CHAPTER 19 - COAST GUARD ACADEMY

Title 14 > CHAPTER 19

Sections (28)

§ 1901 Administration of Academy

The immediate government and military command of the Coast Guard Academy shall be in the Superintendent of the Academy, subject to the direction of the Commandant under the general supervision of the Secretary. The Commandant may select a superintendent from the active list of the Coast Guard who shall serve in the pleasure of the Commandant. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 508 , § 181; renumbered § 1901, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1902 Academy policy and report on covered misconduct

(a) Required Policy.— The Commandant shall direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to prescribe a policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence applicable to the cadets and other personnel of the Academy.

(b) Matters To Be Specified in Policy.— The policy on sexual harassment and sexual violence under this section shall include specification of the following: Programs to promote awareness of the incidence of rape, acquaintance rape, and other sexual offenses of a criminal nature that involve cadets or other Academy personnel. Information about how the Coast Guard and the Academy will protect the confidentiality of victims of sexual harassment or sexual violence, including how any records, statistics, or reports intended for public release will be formatted such that the confidentiality of victims is not jeopardized. Procedures that cadets and other Academy personnel should follow in the case of an occurrence of sexual harassment or sexual violence, including— if the victim chooses to report an occurrence of sexual harassment or sexual violence, a specification of the individual or individuals to whom the alleged offense should be reported and options for confidential reporting, including written information to be given to victims that explains how the Coast Guard and the Academy will protect the confidentiality of victims; a specification of any other individual whom the victim should contact; and procedures on the preservation of evidence potentially necessary for proof of criminal sexual assault. Procedures for disciplinary action in cases of criminal sexual assault involving a cadet or other Academy personnel. Sanctions authorized to be imposed in a substantiated case of sexual harassment or sexual violence involving a cadet or other Academy personnel, including with respect to rape, acquaintance rape, or other criminal sexual offense, whether forcible or nonforcible. Required training on the policy for all cadets and other Academy personnel who process allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence involving a cadet or other Academy personnel.

(c) Assessment.— The Commandant shall direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy to conduct at the Coast Guard Academy during each Academy program year an assessment to determine the effectiveness of the policies of the Academy with respect to covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy. For the assessment at the Academy under paragraph (1) with respect to an Academy program year that begins in an odd-numbered calendar year, the Superintendent shall conduct a survey of cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy— to measure the incidence, during such program year— of covered misconduct events, on or off the Academy campus, that have been reported to an official of the Academy; of covered misconduct events, on or off the Academy campus, that have not been reported to an official of the Academy; and of retaliation related to a report of a covered misconduct event, on or off the Academy campus; and to assess the perceptions of the cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy with respect to— the Academy’s policies, training, and procedures on covered misconduct involving cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy; the enforcement of such policies; the incidence of covered misconduct involving cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy; and any other issues relating to covered misconduct involving cadets and other military and civilian personnel of the Academy.

