Branch: U.S. Coast Guard
Location: Cape May, New Jersey
Installation Type: Training Center
Status: Active

Overview

Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (TRACEN Cape May) is located in Cape May, New Jersey, at the southern tip of the Cape May Peninsula on the Delaware Bay. TRACEN Cape May is the sole enlisted Coast Guard basic training facility – the “Boot Camp” for all enlisted Coast Guard recruits. Every Coast Guard enlisted member who joins the service goes through the 8-week Recruit Training Program at Cape May. The installation has been the home of Coast Guard recruit training since 1948. Cape May itself is one of America’s most charming Victorian seaside resort towns, listed as a National Historic Landmark for its extraordinary collection of Victorian architecture.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Conduct Recruit Training for all U.S. Coast Guard enlisted recruits; transform approximately 5,000 civilians annually into Coast Guard members through the 8-week basic training program.
  • Major Units: Recruit Training Command (RTC Cape May) headquarters; multiple Recruit Training Squadrons; TRACEN Cape May Support Command
  • Tenant Units: Cape May Station (operational boats at the inlet); various Coast Guard support elements; Maritime Law Enforcement Academy elements

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: Cape May, NJ (population approximately 2,900, the resort town) immediately adjacent; Wildwood – approximately 5 miles north; Atlantic City, NJ – approximately 45 miles north; Philadelphia, PA – approximately 90 miles north; New York City – approximately 160 miles north
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) – approximately 50 miles north; Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – approximately 90 miles north; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – approximately 140 miles north
  • Gate Access: Main gate; CAC/military ID required; recruit family access coordinated for graduation weeks; Cape May graduation ceremonies are family access events

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 1,200 (permanent party; large recruit population of approximately 1,500-2,000 at any time)
  • Family Members: Approximately 1,200 (permanent party families; recruits are unaccompanied)
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 300
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 2,700 (plus recruit population)

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Coast Guard Clinic; primary care; specialty referrals to Cape Regional Health System (Cape May Court House, approximately 15 miles north) or AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City (45 miles north); Cape May area medical access is limited
  • Commissary: Yes – commissary on base; essential given Cape May’s remote resort location and limited grocery options
  • Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Coast Guard Exchange and facilities
  • Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; Cape May’s extraordinary Victorian resort town environment; Atlantic Ocean beaches; Delaware Bay beaches; birding (Cape May is among the world’s premier migratory bird watching locations); Victorian architecture walks; historic lighthouse; whale and dolphin watching; cycling; Cape May-Lewes Ferry to Delaware
  • Schools: Cape May City School District (very small) and Cape May County School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Cape May County schools are generally adequate for a small rural county; Middle Township School District (Cape May Court House, 15 miles) is larger and more resourced; military families with older children often commute to Middle Township; limited extracurricular options compared to suburban areas
  • Childcare: Child Development Center on base; limited capacity; register early; off-base childcare options are extremely limited in the Cape May resort area
  • Veterinary Services: Limited on-base; local Cape May County veterinarians available
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Coast Guard JAG support available; appointment-based

Housing

  • On-Post Housing: Government quarters on base; family housing neighborhoods; condition generally good; on-base housing is strongly preferred given Cape May’s very limited and expensive private housing market (resort town premium)
  • Average Wait Time: Can be significant given small installation and limited inventory; apply as early as possible
  • Off-Post Housing: Cape May, Cape May Court House, Rio Grande, Wildwood, and Cape May County communities; resort town real estate is expensive relative to local economy; average rent approximately $1,800-$2,800/month for 3-bedroom home; Cape May has some of the most historically protected Victorian housing in the nation; New Jersey has no state income tax exemption for military pay
  • BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); Cape May BAH reflects South Jersey coastal resort costs

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; TRACEN Cape May sponsorship programs; Cape May assignment is unusual and the resort town setting requires orientation
  • In-Processing: TRACEN Cape May in-processing; typically 2-3 days; recruit training command orientation for incoming staff
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Work-Life Staff; enrollment required; Cape May area medical access is limited; Philadelphia (90 miles) and Atlantic City area hospitals for specialist needs; CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 90 miles) is one of the world’s best children’s hospitals for complex pediatric cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Humid subtropical/humid continental transition (maritime influence); warm summers (average high 82F/28C in July); cold winters (average low 30F/-1C in January); significant Nor’easter risk; ocean moderates extremes somewhat; shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are very pleasant; Cape May is at its most beautiful in autumn with Victorian architecture and fall birding
  • Cost of Living: Moderate to high; Cape May resort area real estate is expensive; New Jersey in general is an expensive state; grocery and services reasonable; New Jersey state income tax applies (one of the nation’s highest)
  • Nearby Attractions: Cape May Victorian Historic District (National Historic Landmark, extraordinary collection of Victorian architecture, gaslit streets, bed-and-breakfasts); Cape May Lighthouse State Park; Cape May Point (three-ocean views, whale watching, birding); Cape May Bird Observatory (world-class fall hawk migration observatory); Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay beaches; Wildwood Boardwalk amusement rides (5 miles); Atlantic City casinos (45 miles); Philadelphia cultural amenities (90 miles, world-class); Delaware via Cape May-Lewes Ferry; New York City day trips (160 miles)
  • Spouse Employment: Very limited in Cape May resort area; seasonal hospitality/tourism employment (significant in summer); Cape May Court House and Rio Grande offer some healthcare and service employment; Atlantic City (45 miles) for broader employment; Philadelphia (90 miles) for significant employment; remote work common given limited local options; Work-Life assists; the Cape May experience is considered a unique quality-of-life trade-off

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/SILC/Training-Center-Cape-May/; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/coast-guard-training-center-cape-may; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedStatesCoastGuardTrainingCenterCape_May

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