The U.S. Coast Guard graduated 64 new recruits from basic training today at Camp May, New Jersey, but is rescheduling the shipment of new recruits to boot camp as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
According to a release from the sea service, this is the “most recent and significant series of precautions the Coast Guard has initiated at Training Center Cape May and our other training centers to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 threat.”
Other precautionary steps that the Coast Guard is taking during basic training include randomized on-the-spot health screenings; roving medical personnel; individually packaged meals; increased cleaning of all facilities after usage; and the reduction of some training events after consultation with medical staff. There are currently 254 recruits in boot camp right now.
The new graduates will be assigned to cutters and other units. Fifty-eight of the graduates are active duty and six are members of the Coast Guard Reserve.
The graduates not able to travel to their assignments due to local COVID-19 restrictions will remain at the Cape May training center, according to the release.
The pause in new recruit travel will remain in place for a minimum of three weeks. Those recruits will remain in a delayed-entry status. Local recruiters will work to reschedule basic training for the recruits.
“Out of an abundance of caution and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, I have directed the temporary rescheduling of receiving new recruits at Training Center Cape May,” said Rear Adm. Brian Penoyer of Force Readiness Command. “The health and safety of our personnel is our priority.”
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