(d) Report.— Not earlier than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and each March 1 thereafter through March 1, 2031 , the Commandant shall direct the Superintendent to submit to the Commandant a report on incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military and civilian personnel of the Academy. Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include the following: Information and data on all incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation described in paragraph (1) reported to the Superintendent or any other official of the Academy during the preceding Academy program year (referred to in this subsection as a “reported incident”), The number of reported incidents committed against a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy. The number of reported incidents committed by a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy. Information on reported incidents, in accordance with the policy prescribed under section 549G(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 ( 10 U.S.C. 1561 note), to the maximum extent practicable. The number of reported incidents that were entered into the Catch a Serial Offender system, including the number of such incidents that resulted in the identification of a potential or confirmed match. The number of reported incidents that were substantiated (referred to in this subsection as a “substantiated reported incident”). A synopsis of each substantiated reported incident that includes— a brief description of the nature of the incident; whether the accused cadet or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy had previously been convicted of sexual assault; and whether alcohol or other controlled or prohibited substances were involved in the incident, and a description of the involvement. The type of case disposition associated with each substantiated reported incident, such as— conviction and sentence by court-martial, including charges and specifications for which convicted; acquittal of all charges at court-martial; as appropriate, imposition of a nonjudicial punishment under section 815 of title 10 (article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); as appropriate, administrative action taken, including a description of each type of such action imposed; dismissal of all charges, including a description of each reason for dismissal and the stage at which dismissal occurred; and whether the accused cadet or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy was administratively separated or, in the case of an officer, allowed to resign in lieu of court martial, and the characterization (honorable, general, or other than honorable) of the service of the military member upon separation or resignation. With respect to any incident of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military and civilian personnel of the Academy reported to the Superintendent or any other official of the Academy during the preceding Academy program year that involves a report of retaliation relating to the incident— a narrative description of the retaliation claim; the nature of the relationship between the complainant and the individual accused of committing the retaliation; and the nature of the relationship between the individual accused of committing the covered misconduct and the individual accused of committing the retaliation. With respect to any investigation of a reported incident— whether the investigation is in open or completed status; an identification of the investigating entity; whether a referral has been made to outside law enforcement entities; in the case of an investigation that is complete, a description of the results of such an investigation and information with respect to whether the results of the investigation were provided to the complainant; and whether the investigation substantiated an offense under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice). With respect to the information and data required under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall report such information and data separately for each type of covered misconduct offense, and shall not aggregate the information and data for multiple types of covered misconduct offenses. Subject to subsection (f), beginning on the date of enactment of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, each report required under paragraph (1) shall include an analysis of trends in incidents described in paragraph (1), as applicable, since the date of enactment of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–213 ). Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, for the preceding Academy program year, a description of the policies, procedures, processes, initiatives, investigations (including overarching investigations), research, or studies implemented by the Commandant in response to any incident described in paragraph (1) involving a cadet or any other military or civilian personnel of the Academy. Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include a plan for actions to be taken during the year following the Academy program year covered by the report to enhance the prevention of and response to incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy. Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the adequacy of covered misconduct prevention and response carried out by the Academy during the preceding Academy program year. Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, for incidents of covered misconduct and retaliation for reporting of covered misconduct involving cadets or other military or civilian personnel of the Academy— an analysis of the factors that may have contributed to such incidents; an assessment of the role of such factors in contributing to such incidents during such Academy program year; and recommendations for mechanisms to eliminate or reduce such contributing factors. Each report under paragraph (1) for an Academy program year that begins in an odd-numbered calendar year shall include the results of the survey conducted under subsection (c)(2) in such Academy program year. For each Academy program year with respect to which the Superintendent is not required to conduct a survey at the Academy under subsection (c)(2), the Commandant shall require focus groups to be conducted at the Academy for the purpose of ascertaining information relating to covered misconduct issues at the Academy. Not later than 270 days after the date on which the Commandant receives a report from the Superintendent under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, as an enclosure or appendix to the report required by section 5112 1 — the report of the Superintendent; the comments of the Commandant with respect to the report; and relevant information gathered during a focus group under subparagraph (A) 2 during the Academy program year covered by the report, as applicable. Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Commandant submits a report under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall provide a briefing on the report submitted under subparagraph (A) to— the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(e) Victim Confidentiality.— To the extent that information collected or reported under the authority of this section, such information shall be provided in a form that is consistent with applicable privacy protections under Federal law and does not jeopardize the confidentiality of victims.

(f) Continuity of Data and Reporting.— In carrying out this section, the Commandant shall ensure the continuity of data collection and reporting such that the ability to analyze trends is not compromised.

(g) Consideration of Request for Transfer of Cadet Who Is the Victim of Sexual Assault or Related Offense.— The Commandant shall provide for timely consideration of and action on a request submitted by a cadet appointed to the Coast Guard Academy who is the victim of an alleged sexual assault or other offense covered by section 920, 920c, or 930 of title 10 (article 120, 120c, or 130 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) for transfer to another military service academy or to enroll in a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated with another institution of higher education. The Commandant, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish policies to carry out this subsection that— provide that the Superintendent shall ensure that any cadet who has been appointed to the Coast Guard Academy is informed of the right to request a transfer pursuant to this subsection, and that any formal request submitted by a cadet who alleges an offense referred to in paragraph (1) is processed as expeditiously as practicable through the chain of command for review and action by the Superintendent; direct the Superintendent, in coordination with the Superintendent of the military service academy to which the cadet requests to transfer— to take action on a request for transfer under this subsection not later than 5 calendar days after receiving the formal request from the cadet; to approve such request for transfer unless there are exceptional circumstances that require denial of the request; upon approval of such request for transfer, to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the transfer of the cadet to the military service academy concerned as expeditiously as possible, subject to the considerations described in clause (iv); and in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the military service academy concerned, to take into account— the preferences of the cadet, including any preference to delay transfer until the completion of any academic course in which the cadet is enrolled at the time of the request for transfer; and the well-being of the cadet; and direct the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, in coordination with the Secretary of the military department that sponsors the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the institution of higher education to which the cadet requests to transfer— to take action on a request for transfer under this subsection not later than 5 calendar days after receiving the formal request from the cadet; subject to the cadet’s acceptance for admission to the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer, to approve such request for transfer unless there are exceptional circumstances that require denial of the request; to take all necessary and appropriate action to effectuate the cadet’s enrollment in the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer and to process the cadet for participation in the relevant Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program as expeditiously as possible, subject to the considerations described in clause (iv); and in determining the transfer date of the cadet to the institution of higher education to which the cadet wishes to transfer, to take into account— the preferences of the cadet, including any preference to delay transfer until the completion of any academic course in which the cadet is enrolled at the time of the request for transfer; and the well-being of the cadet. If the Superintendent denies a request for transfer under this subsection, the cadet may request review of the denial by the Secretary, who shall take action on such request for review not later than 5 calendar days after receipt of such request. The Secretary shall ensure that all records of any request, determination, transfer, or other action under this subsection remain confidential, consistent with applicable law and regulation. A cadet who transfers under this subsection may retain the cadet’s appointment to the Coast Guard Academy or may be appointed to the military service academy to which the cadet transfers without regard to the limitations and requirements set forth in sections 7442, 8454, and 9442 of title 10. Upon graduation, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy who transferred to that academy under this subsection is entitled to be accepted for appointment as a permanent commissioned officer in the Regular Coast Guard in the same manner as graduates of the Coast Guard Academy, as set forth in section 2101 of this title . A cadet who transfers under this subsection to the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy and indicates a preference pursuant to clause (ii) may be appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated. A cadet seeking appointment as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated under clause (i) shall, before graduating from that academy, indicate to the Commandant that the cadet has a preference for appointment to that armed force. The Commandant shall consider a preference of a cadet indicated pursuant to clause (ii), but may require the cadet to serve as a permanent commissioned officer in the Regular Coast Guard instead of being appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with the academy from which the cadet graduated. With respect to a service agreement entered into under section 1925 of this title by a cadet who transfers under this subsection to the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Naval Academy and is appointed as a commissioned officer in an armed force associated with that academy, the service obligation undertaken under such agreement shall be considered to be satisfied upon the completion of 5 years of active duty service in the service of such armed force. A cadet who transfers under this subsection to a Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program affiliated with another institution of higher education is entitled upon graduation from the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training program to commission into the Coast Guard, as set forth in section 3738a of this title .

