Week 07

For Charlie-182, Recruit training is finally coming to an end. As of Sunday the 13th, we have four more days and a wakeup call until we graduate after eight long and hard working weeks at Cape May in preparation for becoming Coastguardsman. The anticipation in the squad bays is beginning to thicken as we become closer to getting reunited with our family and friends at home, and our first days at our first unit. Unfortunately Charlie is starting to focus more on the anticipation and less on being locked on recruits who are motivated and perfect examples for the junior companies. Nevertheless, week 07 was filled with good times and more practical training.

Monday was filled with an earlier wakeup call than what Charlie is used to (Yes, 5 extra minutes of sleep is a BIG deal to us), as well as First Aid and Response training with Petty Officer Strauch. He taught everyone how to properly react to medical emergencies and how to properly treat wounds. Afterwards we learned evacuation techniques and how to put a victim on a body board and properly transport them. Then Charlie learned how to properly administer Rescue breathing and CPR using state of the art CPR dummies. The day was concluded with personal time to make arrangements with everyone's first unit as well as cleaning and uniform maintenance.

The next two days were focused around Line Handling and personal inspections and the final Close Order Drill test. Tuesday began with an introduction to Line Handling, which is an integral part of the operation of vessels in the Coast Guard. Charlie learned how to throw a heaving line and properly attach lines and tie up to the dock. Afterwards everyone got dressed in their Tropical Blue dress uniform and was inspected by the Battalion Officer Lieutenant Cromer. He had a few critiques but was generally impressed with the results. Afterwards Charlie-182 headed down to the reviewing stand to perform their close order drill test for the Section Commander Chief Bou. Petty Officer Vedder, Charlie's Lead Company Commander, had hesitant thoughts on how Charlie's performance was going to be and was a little disappointed on what he saw from the group in the previous week. However, Charlie-182 pulled together and did an impressive job. Because of two slip ups, Chief Bou gave the company an 8 out of 10 but said he was very impressed and said we are where we are supposed to be. He also warned that since we are doing a good job we should be striving to raise the bar further and perform like this at all times.

Wednesday was the final practical for the Line Handling unit. On a rainy on foggy morning everyone set up in groups and demonstrated the techniques required for line handling on Cape May's mock ship set up. While they were doing this members of Charlie who were going to Patrol Boats or Small Boat Stations and had not qualified for marksmanship went down to the firing range to attempt at qualifying again. When they returned Seaman Recruit String had earned the Expert Marksmanship award with a score of 145. After the line handling practical was complete, Charlie cleaned up the Seamanship building and setup to compete for the Seamanship award. Competitions ranged from knot tying to line handling and heaving line throwing and finally Helm Commands. Seaman Recruit Mainhart came out on top and was awarded the Seamanship award. Congratulations to Seaman Recruits String and Mainhart!

After Seamanship Petty Officer George (the seamanship instructor) let us watch a video of life at sea on a 270 foot long cutter and answered questions on life in the Coast Guard. Later that evening all the males received another haircut, and the Drill and Ceremonial teams continued to work on their performances for graduation.

Thursday was another day to catch up on arranging Flights home and creating ID cards for everyone who didn't get one. Recruits flying to Alaska or Hawaii or Puerto Rico worked on getting arrangements for their vehicles to be shipped while everyone else made arrangements for household goods to be moved. Following this Charlie learned about the benefits and opportunities of the Work Life program, which is designed to help Coast Guard families and married couples in times of emergencies and crisis/domestic violence. Finally, Charlie went through training about preventing STD's and proper birth control method. Afterwards everyone was allowed to study for the Recruit Training Final test which was the next morning. While this was being taken care of, the drill team got to go down and become qualified on handling an M-16 rifle (even though they didn't even fire it), since they had been asked to participate in a 21 gun salute during an upcoming ceremony on September 11th.

