***TRAINING CENTER CAPE MAY UPDATES*** 

Training Center Cape May Community and Families,

The base continues to evolve our training and operations based on the most recent CDC, Coast Guard, and New Jersey guidance.

As a result of our vaccine and mitigation efforts, recruits will be permitted to invite guests to attend their graduation ceremony. If a guest arrives and they are not on the recruit's list, they will not be allowed on base for graduation. Recruits will confirm their guests’ attendance on graduation week.

Our main gate will open to authorized graduation guests at 7:30 a.m. Unvaccinated visitors and anyone unable to provide vaccination status are asked to wear a mask and maintain 6-foot social distancing at events.

Upon arriving at the front gate, all guests must present a valid form of state or federal identification in order to gain access to the training center. All drivers must possess a valid driver’s license.

Firearms, weapons, and illicit controlled substances, including marijuana, are not permitted on base. Do not have them in your vehicle when you approach the front gate to enter the base.

Graduation is a formal military ceremony and will begin promptly at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium or on the parade field, as weather permits. The ceremony will last for about 45 minutes. After the ceremony is concluded, recruits are free to depart. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, your recruit will be provided travel arrangements to execute their orders for authorized leave and reporting to their first units.

Our Exchange will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for authorized guests and graduates to purchase Coast Guard items or by visiting www.shopcgx.com.

Please continue to check this official FORCECOM webpage and our U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (Official) social media page for updated information, as they are the only official sources of information from the Training Center.

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We are constantly monitoring this very dynamic and fluid situation and will release information and updates as they become available. One of the best things we can all do is stay informed. There are many resources available to help families cope with the issues brought about by this virus. Some of those resources can be found at the links below:

Coast Guard guidance and resources: www.uscg.mil/coronavirus

CDC guidance: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

New Jersey’s COVID-19 response: www.COVID19.NJ.GOV

Our priority is to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that graduates present the lowest risk to our operational units when departing training and to protect the health and safety of our staff.  All graduating recruits are provided with travel to their first unit. Based on the dynamic nature of domestic travel and Coast Guard operations, recruits may not have firm travel plans until just before graduation.  In some cases, recruits may remain in Cape May for a short period after graduation before reporting to their first units.

Changes to the base status are frequent, your recruit will be the best source of information during this time. Please know that they will make contact as appropriate and keep the families informed with timely and accurate information as necessary.

***LIST OF BASE CHANGES*** 

1. The base is currently open to authorized personnel.
2. Visitor Screening:  Visitors will be screened prior to entry. All guests must present a valid form of state or federal identification in order to gain access to the training center. All drivers must possess a valid driver's license. 
3. The ID Card Office is working in an appointment only basis. No walk-ins. Do not bring other guests to your appointment. Feel free to call with any questions: 609-898-6337.
4. Any AD personnel requiring acute care is to call the medical front desk at (x6610).
5. The chaplains are available by phone as needed and emergent appointments if necessary. 
6. Galley is open for authorized patrons. See plan of the week for menu and times.
7. The barber shop is open for all authorized patrons. It is suggested to call and make an appointment (ext 6939). 
8. The tailor shop is open for over-the-counter business for permanent party personnel by appointment only at (ext 6906) on Thursday.
   • Items must be clean/laundered when dropped off.
9. The Exchange is open for all authorized patrons. 
   1. Hours: M-F 0900-1730, Saturday 0900-1700, Sunday 0900-1600.
10. Harborview is open for base personnel with hours as noted in the plan of the week.
11. Gym hours for base personnel are issued weekly and subject to change via the plan of the week.
12. All base tours are cancelled until further notice.
13. Child Development Center - dependents of CG and federal government civilians are eligible to return to the CDC. 
    1. All families will be required to pay their regular rate of tuition in order to hold their space in the CDC irrespective of current attendance.
    2. CDC services have been expanded to include a Preschool Program and a School Age Program.

***GRADUATION***

With the success of COVID-19 mitigation and vaccination efforts, we are now able to have guests safely attend graduations on our facility. We will continue to follow guidelines on social distancing and mask wear.

