Coast Guard Training Adapts to Frigid Weather

Training Center-Cape May moves exercises indoors during cold snaps

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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When the area experiences frigid temperatures, the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center-Cape May in New Jersey moves its exercises and marching drills indoors to ensure the safety of its trainees. According to Chief Warrant Officer-4 Mike Lutz, the center's public information officer, training never stops, even in inclement weather, and is simply shifted to the gym or other indoor locations with enough space.

Why it matters

The Coast Guard Training Center-Cape May is responsible for training new recruits, and ensuring their safety and ability to continue training is critical, even in extreme weather conditions. The center's adaptability to move training indoors during cold snaps demonstrates its commitment to providing a high-quality training experience for future Coast Guard members.

The details

The training center will stagger the schedules of its eight training companies to fit them all in the gym during cold weather. Anything that can be shifted indoors, such as close-order drill training which includes marching and other structured movements, will be moved to ensure the safety of the trainees.

  • The area recently experienced an Arctic cold snap.

The players

U.S. Coast Guard Training Center-Cape May

The training center responsible for preparing new recruits to join the U.S. Coast Guard.

Mike Lutz

Chief Warrant Officer-4 and the public information officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center-Cape May.

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What they’re saying

“Hot weather, cold weather, they are both inclement weather, and either way the training never stops.”

— Mike Lutz, Chief Warrant Officer-4 and Public Information Officer (capemaycountyherald.com)

The takeaway

The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center-Cape May demonstrates its commitment to providing high-quality training for new recruits by quickly adapting its programs to ensure the safety and continuity of training, even in extreme weather conditions.