(h) Room Reassignment.— Coast Guard Academy cadets may request room reassignment if experiencing discomfort due to Coast Guard Academy rooming assignments, consistent with policy.

§ 1903 Annual Board of Visitors

(a) In General.— A Board of Visitors to the Coast Guard Academy is established to review and make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.

(b) Membership.— The membership of the Board shall consist of the following: The chairperson of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson. The chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, or a member of such Committee designated by such chairperson. 3 Senators appointed by the Vice President. 4 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 2 Senators appointed by the Vice President, each of whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. 2 Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall be selected from among members of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 6 individuals designated by the President. If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(C) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations of the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die. If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(D) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over the authorization of appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die. If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(E) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die. If any member of the Board described in paragraph (1)(F) is not appointed by the date that is 180 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the chair and ranking member of the subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over appropriations for the Coast Guard shall be members of the Board until the date on which the second session of such Congress adjourns sine die. On a biennial basis and subject to paragraph (4), the Board shall select from among the members of the Board a Member of Congress to serve as the Chair of the Board. A Member of the House of Representatives and a Member of the Senate shall alternately be selected as the Chair of the Board. An individual may not serve as Chairperson of the Board for consecutive terms. A Member of Congress designated as a member of the Board under paragraph (1) shall be designated as a member in the first session of the applicable Congress and shall serve for the duration of such Congress. Each individual designated by the President under paragraph (1)(G) shall serve as a member of the Board for 3 years, except that any such member whose term of office has expired shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed by the President. If a member of the Board dies or resigns, a successor shall be designated for any unexpired portion of the term of the member by the official who designated the member.

(c) Academy Visits.— The Commandant shall invite each member of the Board, and any staff designated under subsection (e)(2)(A), to visit the Coast Guard Academy at least once annually to review the operation of the Academy. With the approval of the Secretary, the Board or any members of the Board in connection with the duties of the Board may— make visits to the Academy in addition to the visits described in paragraph (1); or consult with— the Superintendent of the Academy; or the faculty, staff, or cadets of the Academy. The Commandant shall ensure that the Board or any members of the Board who visits the Academy under this paragraph is provided reasonable access to the grounds, facilities, cadets, faculty, staff, and other personnel of the Academy for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Board.

(d) Scope of Review.— The Board shall review, with respect to the Academy— the state of morale and discipline, including with respect to prevention of, response to, and recovery from sexual assault and sexual harassment; recruitment and retention, including diversity, inclusion, and issues regarding women specifically; the curriculum; instruction; physical equipment, including infrastructure, living quarters, and deferred maintenance; fiscal affairs; and other matters relating to the Academy that the Board determines appropriate.

