14Sep09 Week 07 Day 01

On Monday morning we had a class on first aid, where we learned how to handle emergencies involving amputations, broken bones and other traumatic injuries.  It was very educational for most of us since a lot of the company has never been certified in any of these areas. 

Then we headed over to the gym to practice our CPR skills on mannequins, and learned how to use the automatic electronic defibulator.

15Sep09 Week 07 Day 02

Delta company is on top of the world today!  We kicked some serious butt for the Battalion Commander’s inspection of the squad bays.  They were SO spotless that he really had a hard time finding anything that wasn’t clean.  Truly amazing, considering our problems of only a few days ago.  Our Tropical Blue Long uniform inspection didn’t go quite as well, due to a large amount of loose threads and lint.  Yuck.  Oh well-we dusted ourselves off and rocked the regiment with a very tight Close Order Drill test.  In addition, we scored high enough on the Seamanship final to earn another pennant for the guidon.  Our company commanders are thrilled, and we are pretty darn proud of ourselves.  After today we can truthfully say we are the best here at Training Center Cape May.   Take that, Charlie and Echo!

16Sep09 Week 07 Day 03

Delta was nonstop busy all day.  Right after chow we marched over to Seamanship for a practical in heaving lines and line commands.  We spent the day out on the model cutter heaving lines over the port and starboard side.  We were lucky enough to have Auxilarist Mr. Smith come in early that morning to help our company perfect our skills.   After chow we left Seamanship and went straight to change out for our Swim Circuit class.   As usual, for evening routine we studied for the final on Friday, squared away uniforms and racks, and cleaned the squad bay.

17Sep09 Week 07 Day 04

We had a lot of classroom instruction today, starting with Work Life where Mrs.  Grant taught us about all the resources we have at our fingertips now, such as free counseling for ourselves and our families.  Afterwards we attended an informative class on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and self examinations.   In the evening we spent quite a bit of time studying for the important final on Friday.  Some recruits took better notes than others, and everyone sat in groups in the squad bays and helped each other out. 

18Sep09 Week 07 Day 05

Charlie-182 graduated today, pushing us one step closer to 25Sep09, only 06 days and a wake-up call left before we’re done with recruit training.  Things are still going well; we earned the Section Commander pennant, presented to us by SKC Bou himself.   We also received the physical fitness pennant for completing all the physical requirements in recruit training.  We ran through the confidence course, having a blast (well, most of us!) and obtaining some rather impressive bruises.  There were hurdles, walls, and a giant net we had to climb over.  You may still be able to see some of those bruises next Friday!  We took the final exam today as well, and everyone passed.  Congratulations to those shipmates who earned a score of 100%.  After finding out our company average, we discovered that we also earned a pennant for academic achievement.  06 pennants for Delta company so far, only 01 to go, from the Battalion Commander.

19Sep09 Week 07 Day 06

Today was a big test for us, off-base liberty.  Fortunately no one got in trouble and we had a great time out on the town.  Taxis were waiting outside the gates in the morning to take us to nearby Rio Grande or Wildwood, where we split up in small groups.  Some recruits decided to get hotel rooms and catch up on some much needed sleep, while others went to the movies, shopped, stuffed their faces and chatted on the phone.  It felt a bit strange, being turned loose again in the real world and not having someone direct us every step of the way.  We still had to maintain a certain military bearing and represent the Coast Guard well, but we had fun at the same time.  Our company commanders were both shocked and proud when we all came back in time and heard that no one had gotten in any trouble!

20Sep09 Week 07 Day 06

We had our last divine hours today-hard to believe.  We wore our Tropical Blue Long uniforms all morning, good practice for graduation next Friday.  Following afternoon chow we went on our last off-base run through Cape May, singing cadences at the top of our lungs.  It was kind of bittersweet-it’s something we are going to miss.  There are a lot of mixed emotions this week.  Although we are all excited and looking forward to seeing our family and friends again, we will be sad as well.  Sad to leave our shipmates, DCC Garry, YNC Howe, DC1 Wingate and our home away from home at Healy Hall.   It’s been a long journey to get to this point and graduation will surely be one of the proudest moments of our lives.   A big thank you to the readers of this blog.  Every shipmate of Delta-182 is grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received from all of you through letters and phone calls.   See you on Friday! 

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