August 24, 2009

Today started a fresh new week for a slipping Bravo Company.  When recruits start to lose their military bearing in the fifth week of training, it is called the “week five dive.”  Unfortunately, Bravo participated in the dive and that resulted in three disappointed company commanders. As for our training today, we started off the day with fire school. Here, we learned about different types of fire fighting equipment and techniques for extinguishing real life fires.  Our practical fire fighting will start tomorrow when we actually put on the fire retardant suits and work on extinguishing fires.  In the afternoon, we attended a health and wellness class where recruits filled out a personal wellness log.  The instructor will submit the results of the log and present each recruit with a packet that informs recruits how to improve their lifestyles and live a healthier life.  The last part of the day was spent working on our manual of arms for our test tomorrow.  Overall, Bravo’s manual of arms looks good, so hopefully we will be able to perform well when we are graded on our performance tomorrow.

August 25, 2009

Today we attended the practical aspect of fire school.  Recruits were able to put on the self contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA. This tank, worn like a backpack, is the main way recruits would breathe in a real life fire fighting situation.  Recruits were also able to practice putting out fires using fire extinguishers.  The most important part of our day was the manual of arms test administered by Senior Chief Martinowsky.  While Bravo passed with a score of 06/10, our lackluster performance didn’t settle well with the company commanders.  Our poor manual of arms performance, along with recruit’s lack of motivation led for a long, hard day for Bravo.  The day was filled with punishment driven exercises to help keep recruits from making the same mistakes. We started our water workouts today as well.  We headed to the pool for a workout that included underwater push ups, pool flutter kicks and freestyle sprints.  Most recruits were glad to get into the water after a hot humid morning. To end the night, Bravo Company had a Tropical Blue Long uniform inspection.  It is very important to look good in this uniform as it s the one we will be wearing at graduation.

August 26, 2009

Today the company went to fire school were recruits practiced real life fire situations in full fire fighting gear.  Recruits with into a simulated smoke and flame filled room and were required to work as a team to extinguish the blaze.  Our class today was entitled “Legacy.” This class taught us about traditions of the Coast Guard and the heroes that have served in the Coast Guard before us.  Bravo Company also went to get their dress uniforms checked to see if they fit properly after tailoring.  To end the night, Bravo went for a company run, change in the usual evening routine.

August 27, 2009

Today the company went to administration to get their ID cards and travel arrangements made.  The ID cards will be used to log into government computers and to access military buildings and bases.  Bravo Company had round two of their pugil sticks today as well.  Some recruits weren’t able to fight last time so those recruits were able to get their hits in today.  We had a class today that informed us how to move our personal and household goods to our new duty stations.  Many recruits found this class very useful since they will be moving items from overseas locations such as Guam and Hawaii.  To end the night, Bravo practiced for graduation tomorrow.  Since we are week six, we are going to be responsible for helping parents and friends of recruits find their way around base, passing out programs, and providing water to these persons.  Bravo Company is steadily progressing through recruit training and will hopefully earn our on base liberty Saturday.  On base liberty requires us to pass a uniform inspection Saturday morning however.  Let’s hope for the best.

August 28, 2009

Bravo Company started the day by helping set up for Zulu company’s graduation.  This included setting up flags around the parade field, helping people around the base, and directing traffic.  After graduation concluded, we had a long incentive training session due to many recruits lacking self discipline still.  This included push ups, sit ups, flutter kicks, and staring at the grass for a while.  Today we also had our smallpox sites checked to see if everything looked normal.  Normal for a smallpox shot doesn’t really look to normal though.  In the afternoon, we disassembled the graduation ceremony area and later head to our Cybex workout.  We were scheduled to run in the evening, but had to call the run off due to bad weather.

August 29, 2009

Today is the day that Bravo 182 has been waiting for, on base liberty.  During on base liberty, recruits would have free time to roam the base going places not usually allowed for recruits.  Most recruits headed to the exchange to pig out on junk food, candy, and soda for the first time since being at boot camp.  After filling up at the exchange, most recruits searched for a pay phone to call family and friends away from the supervision of their company commanders.  There was also a movie provided at night for recruits to watch.  The movie allowed recruits to get a small taste of the civilian world again.  All these delicacies didn’t come easily though.  Recruits had to undergo a uniform inspection in order to earn their liberty.  Bravo did well and nobody failed the inspection.  This meant everyone would be allowed liberty unless they were in the sick ward or told otherwise they couldn’t go.  Evening muster was pretty relaxed just like the rest of the day until Petty Officer Jansen took all the “contraband” recruits had bought at the exchange.  This included candy, gum, and cough drops, common items recruits bought.  Now the liberty is over, Bravo must return to boot camp mode and prepare for next week, week seven.  Next week Bravo must perform at their best as they will have many companies looking at them and how they act.  Bravo company is now the second most senior company, and must continue to wok hard until graduation in order to succeed.

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