Clouded in mystery, though not too far from here, stands the United States Coast Guard Academy (USGCA). In fact, the distance between the two schools can be thought of in terms of stone throws. Six, maybe seven, tops. We puzzle over the degree of strictness enforced on their campus and the corresponding punishments for rules broken. We know that because it is a military institution, the security is more rigid than our own, and we can assume that the party scene is limited.
But we never think to stop a Coastie and ask: what has your time at that prestigious institution on the nether side of Route 32 been like?
Here is where Eric “Tak” Moss comes into play. Moss ’10 transferred to our Connecticut College from the USCGA after his sophomore year. He is the diamond in the haystack that broke the camel’s back: he is the first ever to make this transition.
Q: While a Coastie, what was it like to visit the Conn campus?
Tak: Uh, I went to Conn probably three or four times to walk around and just wander. A few times friends and I tried to party.
Q: Were you successful?
Tak: We didn’t have any party in mind and my friends were not particularly well connected. Actually, no, no. We weren’t successful. I ended up climbing a tree and hanging out up there. We once went to a dorm and watched a movie.
Q: What movie?
Tak: The Departed.
Q Was there one single event that prompted you to transfer?
Tak: Well. It’s more that Conn fit my criteria when I decided to leave the Coast Guard Academy. I had the realization that I was trapped. I was sacrificing way more than I was willing to. You couldn’t say that that mom was dying and then be guaranteed to see her. It’s not freedom.
Q: Why did you choose Conn rather than try to escape New London?
Tak: It seemed to offer good financial aid. They pulled through for me this year too. The financial aid people are good. And then also Conn has a math program. I didn’t really know about it, but the math department is good. Oh, and I like small schools.
Q: Do you still have great friends from the CGA?
Tak: Not so much. Not really close. Uh…Yeah. Oddly enough, not really. Anytime I see anyone from there, they are friendly and familiar interactions occur. But the closeness died.
Q: Do you experience jealousy from those you left at the Coast Guard Academy?
Tak: I don’t think so. No. Not really.
Q: I’ve been wondering, what do Coast Guard men say about Conn women?
Tak: Um. Lets see. Uh. Well. I don’t remember talking about it too much. But I got the impression that everyone thinks they are attractive and plentiful in their existence. There’s quality and quantity at Conn.
Q: What is the party scene like over there? Is there one at all?
Tak: Let’s see… party scene…party scene.
[Q: It sounds like you have a handbook you’re looking at.
Tak: My mind is a handbook. ]
Tak: Lets see… much of the party scene is to have as covert as possible. If there is any word of underage drinking, you get kicked out at the drop of a hat. Someone once had pictures on a digital camera and handed it in and got everyone in trouble. Some people drank alcohol or whatever. Sometimes they had senior bar night or something. But that wasn’t often.
Q: Was there music at these covet parties? Or just a gathering?
Tak: I suppose they had music… we would watch movie. There was no alcohol allowed in the dorms. And for the most part no alcohol on campus.
Q: Can you give us some examples of penalties for some punishments at CGA? Like if there is a noise complaint?
Tak: Um… I think the officer would tell you to lower your music. But it wouldn’t get far along the table of command.
Q: That was a bad example on my part, what if you are late for a class?
Tak: It was somewhat of a deal. It should only happen once a semester. You would probably get a dirty look at first. Then they would talk to you and prod into your life. If you don’t give them good reasons you accumulate demerits.
Q: Demerits?
Tak: A demerit is a point against you. If you get enough in a short period of time, you become restricted. You must wear your uniform all day. You don’t get to put on your gym gear which is normally allowed at 15 hundred (time). Restricted cadets are not allowed liberty. They have to do marching tours where you march around with your rifle outside for an hour. They make you do community service or volunteer. Demerits also discount a portion of your GPA.
Q: Were substances such as marijuana or heroine abused on campus?
Tak: I’ve heard of some recent use of cocaine and marijuana and those students got kicked out. And this is just what I heard. While I was there, I didn’t see or hear of anyone doing it. They give you random drug tests. I didn’t notice anything in particular myself.
Q: What happens when they find out you are a homosexual?
Tak: I don’t think I knew anyone who was a homosexual. Uh, but so I don’t know what would happen. You are probably not supposed to advertise it. If it causes problems, you can be discharged for it. It’s like don’t ask, don’t tell.
Q: What happens when you lose your hat?
Tak: Depends on which hat you lose. If you needed it the next day, you would borrow one from someone else. Or sometime they have extra hats. There are different uniforms. One time I lost my hat. I lost the cover. So I wore a garrison cover instead. Someone called me out on it and told me to change your hat. It’s not always an authority that will yell at you. Your classmates will tell on you. We call them tools.
Q: So do we, how happy are you now at Conn?
Tak: Very happy.
Q: Would you ever go back?
Tak: No, I wouldn’t because of the obligation and lack of freedom. I don’t mind a regimented day as long as its during the school day but if you interfere with the rest of my life that’s where it becomes a problem. But it was a cozy environment. Everyone was close. 1,000 students. Doors had to be open until sixteen hundred (time). You could have a conversation with anyone.
Q: Could you make out with girls who had their doors open?
Tak: There is no PDA. Depending on what grade a girl is in you may not date her. I know a kid who got kicked out for that. It’s called fraternization. If you are a freshman, you can only date freshmen. A sophomore can date a sophomore, or junior. A junior can date a junior or senior or sophomore. A senior can date a senior or junior.
Co-written by Dennis Barrett
