Indoctrination weekend review:  On 04 Aug 09, 84 individuals from across the country stepped off the busses and gathered in front of Sexton Hall to begin our 08 week journey through United States Coast Guard recruit training.  Right away the fun began.   Our first few days were spent primarily at the uniform distribution center and at medical receiving inoculations and exams. On Friday we met our company commanders, lead company commander DCC Garry, and assistant company commanders YNC Howe and DC1 Wingate. We then formed company Delta-182.  Over the next few weeks they will have the challenge of transforming us from civilians to Guardians ready for the fleet.

The first weekend with our company commanders were spent delegating jobs and becoming accustomed to our new home, Healy Hall.

10 Aug 09     week 02     day 01

Hello again friends and family of Delta-182 recruits!  Today started off with a bang, “fire, fire, fire!”  Don’t worry it was just a drill.  We had trouble making the time objectives delegated by our company commanders.  Due to that we received some incentive training.  Incentive training is a series of push-ups, crunches, squats, and flutter kicks used for discipline.  Because we have to be “Semper Paratus” or “always ready” no matter the time of day or how sore or grumpy we may be.  We also had our introduction to the Cybex (weight training) equipment in the gym today.  There are some tough moments but overall we seem to be getting more comfortable day by day here at training center Cape May.  We welcomed 01 new recruit to Delta-182. He was rephased for medical reasons and we are glad to have his knowledge with our company. 

11 Aug 09     week 02     day 02

Tuesday was a really rough one for Delta-182.  We had our swim qualification in the morning and more than a few of us failed it.  Those with week swimming skills will have to attend swimming remedials until they pass the test.  But with the expert instruction by the gym staff it should be a breeze.  We’re still struggling to meet our time objectives and our military bearing is almost non-existent.  The day got off to a bad start which left the company feeling unmotivated and discouraged.  We as a company  need to rally together and pick ourselves up off the floor.  We need to give 100% to our company commanders because they are giving all that they have to us

12 Aug 09     week 02     day 03

Fortunately today (Wednesday) we showed some improvement.  Early in the morning we had a 01 mile run on the track to assess what we need to work on for the physical fitness test.  we had classes on rates and ranks as well as addressing military personnel.  The classes we have lined up are vital to our success when we get out into the fleet.  Another significant moment in our training was the march to go pick up our pieces,  the pieces we received are non-operational rifles used for drill movements while marching and incentive training.  Though we are getting better overall, there are still people struggling.  We as shipmates have to pull together to help out those that need extra assistance.  At some point we are all going to need it.

13 Aug 09     week 02     day 04

Phew! Today was certainly a tough one.  Most of us are not used to waking up at 0530 every day, let alone to a fire drill or incentive training.  The fatigue is definitely starting to set in.  This is another setback that we will have to pull through together.  Our company commanders are extremely dedicated to our physical fitness as well as our education here at Cape May.  Today we had our core strength workout and I think it is safe to say none of us have sweat that much simply holding a position.   The classes today were on our pay and allowances as well as hazing.  The classes helped clarify a lot of the questions we had about our benefits and our personal rights when we arrive to our first duty station.

14 Aug 09     week 02     day 05

Everything we did today was new and interesting.  During the day we practiced manual of arms, which is very intricate.  It is physically straining considering the piece weighs 09 pounds.  We just began so we are a bit rusty, but we will have plenty of practice.  After class we then got a little surprise from our company commander, DC1Wingate, a march through dirt paths that twisted though the tall grasses between the beach and the regiment.  It was quite an adventure and despite the physical discomfort of the extra weight and our boondockers, we all enjoyed it and look forward to doing it again.

15 Aug 09     week 02     day 05

Today we were honored to have our company sponsor, Mr. Daniel, a Chief Warrant Officer, come visit us and answer all questions we had about life in the Coast Guard.  Mr. Daniel spent 02 hours with us in the classroom.

The rest of the day was spent drilling with our pieces, manual of arms, and marching.

16 Aug 09     week 02     day 06

We once again woke up to “fire, fire, fire!”  Still not fast or loud enough and it is crucial that we get that straightened out because we are heading into week 03 tomorrow.  We are no longer the junior company on the regiment, so we need to stop looking like it.  After chow, we had divine hours which are hours utilized to square away our racks as well as write letters and study.  After divine hours we had classes on personal values as well as the coast guard values; honor, respect, and devotion to duty.  Those classes were inspiring and reminded us why we came here to begin with. 

Conclusion

In closing, we’ve had our ups and downs but we are beginning to come together as a team.

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