(e) Administrative Matters.— Not less frequently than annually, the Board shall meet at a location chosen by the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, to conduct the review required by subsection (d). The Federal officer designated under subsection (g)(1)(B) shall organize a meeting of the Board for the purposes of— selecting a Chairperson of the Board under subsection (b)(3); adopting an official charter for the Board, which shall establish the schedule of meetings of the Board; and any other matter such designated Federal officer or the Board considers appropriate. In scheduling a meeting of the Board, such designated Federal officer shall coordinate, to the greatest extent practicable, with the members of the Board to determine the date and time of the meeting. Not less than 30 days before each scheduled meeting of the Board, such designated Federal officer shall notify each member of the Board of the time, date, and location of the meeting. The chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives may each designate 1 staff member of each such Committees. Staff designated under subparagraph (A)— may attend and participate in visits and carry out consultations described under subsection (c)(1) and attend and participate in meetings described under paragraph (1); and may not otherwise carry out duties or take actions reserved to members of the Board under this section. If approved by the Secretary, the Board may consult with advisors in carrying out the duties of the Board under this section. Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Board conducts a meeting of the Board under paragraph (1), the Commandant, in consultation with the Board, shall submit a report on the actions of the Board during the meeting and the recommendations of the Board pertaining to the Academy to— the Secretary; the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives. Each report submitted under this paragraph shall be published on a publicly accessible website of the Coast Guard.

(f) Disclosure.— The Commandant and the Superintendent of the Academy shall ensure candid and complete disclosure to the Board, consistent with applicable laws relating to disclosure of information, with respect to— each issue described in subsection (d); and any other issue the Board or the Commandant considers appropriate.

(g) Coast Guard Support.— The Commandant shall— provide support to the Board, as Board considers necessary for the performance of the duties of the Board; designate a Federal officer to support the performance of the duties of the Board; and in cooperation with the Superintendent of the Academy, advise the Board of any institutional issues, consistent with applicable laws concerning the disclosure of information. Each member of the Board and each advisor consulted by the Board under subsection (e)(3) shall be reimbursed, to the extent permitted by law, by the Coast Guard for actual expenses incurred while engaged in duties as a member or advisor.

(h) Notification.— Not later than 30 days after the date on which the first session of each Congress convenes, the Commandant shall provide to the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chairperson and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the President notification of the requirements of this section.

§ 1904 Advisory Board on Women at the Coast Guard Academy

(a) In General.— The Superintendent of the Academy shall establish at the Coast Guard Academy an advisory board to be known as the Advisory Board on Women at the Coast Guard Academy (referred to in this section as the “Advisory Board”).

(b) Membership.— The Advisory Board shall be composed of not fewer than 12 current cadets of the Coast Guard Academy, including not fewer than 3 cadets from each current class.

(c) Appointment; Term.— Cadets shall serve on the Advisory Board pursuant to appointment by the Superintendent of the Academy. Appointments shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the swearing in of a new class of cadets at the Academy. The term of membership of a cadet on the Advisory Board shall be 1 academic year.

(d) Reappointment.— The Superintendent of the Academy may reappoint not more than 6 cadets from the previous term to serve on the Advisory Board for an additional academic year if the Superintendent of the Academy determines such reappointment to be in the best interests of the Coast Guard Academy.

(e) Meetings.— The Advisory Board shall meet with the Commandant at least once each academic year on the activities of the Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall meet in person with the Superintendent of the Academy not less than twice each academic year on the duties of the Advisory Board.

(f) Duties.— The Advisory Board shall identify opportunities and challenges facing cadets at the Academy who are women, including an assessment of culture, leadership development, and access to health care of cadets at the Academy who are women.

(g) Working Groups.— The Advisory Board may establish one or more working groups to assist the Advisory Board in carrying out its duties, including working groups composed in part of cadets at the Academy who are not current members of the Advisory Board.

(h) Reports and Briefings.— The Advisory Board shall regularly provide the Commandant and the Superintendent reports and briefings on the results of its duties, including recommendations for actions to be taken in light of such results. Such reports and briefings may be provided in writing, in person, or both.

§ 1905 Coast Guard Academy minority outreach team program

(a) In General.— There is established within the Coast Guard Academy a minority outreach team program (in this section referred to as the “Program”) under which officers, including minority officers and officers from territories and other possessions of the United States, who are Academy graduates may volunteer their time to recruit minority students and strengthen cadet retention through mentorship of cadets.

(b) Administration.— Not later than January 1, 2021 , the Commandant, in consultation with Program volunteers and Academy alumni that participated in prior programs at the Academy similar to the Program, shall appoint a permanent civilian position at the Academy to administer the Program by, among other things— overseeing administration of the Program; serving as a resource to volunteers and outside stakeholders; advising Academy leadership on recruitment and retention efforts based on recommendations from volunteers and outside stakeholders; establishing strategic goals and performance metrics for the Program with input from active volunteers and Academy leadership; and reporting annually to the Commandant on academic year and performance outcomes of the goals for the Program before the end of each academic year.

