Recruit Journal

29JUN12-07JUl12

 Zulu-186 was officially formed as a company of 29JUN12.  We were picked up by our company commanders in a ceremony that included the Commanding officer Captain Kelly.  Zulu's Lead company commander is GMC Werner.  She is assisted by PO Byrd, PO Perez, and PO Wasowski.  None of us knew what to expect as out indoctrination weekend began.  It was quickly obvious that Zulu needed to learn how to sound off.  We got our first introduction to incentive training.  The yelling and screaming left us feeling like we couldn't do anything right.  We went to bed tired and sore wondering how bad the next day was going to be. We woke up to "Fire, Fire, Fire!"  There wasn't actually a fire.  It just means we jump out of bed and run outside for some incentive training to start the day.  We went to the exchange to get some extra items.  The females stocked up on get as our hair is expected to be gelled into a helmet.  Recruits from a later week of training helped us learn to properly set them up but it wasn't bad.  We finally got a bit of a breather on Sunday during divine hours.  Some went to religious services to get a break from the stress of indoc weekend.  Good knowing we were officially done with week 01. 

 Monday brought the start of week 02.  We were feeling pretty down as we struggled to remember required knowledge.  However we are beginning to make some time objectives, so that is a small confidence boost.  The fourth of July passed without much fanfare.  We practiced marching and learned some new commands.  As we will march in Uniform-186's Graduation on Friday.  We got our pieces today as well and began practicing manual of arms.  Our pieces are 09 pound rifles (unoperational of course,).  The best part of the day was right before we went to bed we finally got mail! I don't know about the males but the females shed some tears as we read your letters.  Please keep writing we need all the support and encouragement we can get to make it through these next weeks of boot.  We miss you all very much and we are working hard to make you proud.  Thursday we had the swim assessment.  Most of us passed easily but some of us will be attending remedial swim for at least the next 02 weeks.  Chief Werner gave us some time to iron a uniform and shin our boon Dockers so that we look good during graduation.  Friday started off very well as we prepared to march in Graduation which was an extremely cool experience.  All the families of uniform company cheered us on as we marched passed the stands.  It was a great feeling.  Chief Werner informed us that while we still had a lot of improvements to make we did receive a few compliments.  Unfortunately, we lost our discipline and the day went downhill from there.  We did a lot of incentive training and once again it seemed like we couldn’t do anything right.  After class on watch standing we began learning how to stand a watch in Healy Hall by shadowing a more senior company.  On Saturday we met our company mentor Captain McKenna. He talked to us about life in the Coast Guard and answered our questions.  We worked a lot on manual of arms today as we have been asked to march in the sunset parade on Sunday.  Unfortunately, we also did a lot of incentive training because a few of our shipmates did not have self discipline.  It gets extremely frustrating when we all get punished for the mistakes of one or two people.  But Zulu company is a team and we need to learn to act like one.  Sunday was very relaxed compared to Saturday.  We had divine hours and manual of arms practice for the parade.  Many people are still struggling with the movements; the parade itself went fairly well.  Chief Werner once again that while we still have a lot of improvements to make we did pretty well.  It's hard to believe week 02 is over.  We are 1/4 of the way through boot camp.  The weeks really do fly.