YORKTOWN — The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown congratulated its most recent Electrician’s Mate A-school class Friday on completing its training to become Petty Officers and receiving their first duty station post-graduation.
According to the United States Coast Guard website, the Electrician’s Mate A-school training course is a 16-week intensive course of instruction designed to train non-rated personnel to perform the duties of a Coast Guard Third Class Electrician’s Mate.
The ceremony began with 8 a.m. colors, as students walked in formation to stand and prepare for the flag to be raised on the pole, followed by the National Anthem. A cannon was fired as well, as part of the Friday colors tradition.
Families were then invited over to the auditorium where the graduation ceremony would officially begin. This included awards passed out to students of merit in recognition for hard-earned achievements, including the recognition of an international student from Barbados.
Students then received their decorations as Petty Officers, with the honor of pinning the awards given to loved ones.
When completed, the graduates went back on stage for additional speeches by guest speakers before receiving their assignments and what base they would be reporting to.
Following the closing of the ceremony, the newly graduated Electrician’s Mates of A-school were allowed to celebrate their achievements with families, friends, and other supporters.
