Coast Guard Recruit Company Bravo 186 weekly journal posted Jan 25, 2012

BRAVO 186 Week 7 Blog

       It took six weeks, but we finally earned our colors. Marching has taken on a new element, cadence singing. We may not be musically inclined, generally speaking, but we sing our hearts out.

      The excitement of getting our colors was quickly stripped, and we had a staring contest with the drill hall bulkheads that same night.

      The classroom has always been something of an oasis for us, and we spent most of Monday learning about CPR and first aid. Our relaxed attitudes vanished when a fire alarm sounded while we were showering. We had no choice but to run outside with whatever mismatched clothes we could find. The wind was like ice as we stood outside, sockless and covered in soap. However, we all agreed it was an entertaining way to end the day.

      The weather here is unpredictable at best. We wake up to snow and ice one morning, rain the next, and often find ourselves in comfortable sunshine. Most of us would be content to avoid the cold weather altogether. Bad weather leaves us in doors all day, and it becomes more tiresome.

      When the rain passed on Tuesday, a massive rainbow cut the sky and raised our downtrodden attitudes. Seeing the geese, sunrises, sunsets and the cape may night skies all help in balancing our stressed minds. If boot camp does anything, it gives a person gratitude for things taken for granted.

      Our close order drill test finally came, and we were more than ready for it. As our company commanders tell us "One thing Bravo knows, that's how to march." We received a perfect score. Around Cape May. One challenge is followed by another. We set our focus on the final exam, which we took on Friday. The hardest thing academically speaking, is staying awake in class.

      Off base liberty came on Saturday, and it was everything we thought it would be. Awesome! We watched movies, ate bad food, and slept. We aren’t sure what to expect in week 08, but we continue to be Semper Paratus! Graduation here we come.

                        Strange days are behind us.

                        We've shot the gauntlet through.

                        We've sought life and salvation,

                        He's made our souls true.

                        Into the change we stretch

                        Across the unknown

                        To take part in adventure,

                        And traverse the blue foam.

                                    -SR MCMAHON, M.B.