.
This year 43 states are represented in this class, and 37%t are women. Also joining the class are seven international students from Jordan, Philippines, Tunisia and Ecuador.
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2029 swabs transit to their next check-in station at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Leo Avila/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet cadre give orders to the incoming Class of 2029 during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Janessa Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2029 Swabs read their Running Light at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Janessa Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2029 members are assigned to their respective companies at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Janessa Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets of the Class of 2029 take the the oath during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Matt Thieme/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Class of 2029 members try on shoes during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Janessa Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)
A U.S. Coast Guard Academy Swab from the Class of 2029 embraces a loved one during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Janessa Warschkow/U.S. Coast Guard)
A U.S. Coast Guard Academy Swab from the Class of 2029 embraces loved ones during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Matt Thieme/U.S. Coast Guard)
A U.S. Coast Guard Academy Swab from the class of 2029 says goodbye during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Matt Thieme/U.S. Coast Guard)
A U.S. Coast Guard Academy Swab smiles at the camera during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Leo Avila/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet cadre give orders to the incoming Class of 2029 swabs during Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Leo Avila/U.S. Coast Guard)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy Swabs swear in as part of Day One at USCGA, New London, Conn., June 30, 2025. (Leo Avila/U.S. Coast Guard)