§ 1906 Participation in Federal, State, or other educational research grants

(a) In General.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the United States Coast Guard Academy may compete for and accept Federal, State, or other educational research grants, subject to the following limitations: No award may be accepted for the acquisition or construction of facilities. No award may be accepted for the routine functions of the Academy.

(b) Qualified Organizations.— The Commandant may— enter into a contract, cooperative agreement, lease, or licensing agreement with a qualified organization; allow a qualified organization to use, at no cost, personal property of the Coast Guard; and notwithstanding section 504, accept funds, supplies, and services from a qualified organization. Notwithstanding chapter 65 of title 31 and sections 3201 through 3205 of title 10, the Commandant may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1)(A) on a sole-source basis. The Commandant shall ensure that contributions under this subsection do not— reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Coast Guard, any of its employees, or any member of the armed forces to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; or compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, or any individual involved in such a program. For purposes of this subsection, employees or personnel of a qualified organization shall not be employees of the United States. In this subsection the term “qualified organization” means an organization— described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; and established by the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association solely for the purpose of supporting academic research and applying for and administering Federal, State, or other educational research grants on behalf of the Coast Guard Academy.

§ 1907 Coast Guard Academy Cadet Advisory Board

(a) Establishment.— The Commandant shall establish within the Coast Guard Academy an advisory board to be known as the “Coast Guard Academy Cadet Advisory Board” (in this section referred to as the “Advisory Board”).

(b) Membership.— The Advisory Board shall be composed of not fewer than 12 cadets of the Coast Guard Academy who are enrolled at the Coast Guard Academy at the time of appointment, including not fewer than 3 cadets from each class.

(c) Appointment.— Cadets shall be appointed to the Advisory Board by the Provost, in consultation with the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy. Cadets who are eligible for appointment to the Advisory Board shall submit an application for appointment to the Provost of the Coast Guard Academy, or a designee of the Provost, for consideration.

(d) Selection.— The Provost shall select eligible applicants who— are best suited to fulfill the duties described in subsection (g); and best represent the student body makeup at the Coast Guard Academy.

(e) Term.— Appointments shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the swearing in of a new class of cadets at the Coast Guard Academy. The term of membership of a cadet on the Advisory Board shall be 1 academic year.

(f) Meetings.— The Advisory Board shall meet in person with the Superintendent not less frequently than twice each academic year to discuss the activities of the Advisory Board.

(g) Duties.— The Advisory Board shall— identify challenges facing Coast Guard Academy cadets relating to— health and wellbeing; cadet perspectives and information with respect to sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention, response, and recovery at the Coast Guard Academy; and any other matter the Advisory Board considers important; discuss and propose possible solutions to such challenges, including improvements to leadership development at the Coast Guard Academy; and periodically review the efficacy of Coast Guard Academy academic, wellness, and other relevant programs and provide recommendations to the Commandant for improvement of such programs.

(h) Working Groups.— The Advisory Board shall establish a working group composed, at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of the Advisory Board and members of the Cadets Against Sexual Assault, or any similar successor organization, to assist the Advisory Board in carrying out the duties described in subsection (g)(1)(B). The Advisory Board may establish such other working groups (which may be composed, at least in part, of Coast Guard Academy cadets who are not current members of the Advisory Board) as the Advisory Board finds to be necessary to carry out duties of the Board, other than the duties described in subparagraph (A) or (C) of subsection (g)(1).

(i) Reporting.— Not less frequently than once per academic semester, the Advisory Board shall submit a report or provide a briefing to the Commandant and the Superintendent on the results of the activities carried out in furtherance of the duties of the Advisory Board described in subsection (g), including recommendations for actions to be taken based on such results. The Advisory Board shall transmit to the Commandant, through the Provost and the Superintendent, an annual report at the conclusion of each academic year, containing the information and materials presented to the Commandant, Superintendent, or both, during each brief provided during such academic year. Not later than 30 days after the receipt by the Commandant of a report under this subsection, the Commandant shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives any report or other materials provided to the Commandant and Superintendent under paragraph (1) and any other information related to the Advisory Board requested by the Committees.

§ 1908 Authorization for use of Coast Guard Academy facilities and equipment by covered foundations

(a) Authority.— Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, may authorize a covered foundation to use, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis as determined by the Secretary, facilities or equipment of the Coast Guard Academy.

(b) Prohibition.— The Secretary may not authorize any use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use may jeopardize the health, safety, or well-being of any member of the Coast Guard or cadet of the Coast Guard Academy.

(c) Limitations.— The Secretary may only authorize the use of facilities or equipment under subsection (a) if such use— is without any liability of the United States to the covered foundation; does not— affect the ability of any official or employee of the Coast Guard, or any member of the armed forces, to carry out any responsibility or duty in a fair and objective manner; compromise the integrity or appearance of integrity of any program of the Coast Guard, or any individual involved in any such program; or include the participation of any cadet of the Coast Guard Academy at an event of the covered foundation, other than participation of such a cadet in an honor guard; complies with any applicable ethics regulation; and has been reviewed and approved by an attorney of the Coast Guard.

