USCG Academy

• In 1910, the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction was established in New Bedford, Massachusetts, marking the beginning of what would become the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. • The Academy moved to its current location in New London, Connecticut in 1932, where it continues to train future Coast Guard officers to this day. • The Academy is the smallest of the five federal service academies, with approximately 1,000 cadets enrolled at any given time. • One of the Academy's most famous graduates is astronaut Bruce McCandless II, who became the first person to perform an untethered spacewalk in 1984. • The Academy's athletic teams, known as the Bears, compete in NCAA Division III sports and have won numerous championships in men's and women's basketball, soccer, and crew. • Every year, the Academy's cadets participate in a tradition known as "SmugMug," where they run around campus at midnight while carrying a greased-up statue of a sea lion. • The Academy's campus is located on the grounds of the former Fort Trumbull, which played a crucial role in defending the Connecticut coast during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. • Cadets at the Academy are required to undergo rigorous training in seamanship, navigation, marine engineering, and other maritime subjects, in addition to their academic coursework. • In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed legislation granting the Academy the authority to award Bachelor of Science degrees to its graduates, officially establishing it as a full-fledged service academy. • The Academy's motto is "Scientia est Potentia," which means "Knowledge is Power" in Latin, reflecting its commitment to preparing future Coast Guard officers to protect and defend the United States.