New Coast Guard swabs report-in

New London, Connecticut (WTNH) - “Swab Summer” is officially underway. That's when the newest United States Coast Guard cadets -- the class of 2014 – report in at the Academy in New London.

" Reporting-In Day " kicks off a seven-week training program. The "swabs" are expected to get haircuts and uniforms, practice drills and complete administrative processing.

About 290 young men and women experience experience their first day at the Coast Guard Academy Monday, a fraction of the more than 4,500 students who applied.

From minute one they learn to follow orders and gather their gear.

Mike Vitrano, from Burlington, is one of nine cadet wannabes from Connecticut. Lorenda Alward, from Shelton, is also in his company.

“I mean it's pretty tough, but it's something I really wanted to do,” Vitrano said. “So I'm willing to do what it takes to get through the summer."

It will be a long summer of being pushed to their limits both physically and mentally. The cadres leading the companies were swabs themselves just two summers ago.

“It's definitely more intense than I ever thought it would be, so I kind of know…,” said Cadre J. Matthew Hurtt. “They're going into shock. They're breaking down. So it's to be expected to say the least."

Military life isn't for everyone. “There are definitely people already who have dropped out,” Cadre Hurtt explained.

During the first day, swabs will take a class picture, march onto Washington Parade Field, take their oath, and then they'll have ten minutes to say goodbye to their families.

Academy officials say the new cadets come from 39 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The academy is also admitting six international students from Ecuador, Lithuania, Singapore and Tunisia.