24AUG09

ALFA spent the day learning our first aid and CPR skills with YN1 Pascucci. We learned how to respond to common shipboard accidents and emergencies such as electrical shock, bleeding or burns as well as more serious injuries. We were able to practice CPR on foldable mannequins as well as the infant dummies. These are crucial skills to all Guardians in the fleet, regardless of their normal positions. Again, we never know when we may be called upon to assist in an emergency. We also spent time preparing our Trops uniforms for our big inspection tomorrow. But as usual, ALFA’s effort was lukewarm at getting everything ready and it showed. We will have little time tomorrow to fix them. ALFA must utilize teamwork or make do on a wing and a prayer to succeed at this important assessment. Our company’s pride depends on it.

25AUG09

Today’s inspections were a continuation of ALFA’s roller coaster performance. We sailed through the Trops inspection with our Battalion Officer, but our ship took on some water with our Close Order Drill routine with Chief Bou. It was a bit of a deflation after our uniforms success, but BM2 Crews left us with some perspective and we noted our corrections and moved ahead. We are looking forward to another day at Seamanship to complete our Line Handling class, and continue to build momentum towards a strong Week 07. It is strange to feel like we will be gone soon, but the fleet needs us and we still have a lot to learn.

26AUG09

ALFA spent our last day at Seamanship, learning mooring techniques and competing for the Marlinspike Seamanship Award. We were sad to say goodbye, since we have enjoyed BM2 Humphrey’s instruction, and the hands-on learning has been helpful to all of us. To earn the award, we competed against each other in rescue line heaving and knot tying. We practiced mooring from the giant ship mock-up. Afterwards, we had a very large chunk of time that we devoted to our uniforms, haircuts, unit calls, work details, etc. While we are excited about winding down training, our previous experiences with free time hasn’t always been this painless. On the other hand, we didn’t seem to have as many issues as a company today, so it’s possible we’re actually pulling it together and thinking about being the senior company on the regiment next week.

27AUG09

One more day passed for ALFA as we prepared to bid farewell to ZULU-181, which will make us the senior company in Cape May. We are studying for our final exam, gleaning our uniforms of stray threads, and making preparations and contacts to our units. Today we had our Work-Life and STD classes, further preparing us for life after Basic Training. ALFA is carrying a more relaxed and confident air these days; as we have more time to work, our demeanor feels less forced and more like a natural growth in maturity as a company. This week we have been able to give back to the base through various work details around the regiment. We are definitely excited about our upcoming off-base liberty as well. The graduation clock is now audibly ticking in our minds, and we are fighting the impulse to be restless. Tomorrow we will march the parade field to graduate ZULU, signaling the beginning of our end of Basic Training.

28AUG09

ALFA Company has officially begun wrapping up its requirements here at Cape May. We all did well on our final exam, adding a fourth pennant to our guidon and colors. We marched the field with pride as ZULU-181 bid adieu to Cape May, and we stepped in as the senior company. We were a little sad and excited as we surrendered our pieces back to Goff Hall (No more Piece IT!). On the way back, we stopped over at Sexton Hall to make the racks for next week’s arriving company. Overhead, the nervous shuffles of GOLF-182’s feet as they formed brought strong emotions as we realized how much we have learned so far. As we left, forming up on those famous little yellow triangles next to the bus parking, we read the words outside the building again with greater clarity, understanding, and anticipation than ever before- “Through these doors pass the future Guardians of the sea.”

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