INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS BRANCH
Congratulations on your orders to attend the Coast Guard’s Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Course (DEPOT) in Cape May, New Jersey. We look forward to your arrival and offer you the challenge of DEPOT designed specifically to provide you with the skill sets to serve America in the United States Coast Guard. Welcome Aboard!
MISSION
The goal of the
Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Course is to provide petty officers who
on the basis of their civilian professions, prior military experience, or a
combination of both, will graduate as highly motivated and basically trained
members ready to assume the duties and responsibilities of their pay grade.
For more information on the program review the document Pre Training Information
SCOPE
This course is
20 days in duration with students arriving on Sunday evening and graduating
on a Friday. Training will consist of instruction and practical experience
in military courtesies, drills and ceremonies, military justice, code of
conduct, leadership and supervision, seamanship, uniforms, ranks and rates,
career development, first aid and survival, fitness, wellness and quality of
life, Coast Guard history, traditions, and values, safety, damage control,
small arms, Coast Guard assets and missions, administration and personal
finance, watch standing, security and communications. TRACEN Cape May will
prepare orders to first unit, issue ID cards, arrange household goods moves,
and provide access to travel agent for flight arrangements. Members are
responsible for travel from TRACEN to home following graduation.
Entitlements only include travel from Cape May to next duty station for
active duty members. The physical fitness assessment and swim assessment
will be conducted during the first week of training. The standards are
listed on page 19 of the Helmsman. Training will be held 7 days per week,
12-14 hours per day. Members will have limited access to pay phones but will
be allowed to make calls for family and business requirements periodically.
No cellular phones are allowed during training. Advanced travel, DLA and pay
may be authorized to assist members and families with travel.
PREREQUISITES
Meet the
minimum Coast Guard medical requirements and have achieved a minimum AFQT
score of 45. Meet accession standards and have qualifying past prior
service or meet the requirements of one of our reserve petty officer
programs.
KNOW BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
1. 11 General Orders
2. Guardian Ethos
3. Military Time
4. Phonetic Alphabet.
By knowing these items before you arrive to Cape May, you will be
better equipped to start training.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Tough,
challenging and rewarding training. In order to meet the mission of the
course, your days will be long. The training is well organized, with a
professional staff of Company Commanders and instructors whose main goal is
to assist you in successfully completing the course.
Reveille is at 0530 and Taps is at 2200 - a typical day consists of academic
classes, hands on practical training, evening fitness or workbook sessions,
and personal "square-away" time. You will be expected to maintain training
standards for your uniform, squad bay, classroom, and behavior. Uniform and
squad bay inspections are routinely conducted throughout training. You will
be given an initial physical fitness and a swim assessment during your first
week of training and will participate in a fitness program. You will be
formed as a company to promote teamwork, pride, and unit discipline, while
marching to and from class. The company will be berthed (living) in a squad
bay. Graduation is formal and visitors are welcome.
Study Material
WHAT TO BRING
Cape May is
located at the Southern part of New Jersey and experiences cold winters and
hot summers. Dress appropriately. You will be issued a complete set of
uniforms, three sets of physical fitness gear, a pair of sweats, swim suit
and running shoes. In general bring minimal civilian attire - enough to
report aboard and travel home. During the winter months bring a warm jacket
and gloves to hold you over until you receive your uniforms.
REQUIRED PAPERWORK
1. Birth certificate
2. Drivers license
3. SSN card
HYGIENE ITEMS
1. You will need to bring toiletry items including a toothbrush, toothpaste,
shampoo, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, and a razor.
2. Women should bring plain barrettes (gold or brown), bobby pins or
elastic bands, and hair gel.
CLOTHING ITEMS
1. Dress
appropriate for the season (i.e. warm jacket and gloves in the winter).
2. White V-neck tee shirts are required for men and optional for women—bring
2 or 3.
3. Black dress socks are required—bring at least 6 pair.
4. Underpants are required—bring at least 6 pair.
5. Bras are required for women—bring at least 6 bras (white or flesh tone,
or sports bras).
6. Long underwear is optional during the winter months (white only).
MISC ITEMS
1. Spending
cash for exchange purchases. On base there is an ATM machine available.
2. Prior Service Personnel - Bring ribbons, badges, and insignias if
available.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
You must arrive
to Cape May ready to pass a physical fitness assessment. Due to the short
duration of the course limited remedial physical fitness training is
available. If you do not currently work out, you will need to start. First,
assess yourself against the standards. If you need improvement, develop a
physical fitness regime that includes pushups, sit-ups, running 1.5 miles,
and hamstring stretches to increase your flexibility.
Read the Helmsman for the PF standards.
SWIM TEST
You must arrive
to Cape May ready to pass a swim test. Due to the short duration of the
course, limited remedial swim training is available. If you are a poor
swimmer, you will need to get into a swim program prior to arrival. Your
recruiter should be able to make specific recommendations for your local
area. The test consists of jumping off a 1.5 meter platform while in the
“cross and cover” position and return to the surface unaided. After you
surface unaided you must swim 100 meters using various strokes except for
the butterfly or underwater stroke in 5 minutes. The last test is treading
water unaided for 5 minutes. No goggles are permitted during the swim test.
GROOMING STANDARDS
Hair will be
neat, clean, and present a groomed appearance. Eccentric styles or colors
may not be worn while in uniform or in a duty status. Varying hair styles
are permitted provided these styles meet the criteria of bulk and do not
interfere with the proper wearing of military headgear. Bulk is defined as
the distance that the mass of the hair protrudes from the scalp when groomed
(as opposed to the length of the hair).
MEN
You will get
your hair cut while in training. The bulk of the hair must be less than 1
1/2 inch. The hair must not touch the ear or fall below the eyebrows, and
the back length of the hair cannot touch the collar. Hair must be smoothly
tapered from the lower hairline upward on all sides. Hair shall not be
visible below the front brim or visor when covered and shall not be blocked
or square cut.
WOMEN
The bulk of the
hair must be less than 2 inches. Hair cannot fall below the lower edge of
the collar and it cannot extend below the eyebrows. Hair bands should be a
plain cloth elasticized band similar in color the member’s hair color. Hair
will be clean and neatly arranged. Back of the hair may touch but not fall
below the lower edge of the collar. Hair shall not show under the front brim
of the cap, and shall not extend below the eyebrows when headgear is
removed. Afro, natural, bouffant, and other similar hairstyles are
permitted, but exaggerated styles, including those with excess fullness or
extreme height, are not authorized.
TRAVEL
INFORMATION
When making
travel arrangements, plan to arrive at the Philadelphia airport no later
than 1600 on the start date of the class. Transportation from the
Philadelphia airport to Training Center Cape May will be provided by Lion
Tours. The bus leaves the airport sharply at 1730. Upon arrival to the
airport, check-in with the USO. If the USO is closed, muster outside the USO
prior to 1700 and wait for the bus service. If you encounter any problems,
call the Training Center at (609) 898-6915 and ask for the Officer of the
Day (OOD).
Address While In Training:
Last Name, First
USCG TRACEN
Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Program XX-XX
Munro Hall
1 Munro Ave
Cape May, NJ 08204
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions or
concerns about the Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Program, have your
recruiter contact Chief Eppright, Chief Roy, or Petty Officer Ross at (609) 898-6970
or by email at
Jonathan.R.Roy@uscg.mil or
William.G.Eeppright@uscg.mil or
SeanEdward.A.Ross@uscg.mil