Ø2 SEP Ø9

We have hit the half way point through basic training.  Monday was an exciting day as we got to spend all day at the range for marksmanship.  We practiced safe shooting procedures with P229 SIG .  We had time objectives, for example 12 rounds in 12 minutes at 25 yds and rapid fire at 15 yards which was Ø6 rounds in 12 seconds.  We were all scored and were able to compare with our shipmates.  Monday and Tuesday the company was split into two groups and we had a Colors class.  Two colors teams were selected by our CC’s  who will be responsible for raising and lowering the flags several times while here in training.  Chief Reno showed us the 21 count manual of arms which walks us through all of our positions with our piece.  We are all starting to learn how to handle our piece and let it work for us.  Wednesday we had our Physical Fitness assessment.  It consisted of 1.5 mile run, pushups, situps, and a sit and reach test.  To graduate basic training and to qualify for certain responsibilities out in the fleet you have to pass.  Later on that day Chief Stanton talked to the company about our “dream sheets” that we would be filling out the next day that help the detailer decide where they are going to send out into the fleet.  She told us a little about her career and the paths she took to get where she is today, which we all enjoyed.  She allowed us to ask questions about our potential first units while she pushed the operational units, especially cutters.  Everyone is getting very antsy to find out where we will be stationed.  It sounds like we will be finding out next week. 

Ø4 SEP

This week has been filled with many classses and events but it has proven to be very challenging for the company.  Last week we were working well together, however, this week has been somewhat of a train wreck.  Our motivation has dropped  as some of our shipmates are not giving 100.  Today was our second march in graduation, this time for Alfa-182.  Our CC’s said that we looked a lot better than last week, which is always a good thing to hear.  This morning we had our mid term and if the companies average is above a 90% we receive our first pennant for our guidon.  Our average was 94%!  We also all signed up for the blood drive which gives us our second pennant.  After chow Chief Reno marched us around the regiment and told us about the history on many significant landmarks present here.   We have been trying to get into an evening routine for uniform maintenance, showers and cleanups, with a little bit of mail time.  Uniform maintenance is something we all look foreward to so we can all look good in our uniforms around the regiment, however, it is a privelage and when we are not moving quickly enough, which has been the case lately, we don’t get that time. 

Ø6 SEP

Well, if there is one thing ECHO company is good at it is disappointing  our Company Commanders.  Yesterday we had another rucksack inspection.  It was not too bad, some recruits had a few unauthorized items such as garbage or dirty laundry but things took a turn for the worse when we had an inspection on our uniform pockets.  We are only authorized Ø3 items in our left breast pocket yet many recruits had various items stowed in various pockets.  It is small things we are not picking up on that really bother our CC’s.  We were informed that we would be having a random squadbay inspection sometime this week by our Section Commander.  We failed miserably.  It was the worst inspection that any of Chief Stanton’s had ever had.  We are losing more recruits from the company for disciplinary reasons. This is called reversion.  Six this week!  And we have a few more shipmates that will be reporting this week to a new program they call R.A.M.P. for Recruit Aptitude and Motivation Program for some “extra attention” that will either get them up to our CC’s standards or they will go back a week in training.  As far as our training is going, we had a class on Pugil Sticks Saturday morning to help build our confidence .  On Monday we will battle each other.  We will be geared up, however some shipmates are becoming nervous because they have never fought someone before and the object is to strike your opponent with force and score points for certain strikes.  Sunday we will be participating in the last Sunset Parade of the season.  They open the regiment up to the public to watch it and the companies march with their pieces and observe evening colors.  We also have a off base run today but no one really knows what that will entail.