(d) Issuance of Policies.— The Secretary shall issue Coast Guard policies to carry out this section.

(e) Briefing.— For any fiscal year in which the Secretary exercises the authority under subsection (a), not later than the last day of such fiscal year, the Commandant shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the number of events or activities of a covered foundation supported by such exercise of authority during the fiscal year.

(f) Covered Foundation Defined.— In this section, the term “covered foundation” means an organization that— is a charitable, educational, or civic nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and the Secretary determines operates exclusively to support— recruiting activities with respect to the Coast Guard Academy; parent or alumni development in support of the Coast Guard Academy; academic, leadership, or character development of Coast Guard Academy cadets; institutional development of the Coast Guard Academy; or athletics in support of the Coast Guard Academy.

§ 1909 Policy on hazing

(a) In General.— Subject to the approval of the Commandant, the Superintendent of the Academy shall issue and make available to the public written policies— subject to subsection (d), defining hazing; designed to prevent hazing; and prescribing dismissal, suspension, or other adequate punishment for violations.

(b) Effect of Request for Court-martial.— If a cadet who is charged with violating a policy issued under subsection (a), the penalty for which is or may be dismissal from the Academy, requests in writing a trial by a general court-martial, the cadet may not be dismissed for that offense except under sentence of such a court.

(c) Limitation.— A cadet dismissed from the Academy for hazing or bullying may not be reappointed to the Corps of Cadets, and is ineligible for appointment as commissioned 1 officer in a regular component of the Coast Guard, until the date that is 2 years after the date of the graduation of the class of the cadet.

(d) Definition of Hazing.— In developing the policies under subsection (a)(1), the Superintendent shall, to the maximum extent practicable, define the term “hazing” as the unauthorized assumption of authority by a cadet whereby another cadet suffers or is exposed to any cruelty, indignity, humiliation, hardship, or oppression, or the deprivation or abridgement of any right.

§ 1910 Concurrent jurisdiction at Coast Guard Academy

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may establish concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal Government and the State of Connecticut over the lands constituting the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, as necessary to facilitate the ability of the State of Connecticut and City of New London to investigate and prosecute any crimes cognizable under Connecticut law that are committed on such Coast Guard Academy property. (Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7246(a) , Dec. 18, 2025 , 139 Stat. 1730 .)

§ 1921 Corps of Cadets authorized strength

The number of cadets appointed annually to the Academy shall be as determined by the Secretary but the number appointed in any one year shall not exceed six hundred. (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(c)(1)(B) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4213 .)

§ 1922 Appointments

Appointments to cadetships shall be made under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, who shall determine age limits, methods of selection of applicants, term of service as a cadet before graduation, and all other matters affecting such appointments. In the administration of this section, the Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to insure 1 that female individuals shall be eligible for appointment and admission to the Coast Guard Academy, and that the relevant standards required for appointment, admission, training, graduation, and commissioning of female individuals shall be the same as those required for male individuals, except for those minimum essential adjustments in such standards required because of physiological differences between male and female individuals. (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(c)(1)(B) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4213 .)

§ 1923 Admission of foreign nationals for instruction; restrictions; conditions

(a) A foreign national may not receive instruction at the Academy except as authorized by this section.

(b) The President may designate not more than 36 foreign nationals whom the Secretary may permit to receive instruction at the Academy.

(c) A foreign national receiving instruction under this section is entitled to the same pay, allowances, and emoluments, to be paid from the same appropriations, as a cadet appointed pursuant to section 1922 of this title . A foreign national may receive instruction under this section only if his country agrees in advance to reimburse the United States, at a rate determined by the Secretary, for the cost of providing such instruction, including pay, allowances, and emoluments, unless a waiver therefrom has been granted to that country by the Secretary. Funds received by the Secretary for this purpose shall be credited to the appropriations bearing the cost thereof, and may be apportioned between fiscal years.

(d) A foreign national receiving instruction under this section is— not entitled to any appointment in the Coast Guard by reason of his graduation from the Academy; and subject to those regulations applicable to the Academy governing admission, attendance, discipline, resignation, discharge, dismissal, and graduation, except as may otherwise be prescribed by the Secretary.

§ 1924 Conduct

The Secretary may summarily dismiss from the Coast Guard any cadet who, during his cadetship, is found unsatisfactory in either studies or conduct, or may be deemed not adapted for a career in the Coast Guard. Cadets shall be subject to rules governing discipline prescribed by the Commandant. (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(c)(1)(C) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4214 .)

