Friday, 17 JUL 09

After three long, stressful days after our landing at Cape May, the forming company that arrived 14 JUL 09 stewed in nearly palpable anxiety as the dreaded hour ticked closer: Today was the day we would form ALFA-182. We would meet our Company Commanders and begin the arduous, yet necessary Indoctrination Weekend. We timidly stuffed our sea bags and with newly issued gear and reality sank in as we filed back into the Sexton Hall classroom to meet our chain of command. We were honored to have CPT Thomas herself thank us personally for our decision to serve, and we were bolstered with the positivity with which our superiors imparted both stern expectations and the faith that our company would fulfill them. Our new CC’s, MK1 Bailey, FS1 Harmon, and BM2 Crews would guide ALFA-182 from a group of undisciplined civilians to a well-oiled, thoroughly knowledgeable task force of Guardians over the next eight weeks, and the process would begin as soon as we set down our gear in Munro Hall.

Saturday, 18 JUL 09

ALFA-182 was about to find out quickly that Indoc Weekend is all about learning the rules, executing them correctly, and the consequences  for not doing just that. We attended several classes on the Coast Guard Core Values, uniform standards and procedures, and stuffed our racks full of supplies from our trip to the Exchange, where we also began learning our drill movements. Our company is over 80 strong, so mastering the steps will be challenging. Fortunately our CC’s were patient enough to demonstrate them repeatedly. We were also introduced to more Incentive Training that has tested every fiber of our minds and bodies. We are just learning to pull together as a team to encourage and help our shipmates  who are struggling with the mental and physical stress. The very small seed of true teamwork has been planted by the CC’s with push-ups and sweat over this weekend, and it is up to ALFA to learn to nurture it to its potential.

Sunday, 19 JUL 09

ALFA-182 has also learned quickly that Sunday’s divine hours are a thing to be cherished. The company spent the quiet hours poring over their racks folding gear and getting them to Coast Guard Standard, and we were finally able to write a short letter home. It was a constructive time to reflect and process all the information we had been given since forming. But once the clock struck 1300, we were back on duty and learning some very difficult lessons in group accountability. We have practiced a lot of marching over the past few days, and were surprised to hear that MK1 Bailey felt that our movements were headed in the right direction. We also received positive feedback that our speed was improving. It was welcome news after what was most likely the most difficult weekend of our lives. We are only just beginning to understand the importance of the standard the name ALFA should hold for all the companies to follow- we are the first, we will be the best. We were also nervous and excited to receive our company jobs and duties. Each individual volunteered and was selected based on their unique skills and experience. ALFA-182 is looking forward to accepting our new roles within our company and applying the diverse skills we already possess.

Monday, 20 JUL 09

ALFA-182’s very first scheduled training day began with some Incentive Training to motivate our performance and serve as a reminder for all of the objectives we were expected to follow for the day. We received more detailed instructions on the stowage of our gear, and headed over to the gym for our Cybex Machine Indoc. Petty Officer Lakose walked us through our strength training regimen and directed us through a pain-relieving stretch session. After chow we made our way to the chapel for our class on Stress Management and Suicide Prevention. Our chaplain, Father Barrett, goes to great lengths to ensure the recruits feel at ease in the chapel. The recruits were very thankful for the lighter atmosphere, and our spirits were buoyed as we left the class to tackle more company business and issues we are addressing. By now our stress levels are peaking, but our company is finally starting to recognize the concepts that our CC’s have been teaching us from Day One- Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.  In the coming weeks, we will continue to grow under our CC’s tutelage and learn the required application of these principles.

