Eagle's primary mission is to develop the future officers of the U.S. Coast Guard. Since 1946, she has deployed each summer with cadet on board as part of their Academy curriculum. As soon as the cadets complete their final exams in May of each year, Eagle departs with roughly half of the third-class cadets (the rising sophomores) and a small contingent of first-lass cadet cadre (rising seniors who lead the third-class cadets). Six weeks later, the cadets on board rotate to other training locations. All cadets at the Academy will normally complete a minimum of six weeks on board Eagle during their fourth and third class years.