§ 1925 Agreement

(a) Each cadet shall sign an agreement with respect to the cadet’s length of service in the Coast Guard. The agreement shall provide that the cadet agrees to the following: That the cadet will complete the course of instruction at the Coast Guard Academy. That upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy the cadet— will accept an appointment, if tendered, as a commissioned officer of the Coast Guard; and will serve on active duty for at least five years immediately after such appointment. That if an appointment described in paragraph (2) is not tendered or if the cadet is permitted to resign as a regular officer before the completion of the commissioned service obligation of the cadet, the cadet— will accept an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard Reserve; and will remain in that reserve component until completion of the commissioned service obligation of the cadet.

(b) The Secretary may transfer to the Coast Guard Reserve, and may order to active duty for such period of time as the Secretary prescribes (but not to exceed four years), a cadet who breaches an agreement under subsection (a). The period of time for which a cadet is ordered to active duty under this paragraph may be determined without regard to section 651(a) of title 10 . A cadet who is transferred to the Coast Guard Reserve under paragraph (1) shall be transferred in an appropriate enlisted grade or rating, as determined by the Secretary. For the purposes of paragraph (1), a cadet shall be considered to have breached an agreement under subsection (a) if the cadet is separated from the Coast Guard Academy under circumstances which the Secretary determines constitute a breach by the cadet of the cadet’s agreement to complete the course of instruction at the Coast Guard Academy and accept an appointment as a commissioned officer upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy.

(c) The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Those regulations shall include— standards for determining what constitutes, for the purpose of subsection (b), a breach of an agreement under subsection (a); procedures for determining whether such a breach has occurred; and standards for determining the period of time for which a person may be ordered to serve on active duty under subsection (b).

(d) In this section, “commissioned service obligation”, with respect to an officer who is a graduate of the Academy, means the period beginning on the date of the officer’s appointment as a commissioned officer and ending on the sixth anniversary of such appointment or, at the discretion of the Secretary, any later date up to the eighth anniversary of such appointment.

(e) This section does not apply to a cadet who is not a citizen or national of the United States. In the case of a cadet who is a minor and who has parents or a guardian, the cadet may sign the agreement required by subsection (a) only with the consent of the parent or guardian.

(f) A cadet or former cadet who does not fulfill the terms of the obligation to serve as specified under section (a), or the alternative obligation imposed under subsection (b), shall be subject to the repayment provisions of section 303a(e) of title 37 .

§ 1926 Cadet applicants; preappointment travel to Academy

The Secretary is authorized to expend appropriated funds for selective preappointment travel to the Academy for orientation visits of cadet applicants. (Added Pub. L. 98–557, § 24(a) , Oct. 30, 1984 , 98 Stat. 2872 , § 181a; renumbered § 1926, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1927 Cadets; initial clothing allowance

The Secretary may prescribe a sum which shall be credited to each new cadet upon first admission to the Academy, to cover the cost of an initial clothing and equipment issue, which sum shall be deducted subsequently from the pay of such cadet. Each cadet discharged prior to graduation who is indebted to the United States on account of advances of pay to purchase required clothing and equipment shall be required to turn in to the Academy all clothing and equipment of a distinctively military nature to the extent required to discharge such indebtedness; and, if the value of such clothing and equipment so turned in does not cover the indebtedness incurred, then such indebtedness shall be canceled. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 508 , § 183; Aug. 22, 1951, ch. 340, § 3 , 65 Stat. 196 ; renumbered § 1927, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 ; Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], § 8506(a), Jan. 1, 2021 , 134 Stat. 4752 .)

§ 1928 Cadets; degree of bachelor of science

The Superintendent of the Academy may, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe, confer the degree of bachelor of science upon all graduates of the Academy and may, in addition, confer the degree of bachelor of science upon such other living graduates of the Academy as shall have met the requirements of the Academy for such degree. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 508 , § 184; renumbered § 1928, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1929 Cadets; appointment as ensign

The President may, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint as ensigns in the Coast Guard all cadets who shall graduate from the Academy. Ensigns so commissioned on the same date shall take rank according to their proficiency as shown by the order of their merit at date of graduation. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 508 , § 185; renumbered § 1929, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1930 Cadets: charges and fees for attendance; limitation

(a) Prohibition.— Except as provided in subsection (b), no charge or fee for tuition, room, or board for attendance at the Academy may be imposed unless the charge or fee is specifically authorized by a law enacted after October 5, 1994 .

(b) Exception.— The prohibition specified in subsection (a) does not apply with respect to any item or service provided to cadets for which a charge or fee is imposed as of October 5, 1994 . The Secretary shall notify Congress of any change made by the Academy in the amount of a charge or fee authorized under this subsection.

§ 1941 Civilian teaching staff

(a) The Secretary may appoint in the Coast Guard such number of civilian faculty members at the Academy as the needs of the Service may require. They shall have such titles and perform duties as prescribed by the Secretary. Leaves of absence and hours of work for civilian faculty members shall be governed by regulations promulgated by the Secretary, without regard to the provisions of title 5.

