August 10, 2009

After a morning run, Bravo was split into Port and Starboard sides.  Port side was indoctrinated into the shooting range and learned about the parts of the Sig P229 pistol we would be shooting.  We headed to the range where recruits would try and earn their basic pistol marksmanship qualification.  Most recruits had a blast on the range and a few recruits even shot a Sharpshooter qualification.  After shooting at the range, port side headed to Dempsey Hall to get their military dress photo taken.  Here, recruits also had the option to purchase a Coast Guard company ring.  While Port was at the range, Starboard had a class about commitment.  This taught us how important our dedication to the Coast Guard and our country is.  Another class followed where we logged in and received our usernames for the Coast Guard network.  In this class we received our email and learned the procedures used to log into the network.  Starboards last class of the day was about “Colors.”   This class was important because the recruits learned how to properly execute the ceremony about how to pay respect to our nation’s flag.  After a unsatisfactory inspection of our squadbays, Petty Officer Ricketts gave us a bit of advice on how to come together as a team and accomplish our goals.  Although we were given helpful advice, we still had to pay for our mistakes somehow.  The company as a whole endured an incentive training session in which we competed with the other companies to see who could sound off the loudest.  The company commanders assured us we had some fun weeks ahead of us as long as we fulfilled our roles as good recruits.

August 11, 2009

Bravo 182 started the morning with disappointment when Chief Pena talked to us about how our behavior had been slacking.  He took us into the classroom to reiterate the importance of the rules and regulations we are to abide by. Today, port side completed the tasks starboard had done yesterday and starboard headed to the range to shoot.  Afterwards Petty Officer Hernandez came to the squadbay and chose recruits to perform color guard and drill team duties.  While recruits chosen to perform these duties went outside and practiced, the rest of the company worked on manual of arms.  Due to recruits not taking the manual of arms exercises seriously and large amounts of shooting range violations, Bravo 182 endured some serious piece incentive training and discipline drills. Tomorrow, Bravo company has our physical fitness assessment. Hopefully we will be able to perform well and prove to our company commanders that we really want to be here.

August 12, 2009

Overall, Bravo Company had a pretty good day.  We learned about the enlisted careers in the Coast Guard.  This was helpful as it informed recruits about the duties they would be expected to fulfill under each career.  This was a very important class since tomorrow we will be filling out our assignment data cards, or “Dream Sheets.”  The “Dream Sheet” gives recruits the opportunity to choose where they would like to be stationed.  It is important however to remember that the needs of the service come first.  In the afternoon, we headed to the gym for our week 04 physical fitness test.  Recruits were tested on their running, push ups, sit ups, and flexibility.  For many recruits, this was a wake up call to improve their physical fitness.  Those who didn’t pass will be required to attend remedial fitness in the mornings until they are able to meet the minimum fitness requirements.  To end an already good day, one Bravo recruit sang the national anthem in front of the company.  This was an emotional moment for many recruits and was used as a time to reflect on those who have given their lives for the country that they loved.  Chief Pena told us as long as we continued to improve, good things would start to happen.

August 13, 2009

Bravo 182 began the day with seamanship in which we had out practical tests on knot tying abilities and  helm commands using the helm simulators.  The basic knot tying skills and obeying helm commands gave recruits a sense of what operating and working on a vessel contained.  Bravo Company filled out their dream sheets as well.  Recruits were given the opportunity to talk to recruiters about different cutters and duty stations and then chose their permanent duty station preferences.  After filling out the sheets, many recruits are anxious to get their orders and find out where they will be heading.  Bravo worked on close order drill quite a bit today for graduation tomorrow as well.  Tomorrow’s graduation will be a huge event due to the presence of two very important Coast Guard figures.  Both the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Bowen and Commandant Admiral Allen will be in attendance.  This event will be a once in a lifetime event for most recruits, therefore recruits must look and act their best.  The night ended with recruits studying for their midterm tomorrow.  The midterm will test recruits on all they have learned thus far in training and is essential to recruit success.

Auust 14, 2009

Today was an important day for Bravo for many reasons.  First because we had our midterm test which recruits were required to pass.  When the results came in, Chief Pena informed us everyone passed.  This is finally a sign of promise for a struggling Bravo Company.  Marching in the graduation for X Ray 181 was also a very memorable moment for recruits.  The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard was in attendance and the Commandant delivered the speech to the graduating company.  Seing both these important figures is a rare event for recruits, so recruits here should feel honored.  After graduation, we headed to the gym for our Cybex workout.  The goals of these workouts are the make recruits “bigger, faster, and stronger.”  After our Cybex workout, OS1 Ricketts led us in an extra core strength workout.  At the end of the day, we had a regimental march with seabags and pieces intact.  This march led recruits off the regiment and close to the ocean.  After the march, the whole regiment had an IT session which of course included their pieces.  It seems today was a successful day for Bravo because all recruits passed their midterms, saw the two highest ranked enlisted and officer Coast Guard members, and had no incentive training as punishment.

August 15, 2009

Most of today was spent practicing manual of arms and close order drill.  Working hard on these skills is essential because towards the end of training, we will be tested on these drills by the section commander, Chief Hampton.  Chief Pena emphasized how important it was to try to be perfect as the tests are graded in a very strict manner.  The highlight of the day came when recruits were introduced into the pugil stick training.  We had a class that showed the proper way to both attack and block while fighting our opponents.  After learning the pugil stick basics, we headed to the fighting pit to observe some senior company fights.  Bravo had a good time watching and cheering on the other companies fights and by doing so, became anxious to start their own fights.  After watching the pugil stick fights, Bravo headed back to the squadbay to choose who they wanted as their opponent.  Bravo has picked their opponents and are ready to go to war on Monday.

August 16, 2009

This morning’s wake up was a bit different.  Today Chief Hampton woke Bravo up rather pleasantly.  The recruits were given divine hours in which they could work on what needed to be done.  In the afternoon Chief Hampton instructed the Employee Review System class.  In this class the recruits were informed of the standards needed to advance as an enlisted member.  Afterwards, Bravo was given a mission complete drill where Chief Hampton chose two recruits to give instructions to accomplish the mission with no verbal communication.  The task was difficult, but Bravo managed to split the workload and work as a team.  Overall Bravo did well on the drill, which shows we are coming together as a company.  The day ended with a two mile off base run which allowed recruits to see something other than Training Center Cape May.

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