17AUG09  WEEK 03 DAY 01

This Monday we started an optional physical enhancement program.  Next week is our physical fitness test, so those of us who feel we are not ready for it started waking up at 0500 for a workout with the trainers. 

The military is clearly an advocate for higher education.  The benefits are generous.  They not only apply towards a bachelor’s degree, but extend to graduate degrees as well. 

Today was a typical day of training, both physical and educational.  Besides one odd occurrence, we received an order from our section commander to attend a country music concert on base.  We all had time to relax for a few moments and bond with our shipmates.  It was definitely a morale booster.

18AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 02

Reveille, reveille, reveille! Another day on the regiment and this one is off to a rocky start..  About 15 recruits from Delta-182 were late for physical enhancement, and as I’m sure you can imagine being late in the military is not a good thing.  It definitely set the mood for the day.  We had 04 classes today: survival float, safety, military identification/health care benefits, and Coast Guard history.  It was a lot of information to absorb, but we got through it.  Tomorrow is another day, the slate is clean; we have to get out of this rut.

19AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 03

Wednesday started out with another challenging Cybex workout at the gym, and then we had classes for most of the day.  DC1 Wingate taught us about the Coast Guards many important roles and missions, such as, national defense, search and rescue, law enforcement, and protection of natural resources.  We’re a small service, but have huge responsibilities around the world and everyone must combine their different talents to achieve the same goal.  We also learned about advancements from Seaman to Petty Officer and leave and liberty.

20AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 04

Today was full of classes and more classes.  The difference between the classes we’ve had in the past and the classes we attended today is that today was the first time we’ve done hands on training that will relate directly to our jobs as non-rates in the fleet.  Besides classes, we have the honor of participating in graduation of Yankee-18.  Tonight we practiced our close order drills so we can look sharp in their ceremony.

21AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 05

Graduation day is always an exciting day on the regiment.  Although we are not graduating ourselves it means we are 01 week closer to that day.  We lined up for the ceremony around 1000.  We marched well and it was exciting to see a company we shared a hall with pack up and move on to their new careers.  After graduation it was down to business, off to seamanship for more hands on training.  We learned about the various units, vessels, and aircraft in the Coast Guard fleet, as well as different types of lines and knots.

22AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 06

All day today was spent at seamanship.  We finally learned how to tie the knots that we learned about the previous day.  An exciting part of class was using the Helmsman Simulator; we had the opportunity to practice our commands and our steering of the rudder. However, the excitement got the best of us and we did not maintain a military bearing throughout the class. Hello incentive training.

23AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 07

Bright and early we hopped into our operational dress uniforms for an inspection by YNC Howe.  It was our second uniform inspection and it was a bit sloppy.  We’re all still trying to manage our time better and it seemed most of us didn’t have time during the week to iron or shine our boots or something else of that nature.  Next time we get inspected it will be by our section commander, so we have to get our uniforms squared away as soon as possible.  After the inspection divine hours commenced (0800-1300).  We got time to press our uniforms, shine our boots, and of course write letters home to all of you.

After divine hours half of the company went to the range for indoctrination with the .40 CAL SIG we will be firing tomorrow.  If over 65% of us qualify as marksman we get to put the black pennant on our guidon.  It’s something we will all strive for.  We want to make our Company Commanders proud especially since this week was not a good one for Delta-182 (discipline wise).  Tomorrow is the beginning of week 04.  This is a crucial part of training which will decide who is ready to move on with training and graduate with Delta-182.

Blog