(b) The compensation of individuals employed under this section is as prescribed by the Secretary.

§ 1942 Permanent commissioned teaching staff; composition

The permanent commissioned teaching staff at the Academy shall consist of professors, associate professors, assistant professors and instructors, in such numbers as the needs of the Service require. They shall perform duties as prescribed by the Commandant, and exercise command only in the academic department of the Academy. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 509 , § 187; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(10) , May 14, 1960 , 74 Stat. 145 ; renumbered § 1942, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1943 Appointment of permanent commissioned teaching staff

The President may appoint in the Coast Guard, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, the professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors who are to serve on the permanent commissioned teaching staff of the Academy. An original appointment to the permanent commissioned teaching staff, unless the appointee has served as a civilian member of the teaching staff, regular commissioned officer, temporary commissioned officer, or reserve commissioned officer in the Coast Guard, shall be a temporary appointment until the appointee has satisfactorily completed a probationary term of four years of service; thereafter he may be regularly appointed and his rank shall date from the date of his temporary appointment in the grade in which permanently appointed. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 509 , § 188; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(11) , May 14, 1960 , 74 Stat. 145 ; Pub. L. 94–546, § 1(15) , Oct. 18, 1976 , 90 Stat. 2520 ; renumbered § 1943, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1944 Grade of permanent commissioned teaching staff

Professors shall be commissioned officers with grade not above captain, associate and assistant professors with grade not above commander, and instructors with grade not above lieutenant commander. All officers of the permanent commissioned teaching staff shall receive the pay and allowances of other commissioned officers of the same grade and length of service. When any such professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor is appointed or commissioned with grade less than the highest grade permitted, he shall be promoted under regulations prescribed by the Secretary. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 509 , § 189; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(12) , May 14, 1960 , 74 Stat. 145 ; renumbered § 1944, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1945 Retirement of permanent commissioned teaching staff

Professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors in the Coast Guard shall be subject to retirement or discharge from active service for any cause on the same basis as other commissioned officers of the Coast Guard, except that they shall not be required to retire from active service under the provisions of section 2149 of this title , nor shall they be subject to the provisions of section 2150 of this title , nor shall they be required to retire at age sixty-two but may be permitted to serve until age sixty-four at which time unless earlier retired or separated they shall be retired. The Secretary may retire any member of the permanent commissioned teaching staff who has completed thirty years’ active service. Service as a civilian member of the teaching staff at the Academy in addition to creditable service authorized by any other law in any of the military services rendered prior to an appointment as a professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor shall be credited in computing length of service for retirement purposes. The provisions of law relating to retirement for disability in line of duty shall not apply in the case of a professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor serving under a temporary appointment. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 509 , § 190; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(13) , May 14, 1960 , 74 Stat. 145 ; Pub. L. 88–130, § 1(8) , Sept. 24, 1963 , 77 Stat. 175 ; Pub. L. 89–444, § 1(10) , June 9, 1966 , 80 Stat. 196 ; Pub. L. 91–278, § 1(5) , June 12, 1970 , 84 Stat. 304 ; renumbered § 1945 and amended Pub. L. 115–282, title I , §§ 110(b), 123(b)(2), Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 , 4240.)

§ 1946 Credit for service as member of civilian teaching staff

Service as a member of the civilian teaching staff at the Academy in addition to creditable services authorized by any other law in any of the military services rendered prior to an appointment as professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor shall be credited in computing length of service as a professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor for purposes of pay and allowances. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 510 , § 191; Pub. L. 86–474, § 1(14) , May 14, 1960 , 74 Stat. 146 ; renumbered § 1946, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1947 Assignment of personnel as instructors

The Commandant may assign any member to appropriate instruction duty at the Academy. ( Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393 , 63 Stat. 510 , § 192; Pub. L. 98–557, § 15(a)(3)(H) , Oct. 30, 1984 , 98 Stat. 2865 ; renumbered § 1947, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)

§ 1948 Marine safety curriculum

The Commandant shall ensure that professional courses of study in marine safety are provided at the Coast Guard Academy, and during other officer accession programs, to give Coast Guard cadets and other officer candidates a background and understanding of the marine safety program. These courses may include such topics as program history, vessel design and construction, vessel inspection, casualty investigation, and administrative law and regulations. (Added Pub. L. 111–281, title V, § 525(a) , Oct. 15, 2010 , 124 Stat. 2959 , § 200; renumbered § 199 and amended Pub. L. 111–330, § 1(7)(A) , Dec. 22, 2010 , 124 Stat. 3569 ; Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3531(c)(11) , Aug. 13, 2018 , 132 Stat. 2320 ; renumbered § 1948, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 110(b) , Dec. 4, 2018 , 132 Stat. 4212 .)