NOVEMBER-182

Monday, 23NOV09

The morning started with a fire drill, feels good to know exactly what to do when the alarm goes off, and to know that the sailor to your port or starboard doesn't need you to hold their hand.  Today we had First Aid/ CPR class the entire morning, this was Lifesaver INDOC. We had the entire morning doing EMS drills and learning how to dress wounds, from first to third degree burns, broken bones, smoke inhalation, compound fractures, electrocution, amputations, and everything in between.  Nothing like afternoon chow right after some gruesome battle dressings. After we fueled up we slapped together mannequins for some CPR practical, some emergency response, and some airway recovery drills. We were told stories about how basic knowledge of these lifesaving techniques has sent some recruits out mere months into the fleet already saving lives, from infant to elderly. The late evening we were granted time from Chief Howe to contact our units and snip off loose ends so we are fully prepared for the not so distant, hectic future.  We lined up late in the evening and received all the hundred or so letters that have massed up from this weekend’s supply of mail. Week 07 is a hectic but welcome time for NOVEMBER, we like getting to know more about our Company Commanders, we are excited for looking sharp in our dress uniforms, and we can't wait to meet our excellent hosts during Operation Fireside (Thanksgiving). Morale stays high, and we aim to keep it locked up tight.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Tuesday, 24NOV09

Rushing around here in week 07 is wearing NOVEMBER company out. From the moment we wake up we are leaving fire trails in our stead. We had an early Seamanship class down at the docks with our new instructor BM3 Stoltz. Our new instructor taught us proper methods of chocking a mooring line to a pier (parking a boat).  We used this knowledge to fire lines off the side of the training cutter outside seamanship with the call "Heads up on the pier" we heaved rescue line across the docks attempting to bulls eye close to the cleats, bollards, and chocks (dock and deck fittings used for mooring and securing line) on the dock. It feels good to stand out in the brisk Jersey air and work on our sailor techniques.  Directly following chow we had our close order drill test with our Section Commander Chief Heinzman.  We performed flawlessly... that is until he told us how well we did... then we were ordered back to the barn to prepare for afternoon class and we had a complete meltdown.  Chief Heinzman's first 10/10 award quickly turned around on us as we marched off in the wrong direction. The afternoon was spent with a work-life program teaching us do's and don'ts as well as suggestions and helpful information on how to live clean and healthy lives. HS1 Allen met up with us directly afterwards, she taught us some helpful tips and information about our medical health.  The evening was spent on work detail with Seaman Trimpe cleaning the Gym.  The rest of NOVEMBER cleaned and contacted their units during the evening.  We have a busy tomorrow to get to.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Wednesday, 25NOV09

Today in NOVEMBER world we had quite the busy day.  For some E-1s it was more workload than they have had in all their time here at TRACEN.  The morning started once again with a race out to Seamanship to meet with BM3 Stoltz. We spent the morning having recruits pair off at the mooring station and the chock man (or woman) as we had our line handling test.  The test went well, although we could use a bit more practice we are starting to look like sailors.  The recruits who are filling billets at STA (small boat stations) and 110s (patrol boats) headed down to Goff hall for some pistol practice on the new state of the art training simulator.  They then headed down to the range to become qualified marksman for their law enforcement and boarding futures.  The rest of NOVEMBER spent the morning till chow competing in line handling drills and contests for the Seamanship award. Travel plans were arranged for those going directly to class “A” school with Ms Peggy while Mr. Garcia took appointments for those of us arranging a government move so that our HHG (house hold goods) are well looked after.  The evening was spent getting haircuts again.  This time however we weren't just shaved and sent on our way, we got the old high and tight cut, the traditional United States Military cut. We are feeling a lot more like Guardians and a lot less like hapless robotic recruits. Morale is up and down, when we do well it's hard to get excited anymore, it is expected we do well, when we do poorly the blow is more severe because we should know better by now. NOVEMBER is partaking in Operation Fireside tomorrow. We will be heading to sponsor families and being cared for while we are away from our loved ones.  We may not have the joy of seeing our families around the holidays and Aunt Pearl's pumpkin pie, but we are eternally grateful to these families for taking us into their homes and cooking us wonderful meals, giving us a place to feel the comfort of home during the would be lonely holiday.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Thursday, 26NOV09

Happy Thanksgiving from NOVEMBER-182.  Today was an extraordinary day for NOVEMBER company as we participated in Operation Fireside.  We headed after chow in pressed operational dress and shiny boondockers to head to the chapel where we met Commander Barrett (our local catholic priest) who partitioned us into groups to go to our hosts.  The recruits went all over the New Jersey area. Some went to the VFW and the local Moose Lodge, some to local families; even HS1 Allen took some of our shipmates to her home where they smoked a turkey.  Some recruits joined Veterans for a local high school football game the Eagles Vs the Mustangs (our team was way on top).  The gracious host families constantly insisted we relax and have a great day off, although we complied partially with their wishes and had a great time, we still volunteered for dishes, serving food, taking out the trash, and anything we could find to do to stay useful.  Many of the veterans sternly insisted that we take it easy, they told us stories from WWII to Vietnam to Iraq and we eagerly listened to their tales of bravery in service of our great nation.  We watched football with great fighting men and women and some enlisted Guardians. We were constantly befuddled by thanks from all these wonderful people who helped us attain phone calls to our loved ones, play games, pool, and darts, eat delicious meals and relax during a stressful time in our training careers. The thanks we received was for merely volunteering to serve our country, some thanks that these veterans never received themselves even after they had already given their tours of service.  We felt such honor in wearing our uniforms and in seeing the blinding smiles of these great Veterans as they looked upon a new generation of service men and women.  We could do nothing but thank them back for the great deeds they have done and the hospitality we received making us feel at home when we are still so far from it. This was truly an honor and a great operation, and we can't thank all those who helped make it happen enough.  We missed our families on Thanksgiving this year, but we reflected on what we were thankful for, and we are thankful for our loved ones, our veterans, our country, and the Coast Guard. Semper Paratus.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Friday, 27NOV09