Tuesday, 21 JUL 09

Reveille brought a new day and a fresh start for ALFA. We were able to don our Gortex jackets  for the first time in the morning rain as well as our boondockers (boots).  Maybe it was the gear, or maybe things were starting to sink in, but at least we looked, if not felt, a tiny bit more like a military group than a harried bunch of misfits in half uniform.  Of course it wasn’t long until the blisters started cropping up.  We also attended our swim assessment today. Our objective was to jump off of a 05 foot platform, then swim 100 yards, then complete a secondary portion of treading water for 05 minutes. Our Company Commanders were on deck encouraging us the whole way- we each got a “Good Job” from our CC’s as we hauled our exhausted carcasses out of the water. After attending our classes on Basic Human Awareness and Saluting, our morale today has been the best yet. While we did receive some IT, we took our lumps with what seemed to be a better attitude. Our training has begun; we are learning the actual skills we will need as Guardians. ALFA may be getting excited about learning our skills rather than fearing the inevitable and necessary corrections.

Wednesday, 22 JUL 09

Pieces. In a million pieces. Pieces of the puzzle. Broken into pieces. Put the pieces back together. Piece of the pie. ALFA-182 spent today learning every possible usage of that word. Today, we were entrusted with our demilitarized M-1 Garandes, or “pieces”, since they are disabled and technically no longer a firearm. Our CC’s introduced our new nine-pound friends and to Manual of Arms training. There is definite intention in the introduction of  this skill at this particular time. We came into ALFA as individuals-pieces of all places, walks of life, and have been broken down into more similar (albeit sweaty) pieces that may form a solid foundation. Although most of us had already anticipated all the ways our pieces could be used for IT, their true purpose is to bring all the pieces of ALFA together. We want to be a team. We want to stand out above the rest on the regiment. We are putting the pieces back together.

Thursday, 23 JUL 09

One of the most difficult issues ALFA is facing is learning to address military personnel correctly. We have spent the past two weeks using what we call the “Sir Sandwich” to respectfully address our superiors. i.e., “Sir, yes, sir!” or “Ma’am,  yes,  ma’am!”  Now, we have taken our classes on ranks, rates, and pay grades and are expected to address others correctly. We participated in a fun exercise that helped us learn our ranks by sight. Several recruits were stationed around the parade field wearing jackets with insignias or holding flashcards with uniform devices. The recruits ran around the field greeting each “superior” properly. ALFA-182 seems to be nervous about taking the plunge and trusting ourselves with the information we’ve been given. Many of us try to add a “sir” to a proper greeting, or misread insignias or nameplates.  This is a crucial skill in the day-to-day operation of the military- hopefully our company’s nerves will settle after our first full week and we can move forward.

Friday, 24 JUL 09

Believe it or not, there are moments in Basic Training that are insanely funny. The seagulls at Cape May possess deadly accuracy, everyone wears the standard issue eyeglasses, and the CC’s have a whole repertoire of comments for every kind of person that walks through these doors.  The hard part is keeping your “war face” when something really funny happens- especially when it feels like you haven’t laughed in a while.  We spent a lot of time today in formation practicing our close order drill (which is getting better!) so we were glad to shake off some tension. Though it sounds like we take a lot of hits, what is happening as a result is worth it. Shipmates are starting to seek out those who need a hand. There is more peer pressure on each recruit to have him or herself squared away. Accountability is coming to the forefront of our minds. The CC’s always remind us that tomorrow is a new training day, and ALFA 182 will drive forward with lessons in hand.

Saturday, 25 JUL 09

Today was ALFA’s first Saturday after a normal training week, and we were a little apprehensive about how few scheduled items we had for the day. To elaborate, any blocks of time between classes or meals could put us doing just about anything. Our CC’s are encouraging extra sanitation around our squad bays in an attempt to buffer us from the raging Cape May Crud. The nasty virus has gone from bad to just plain mean and is debilitating several companies in training. The females moved to a new squad bay, and we all sanitized as best we could. As an additional measure, we are all required to eat 02 granola bars at evening muster. So far, all ALFA has displayed are the typical coughs and sniffles produced by a new environment and new germs. We spend time every night sanitizing our bunks and sleep in opposite directions in the racks. Other progress for ALFA today included more drill work, practice meeting time objectives, and a positive guided discussion with LCC MK1 Bailey to revisit the Coast Guard Core Values. ALFA is looking forward to tomorrow’s devine hours and another day to learn.

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