Recruit Journal

“Glorious Divinity” 23Sep

Finally it was here! The day had come! Sunday morning arrived nice and slowly, way too slowly for your favorite company that starts with an “F” and ends in 187. Sunday means divine hours, a time where a recruit can lean back, relax and kick his/her feet up, of course, not a recruit at Cape May however. Divine hours were inbound at 0800, so after our loving Company Commander got us out of bed, we headed off to chow. Chow is usually progressed in a few steps. First, is getting in the galley and get your daily fuel. Then, quickly and efficiently get to your seat, eat, and get out while trying to avoid the “CC table” in order to not become a meal for Senior Chief Ashley. Today was different with the silent and content CC table. No yelling? I can walk easy? Yup! Afterwards divine hours began: shining boon dockers, reading mail, ironing uniforms, organizing racks and much more. A peaceful time for Foxtrot to talk, laugh, and converse…of course while performing maintenance that is. Yet another shocker, we did “okay” according to MK1 Perez as he complimented our marching and formations. Be that after a stern 20 minute lecture. But still a compliment none the less or so we keep telling ourselves. Tomorrow we are responsible for looking like a week 07 Company.  For those of you keeping track, Foxtrot is entering week 03. 03 equals week 07? I won’t question MK1 Perez, lest he bring down his divine wrath or incentive training for backtalk. Come on Sunday, hurry back! 

“Inspection Day” 24Sep

Today was a very long day.  It wasn’t too bad it felt like the first day of real training. We started off the day with a nice run of course, but once we were dressed and ready for the day we learned we would be heading to the gym to try out the mustang suits. Mustang suits for those of you who don’t know, it’s a huge full head to toe zip up suit that allows people to survive in freezing water for a few hours, and if worn properly it could save your life. As Foxtrot-187 slipped on the heavy suits, it began to feel real; like we were getting somewhere but of course all good things must come to an end. Someone smiled and was spotted by Petty Officer Phillips our “real” feeling turned into “Put your ink stick on the deck in front of you” “ Aye, Aye, Petty Officer Phillips”, “Now pick it up” “Aye, aye, Petty Officer Phillips”. After we moved past that part of our day it was time to get ready for our inspection with the Battalion Commander, our Section Commander, and the various other Section Commanders around the Regiment. We all knew a lot of men would be screamin’ in our faces asking us our required knowledge. We all ran around like chickens with our heads cut off, not knowing how anything was going to play out. The Recruit Attitude and Motivation Program or RAMP as its known here, list was being sent in so we knew we had to be on our “A” game or we would be put through serious incentive training all day for three days straight! As the group of vicious looking men came into our squad bays we began to panic. In the end it wasn’t too bad for most of us. In the end we lost a few shipmates, but the Foxtrot train must go on.  

“There’s no me in team” 25SEP

Its human nature to worry about one’s self but today Foxtrot-187 stepped up from the selfish people we were being and we came together as a team. Get this, we were even complimented by Petty Officer Perez (our lead Company Commander) He’s a little impressed by how fast we’ve taken to marching. We really did have a great day. Instead of doing incentive training with our rifles, we learned some useful moves to make us look sharp. We had an awesome class on history of the Coast Guard taught by BM1 Phillips, who knew history could be so cool! As the night went on, we gained two new shipmates, a female and a male. Awesome people and we’re so glad they have joined our Foxtrot family. 

“Expectations”26Sep

As the time passes here in Recruit Training, Foxtrot 187 is doing so much better when it comes to running. Recruits have been putting forth so much effort in cutting their timed mile and a half. Physically things are becoming easier, our bodies are adjusting to the bike workouts, runs, gym workouts, core strengthing class and the various self discipline workouts our Company Commanders see fit. Today we were informed by our lead Company Commander we’ll be marching in graduation for Charlie-187. We’re all so excited! Petty Officer Perez expects us to be the best company on the field. “My expectations are now expected to be yours” Needless to say, we are determined not to let him down! 

“Munro’s Memorial Day”27Sep

Today is a day we all remember Douglas Munro, a great noble hero who gave his life to defend our beloved country, all of its people, but specifically a group of 500 marines off the Guada Canal. The undiscovered hero was in charge of a group boats with the sole instruction to drive his boats up on the beach to save the overwhelmed Marines from the onslaught brought by the Japanese. In his devotion to duty, Douglas positioned his boat between the Marines and the Japanese in order to divert the Japanese fire. In his selfless act of bravery, Munro lost his life. Douglas Munro was the only Coast Guardsman to be awarded the medal of honors in honor, the entire Training Center devoted 15 minutes to go and stand and listen to wise words from our Commanding Officer, Captain Kelly. 

“One goes out, another comes in”28Sep

Time flies. It really does. Faster than a HC-130, which we learned about in class. Charlie-187 graduated today. With Bravo 187gone almost instantly after our arrival. Foxtrot-187 had its first realization that, “Hey! We are going to be there like them soon.” Truthfully having civilians on the Regiment was interesting, they looked at us as if we were the new kid in class. Although Foxtrot is still just getting its’ feet wet, we definitely aren’t fresh out of the box like Gulf or Hotel. Seeing the newest Company run around without any military bearing makes one giggle, until you realize that was us a bit ago. Yet suddenly we come to find ourselves on the front door of week Four. The aspects of Boot-Camp are becoming easier; furthermore the little things are still being missed. Why yes, we are still paying for our mistakes as a whole, graduation will keep coming closer and soon, just as Charlie-187, Foxtrot will be bellowing over the Regiment…”Nah , nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, we’re going home.