Our Manual of Arms test was this past Tuesday and each company must pass the test in order to earn On-base liberty. Of course, most of us were pretty nervous, but we spent many hours each day practicing beforehand so we knew our stuff and we did it with confidence. It's hard to know if anyone else screwed up because each of us had our eyes in the boat so when we received a 9 out of 10, a large proverbial sigh of relief was let out. It would've been a perfect score, but a few people forgot their left from their right.Up next, Close Order Drill Test Tuesday. So with the requirement for On-base liberty checked off, we enjoyed the rest of the week learning Firefighting skills which was hard, but defiantly one of the most useful and hands on classes we've had yet. Our week was pretty light on the class schedule, but we had lot of business to take care of: small pox checkout, travel arrangements, career counseling, uniform corrections, etc. This was defiantly a week in which business was taken care of.

A very important checkpoint had been reached this past week: we've earned our colors. Every company carries their corresponding pennant, or flag, on the guidon that goes with the company every time they leave their squad bay. It allows other companies and permanent party members to know who is marching. The Kilo pennant represents us as a company and until just a few days ago, we had not earned the right to carry our own colors on our guidon. Each Lead Company Commander has to give his or her own seal of approval on the company before they are allowed to carry their colors and each Lead Company Commander has their own set of standards. The morning of our On-base liberty we were assigned to go through the surrounding neighborhood and pick up litter on the streets and on the beach. Our Lead Company Commander, AMT1 Quiggle, took a moment to talk to us about the recent loss of life due to the collision between a Coast Guard HC-130 plane and a Marine Corps helo. It is always a sad day when life is lost, but his words really hit home because we realized that not only could the people we were standing next to be killed, but we ourselves could lose our lives in what will now be our everyday work environment. Petty Officer Quiggle went on to discuss why accidents like this happen and how each person needs to be on top of their game. His words reminded us to remember that we are a part of something much greater than ourselves and the entire system fails if one person doesn't do their part. Petty Officer Quiggle gave us our colors because he saw that we were finally coming together as a team and working together to make sure that EVERYONE is on the same page. It's said time and time again: you're only as strong as your weakest link. Here in Basic Training, being the 'weakest link' just means they'll be pretty strong because they will be pushing the deck. Out in the fleet, being the 'weakest link' could cost lives and there's no amount of pushups that could ever make right that wrong. It was a great honor to receive our colors because that means we are expanding out past Kilo-182 to becoming a true Guardian. Since receiving our colors, I have to say, we do walk around a little bit taller.

After our morning of cleaning, were we given the rest of the day to go eat whatever junk food we wanted at the Exchange and hang out at the Harborview Lounge area where you can play pool and watch whatever game is on. To be honest, most of us spent our time making phone calls home and contacting our next unit. It was a much needed break. The best part was that we actually got to hang out with each other, laughing almost the entire day. It was one more thing that has helped to bring us closer together and we are all a better company for it.

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