07Sep09   Week 06 Day 01

Only 02 more weeks – so close now…  Today we had a class on firefighting terms and chemistry, where we learned about the combustion process, prevention measures, and what to do if we discover a fire.  Later we had a Cybex weight training session and a class on personal wellness.  We also put on our bravo dress uniforms for an inspection.  Most of us felt a little awkward in them at first, and took forever to get dressed, but we sure looked sharp!  A far cry from that Tuesday night we first passed through the gates of Training Center Cape May with our civilian clothes and messy hairs.  We are starting to look like squared away recruits now.

08Sep09   Week 06   Day 02

This was a rocky day from the start.  We were moving far too slow and almost all of the company missed movement to morning chow.  YNC Howe and DC1 Wingate were so disappointed in us that we had our colors taped up – a shameful thing.  It only went downhill from there.  When the females returned to their squad bay, the head was completely trashed.  This was quite the wake-up call from the company commanders to keep it clean and squared away at all times.  We had our manual of arms test and did not score as well as we should have.  We will bounce back and stay focused!

09Sep09   Week 06   Day 03

Wednesday we were split up again, with half the company gone to career counseling and being issued identification cards.  The rest of us were at firefighting school learning how to handle the hoses and getting soaked.  Class was on the history and legacy of the Coast Guard and we watched a video about Medal of Honor recipient Douglas Munro.  There was some frustration again, as we are still failing at many basic tasks such as cleaning up after ourselves and moving with a sense of urgency.  Recruit training will be over before we know it and we need to make every day count.

10Sep09   Week 06   Day 04

More career counseling and firefighting, plus a class on shipping our household goods to our new duty stations.  In the afternoon we had our final Pugil stick match and blew off some steam that way.  We spent the remainder of the day maintaining our uniforms, contacting our sponsors and units, and field-daying the squad bays.  We also had to get ready for Bravo Company’s graduation, where we will provide support by handing out pamphlets, directing traffic flow and greeting civilians. 

11Sep09   Week 06   Day 05

This morning we went to get our smallpox vaccination checked by medical.  The injection site definitely looked brutal, one big white blister.  We didn’t have much time after medical to get prepared for Bravo’s indoor graduation, so we were all rushing to make sure it was a good one.  Unfortunately a few people missed their watch for the graduation ceremony, so we got in quite a bit of trouble for that.  Although it was a rough day for Delta-182, it was Patriots Day.  September 11 is a day engraved in each one of our minds.  For some of us, it’s a main reason why we joined the military.  There was an all-hands colors ceremony at the main flagpole in remembrance of September 11. 

12Sep09   Week 06   Day 06

A great day for Delta – we finally had our on-base liberty!  Earlier in the day we went on operational tours of the cutters and small boats at Station Cape May.  This was to give us a taste of what we will be doing at our units.  We were allowed to ask a lot of questions too, which was nice.  At 1500, we were turned loose for close to 06 hours of liberty.  We were allowed to go to the exchange to purchase items (like junk food), the Harborview Club to play pool, relax, and eat dinner, and the Ida Lewis auditorium for a movie.  We also got to make a few phone calls home. Liberty definitely helped boost morale of the company, but after 2100 it was back to business.

13Sep09   Week 06   Day 07

Typical day for Delta-182, we attended morning chow and when we returned divine hours commenced.  Some recruits went to church, while others squared away their uniforms and wrote letters home.  Divine hours ended at 1300, as it does every Sunday, then DC1 Wingate started the training day.  We practiced our close order drill test with him multiple times throughout the day.  Our test is on Tuesday and we really need to get locked on for it.  SKC Bou will be judging us, like he did for our manual of arms test. Unlike the manual of arms test however, Delta will not settle for 7 out of 10. We’ll be aiming for 9 or 10 out of 10. The main goal is the Battalion Commander pennant to hang from our guidon.  With all the practice we’ve had in the past few days, we’re sure to get it!

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