Graduations themselves are scheduled to continue to be livestreamed on our official Facebook page as a courtesy. However, due to the current operational environment, it can be cancelled or rescheduled at the needs of the service.  http://www.facebook.com/USCoastGuardBootCamp

Recruit training graduations are normally held on Fridays at 11:00 a.m., but can be changed to meet training center needs. To avoid conflict with certain Federal Holidays, graduations are sometimes shifted to Thursday. DEPOT graduations are held on Friday at 8:50 a.m. in the Ida Lewis Auditorium.

The pre-graduation family breakfast will be held at the Harborview on base at 8:30 a.m. at a cost of $10 per person. Guests are invited to the on-base dinner in the Harborview at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The cost of the dinner is $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12, and free if under 5.

The graduation schedule is as follows and reflects an 8-week training program unless otherwise noted. Graduations are held on the Parade Field or the Flores Gymnasium depending on the season and/or weather. All dates are subject to change without notice:

*denotes 10-Week program

***Graduation Public Service Announcements***

• You are a guest on an active military base. Attendance at events is a privilege. Failure to follow instruction can result in your removal. 
• Graduation will be held either on the parade field or in the gymnasium depending on weather and time of year.
• Do not attempt to enter the base prior to 7:30 a.m. If you do, security will turn you around and leave the base until the appropriate time.
• At this time, the pre-graduation family breakfast will be held at the Harborview on base at 8:30 a.m. at a cost of $10 per person.  Guests are invited to the on-base dinner on Thursday in the Harborview at 5:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12, and free if under 5.
• The uniform requirement for Coast Guard personnel is TROPS (Spring/Summer) and Service Dress Blue (Fall/Winter). Service equivalent is expected for other branches of service.
• Speed limits will be enforced. The speed limit through housing on Pennsylvania and Delaware Avenues on the way to the gate is 25 mph. The speed limit on base is 20 mph.
• Seatbelt usage is required and driver cell phone use is prohibited.
• As you approach the gate, ensure everyone has their ID out and ready to present to the guards. With many visitors and tight timelines, we will be forced to turn you around and have you get back in line if you are not ready.
• Do not stop, get out, and take pictures while in line at the gate. This will slow down admittance and cause delays.
• Park in the designated graduation parking areas and follow security personnel's directions to make sure you arrive safely and on time. You will be walking to most locations, so plan accordingly.
• Firearm possession and illicit controlled substances including marijuana are not authorized on base. The police department conducts vehicle searches upon entry.
• For the safety of all visitors, leave bags, purses, suitcases, etc., of any type in your car and do not take them to the ceremony.
• Only smoke in designated smoking areas at the Ida Lewis Auditorium or the Exchange.
• Pets are not permitted on base.
• Photography of your graduate on base in encouraged. However, photography of recruits in more junior weeks of training is prohibited.
• Be courteous. Do not disrupt the graduation ceremony and please silence cell phones while on base.

***Questions & Answers***

Q1. Are the recruits aware of COVID-19 and the graduation changes? 

R1. Recruits are informed of changes we are making and follow-on companies will be notified as we move forward.

Q2. Once the recruits graduate will they be flown to the original place they left from so families can meet them there?

R1. Graduating recruits will make their travel arrangements with the Travel Office on base. TRACEN Cape May will provide transportation to a transit hub like they used when they first arrived. Graduating recruits will be afforded time to contact their family to communicate their plans.

Q3. How long will these graduation changes be in effect? 

R1. We will be constantly evaluating the environment and working with our federal, state and local partners to make the best decision for all here with the goal of preserving the Coast Guard workforce.

Q4. Is the DEPOT graduation live streamed?

R1. No. DEPOT will not be livestreamed.

Q5. What happens if a recruit or staff member tests positive for the coronavirus? 

R1. Our active screening follows the latest CDC guidelines and includes asking new arrivals about their general health. If anyone has a positive COVID-19 finding and/or meets current CDC screening guidelines for COVID-19, we would then work with our base medical personnel along with state and local health department professionals.

Q6. Can I visit the Exchange before or after my recruit’s graduation?

R1. The Exchange will be made available to graduation attendees before and after the graduation ceremony from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Q7. Do I have to be vaccinated to attend my recruit’s graduation?

R1. No, however we will enforce strict PPE and social distancing guidelines for all visitors on base in order to maintain the safety of our recruit and staff population. See top of page for the details.