Coast Guard Recruit Company Hotel 186 weekly journal posted Feb 22, 2012

                                                        HOTEL 186 

                                                           13FEB12

Welcome to the daily life of the recruits of Hotel-186. Today is 13FEB12 the first day of Recruit Training following a few days of a wakeup call letting us know that we just started CG boot camp! After eating breakfast we had our first training at the gym. We were instructed on how to use the weightlifting equipment and then we had to record what our seat settings and weight we used. After that we had a Core class using only our body-weight lifting techniques. To say the least we are not as physically fit as we should be. However we are trying to improve each passing day. Our marching if slowly improving and we learned a few more movements. We are beginning to look more like a unit and less like a crowd of people walking in the same direction. We are eager to get better and our Company Commanders are critiquing each and every mistake, no matter how small. It’s good because our goal as a company is to be the best marching company in the Training Center. After dinner we had a class on the CG core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. This class really inspired us! We knew the definition and text book meaning but now we feel we are truly motivated to live by them.

14FEB12

Today we hit the gym again after a hearty breakfast to improve our core strength. The instructors made us use muscle that we didn’t know existed, but without pain there is no gain. Following lunch we had two new classes on communication and diversity in the Coast Guard. Instead of all being the same we are encourage to be individuals and accept others as the same. Here in Cape May is never a dull moment! After class we were put in our places again in ways that only our Company Commanders can think of. They have a certain way of getting more out of us then we thought we had.

15FEB12

As is the usual routine Hotel-186, we began the day early with a brisk physical fitness session. We ran one mile to gauge how prepared we were for the physical fitness test. Many of us were happy with our time but for those who were half-awake they will surely get the personal attention needed. Later we were back in the gym taking a spin class. We rode 10 miles on the stationary bike at a hurried pace. The company was a bit haggard after the first run in with the deceptive machines!!Who would have thought such an innocent looking machine could bring such pain? Well maybe our skilled instructors could have honed their true power. After that we had another two classes on ranks and how to address military personnel. We also received our “pieces”. These are demilitarized or non-firing rifles used for drills. They can also be used to enhance our physical training, or in other words make us more tired.

16FEB12

Another “beautiful day” here in Cape May with typical Northeast weather: cold, wet, and overcast, but this did not stop our Company Commanders from having a wide range of activities for us. Later we took our swim evaluations and the pool here is very impressive and thankfully it is kept at a warm 83degrees!! Later we had a class on the Coast Guard Work life Department. They showed us all the different programs to help service men and their dependents. We grabbed our pieces and our Company Commander showed us some maneuvers which is called Manual of Arms. Finally it was time to sleep so we ate our chewy bars and went to bed.

17FEB12

Today we were back in the gym only this time it was in the pool. Most people would think 78 people at a beautiful pool is like a nice party right?!! Not in the Coast Guard, it is all business. We swam laps after laps and then one more for good measure. Even through swimming is an individual sport you can see our shipmates (other recruits) encouraging and almost pulling others to the finish line. Our company is truly starting to find its voice and its place here at Cape May. Many of us are building trust and teamwork. These are some of the essential things that our Company Commanders are looking for. Hopefully these bonds will become strong and last a life time.

18FEB12

Time seem to be flying here at Cape May. As week two comes to a close we are starting to have the slight chance that we will graduate. Today we had the honor and privilege to meet our company mentor. He is Captain Weeden, Chaplin of the Coast Guard, a Cape May Graduate and now a highly decorated officer. His words were uplifting and powerful. He opened up the floor to questions, which he entertained for about one hour. All of us are looking forward to Sunday to recover. When we are pushed to our limits, what keeps us going is our families and love ones. On Sundays we are able to read and write letters along with keeping up with our uniforms and racks(bed).

19FEB12

Sunday!!What a rollercoaster of a day! There were moments of relaxations and then there were moments of chaos. The day started with our normal I.T (Incentive Training) workout and that was followed by our five hours of Divine Hours. Most of us used that time to catch up with our necessary items. The nice part about Divine hours is that it gives our Company Commanders a chance to see if we can get objectives completed without constant supervision. In our squad bay we had allot of teamwork taking place. Later we went back to the gym and worked out on the fitness bikes. As the day went on we were encourage many different ways of how to move fast by running up and down the beautiful James Hall.