Friday, September 11th rolled in and everyone took the Final test. The results were very exceptional and overall Charlie scored rather high. Bravo company began its graduation ceremony and Charlie had personal time again to make sure everything was squared away properly. After the conclusion and departure of Bravo-182, Charlie was officially the senior company on the regiment and had 07 days left. However Petty Officer Vedder believed Charlie was not working up to its potential and was operating unmotivated. So, doing what Petty Officer Vedder and company commanders do best he motivated us. Petty Officer Vedder opened the heavens and brought his almighty wrath upon Charlie, working them into shape and issuing out Incentive training and remedials that Charlie had not experienced in a long time. Charlie had indeed got a little used to being a little slack, and that would not stand with Petty Officer Vedder. That evening, Charlie marched down to the beach with their full sea bags and rucksacks, and Petty Officer Vedder turned the heat up. After an hour or two of crawling around in the sand and surf as well working on physical fitness, Petty Officer Vedder gathered the group together and explained why we have to act more motivated. He explained how the sea shows no mercy, and for awhile he stood there looking out into the sea while Charlie pondered his words and actions. By the end of the night, no matter how worn out or exhausted or dirty and wet and grubby Charlie was, everyone felt a warm flame in their souls as Petty Officer Vedder marched the company back to the showers.

While all of this was going on, the drill and ceremonial teams performed at a local court house for a ceremony honoring Patriot Day. The September 11th attacks occurred eight years ago, and surrounded by city officials and news crews and the public eye, the drill and color team valiantly honored the victims and patriotism of the nation. It was a true honor to be invited to attend the event and represent the United States Coast Guard.

Saturday blew in, and off Charlie went on to Off Base Liberty. Simply put, Charlie spent the day in Rio Grande, NJ eating and talking on phones and going to see movies. A good 12 hours of civilian life was a very special treat for Charlie, but it also reminded everyone that leave and graduation was also on the horizon.

Concluding the week on Sunday, Charlie got dressed in their Trop. Blue uniforms and stood watch during divine hours. Everyone cleaned and worked on ironing uniforms and shining boots. After lunch Charlie went on their final off base run through downtown Cape May. At the end of the day, the results of the Charlie-182 award winners were announced. Congratulations to all of the following award winners:

Honor Recruit:                  SR Hennessy

Academic Award:                 SR Hennessy

Most Improved Physical Fitness: SR Leonard

Physical Fitness Award:         SR Peach

Best Shipmate:                  SR French

Leadership Award:               SR Taitt

Manual of Arms Award:           SR Jolicuer

Expert Pistol Award:            SR String

Seamanship:                     SR Mainhart

This concludes Charlie-182's series of blogs. Charlie is on to Week 08 and the Guardian Challenge, to show the skills they’ve learned in the past few weeks. Charlie over the weeks has really grown into a family, and the time spent over the weeks with each other and the Company Commanders is something that will be in everyone's hearts for a long time. The next chapter in everyone's lives here begins with reporting to the first unit. Be it a cutter or a small boat station, everyone's lives are changing forever. Not just Charlie-182's lives, but the spouses and families of the recruits here. Some families will have to move hundreds of miles and get used to a completely different lifestyle, and this will be very stressful. Families will not be able to see their daughters or sons, and the gaps created by joining the Coast Guard is a trial in itself. That being said, please keep everyone in their thoughts as this next chapter is begun. Fortunately, the Coast Guard is a wonderful provider of benefits and services, and with that in mind Charlie-182 is in good hands. We will soon be on the eve of serving our country and honoring those who have served and fallen before us. We will soon become Guardians of the Sea and no longer be Charlie-182. We thank all of you for your support at home, and we especially thank our Company Commanders for teaching us and motivating us, keeping us safe and on schedule, and most of all, putting up with our jacked up actions and personalities. We look forward to seeing those who are attending at graduation.

And now, a new chapter begins in our lives. As the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard told a graduating company a few weeks ago, "The sea is a vast blank page, and you have been given the pen in your hands. Go and write your history."

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