Today was the Final Exam for the academic side of boot camp here at TRACEN.  Most recruits did very well on the test and we are still waiting to hear if we earned the Academic Pennant for our Guidon.  We got the go-ahead from Chief Howe for our off-base liberty.  Most of NOVEMBER company has planned a movie, brainstormed foods we have not yet seen here at the Galley, and planned purchases of "Go-Phones" so we can spend most of our free time catching up with our families.  This off-base trip isn't a vacation throughout; we have to keep our uniforms in good order, respond politely and evenly to all the wonderful people who live outside the training center, and not to do anything crazy. After all the American people are our bosses.  During the afternoon we marched down to Goff Hall for the last time to turn in our M-1 Garands, but, before turning them in to the GMs we gave them fond names (from 'betty' to the 'terminator').  It was sad to see our little pieces of history go. Most of NOVEMBER saved the serial number on the back of the piece to look up its history sometime in the future.  During the evening the awards were announced for our shipmates who showed improvement and achievement throughout the course of training here at Cape May.  Some shipmates had Manual of Arms competitions, some participated in the physical fitness award. All these awards will show the sailors special recognition during our graduation ceremony just 01 short week away.  We are all excited for our loved ones to come see the beautiful training center here (and hope the weather permits) as well as introducing you to our Company Commanders, who are responsible for transforming us from our former bewildered and directionless selves, into Guardians.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Saturday, 28NOV09

The day started with chow and a quick brief from YN1 Durrant about the Do's and Don'ts of off-base liberty.  We then marched down to the gates of the training center and 'flew' off into anxiously awaiting taxis.  The taxi services knew the drill, they were very helpful and knowledgeable about the area and helped NOVEMBER get where we needed to go. Most of NOVEMBER went directly to the Wal-Mart and picked up 'Go Phones' so we could traverse through our day with contact from our loved ones.  We enjoyed the local Wawas (excellent convenient stores which most of us want to take with us to our next duty station), got coffee, and figured out the lay of the land.  Most of NOVEMBER went to local motels for a "base camp" to store their belongings and watch some college ball, to take a earnestly awaited shower, or even to catch up on some sleep we lost AT-FP watch standing.  We spent some time at the theatre watching movies and relaxing, enjoying popcorn.  The day was extremely relaxing for the recruits, some were once again yelled at by off-duty permanent party members, not for acting crazy, but for snapping to attention and standing too rigid in lines.  Most of us were greeted by the local population with friendly handshakes and waves from cars while traversing through traffic, and in the local eateries some recruits had a few things paid for by thankful citizens.  We feel we are receiving gracious however undeserved respect as we are anxious to get out there and live up to the name Guardian.  We looked sharp enough in our dress uniforms that we stood tall and militarily representing our organization.  It was fantastic to be able to have a free run at phone calls as we answered long awaited questions from our loved ones and asked a few of our own.  The day was a success and everyone was back with plenty of time to spare as no one wanted to be AWOL (Absent without leave) for even a second so close to Week 08.  We are excited to close out week 07 and for our last off-base run tomorrow. We hope the weather holds out and we can sing loud cadence about our long awaited trip home.  Thanks to all the residents of the lower New Jersey area for taking care of us.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

Sunday, 29NOV09

Today is our last Sunday we will be spending here at Cape May The last time we will enjoy our divine hours polishing and ironing in the squad bays, attending church services, and forlornly our last cadence-filled Sunday run. Also added on the agenda was regimental watch, a week 08 duty to walk security during Divine Hours.  With our last week just around the bend we are very proficient now at using our limited resources to get things polished and pressed throughout the squad bays.  We finished off our divine hours with time to spare, donned our physical fitness gear and eagerly lined up bayside (facing towards the off-base gate) to enjoy our last off-base run.  The cadence was excellent as we sung about Yogi Bear, Spiderman, Superman, lifesaving, cold winds, and much to our predilection, graduation. After the run we were very happy to find out we achieved the Seamanship Pennant, for earning above a 90% company average at Seamanship. The Final Pennant, for earning a 90% company average on the final.  The Physical Fitness Pennant, for everyone in our company passing physical fitness. Finally we earned the Company Commander Pennant, awarded to us by YNC, YN1, and DC2.  We were extremely motivated receiving this pennant more than the academics, or physical fitness, not because those are not outstanding and stirring achievements, but it gets us pumped to know NOVEMBER's Company Commanders have faith in our ability. We made our way once again back to the nightmare of Sexton Hall where we initially got off the bus, this time it was to pick up our civilian bags we left behind many weeks ago, most of NOVEMBER can't even remember what we brought with us, it will be a nice surprise when we can dig back into them this coming Friday.  The evening hour we had a debrief with DC2 Sutton, he answered some questions, told us a good deal of advice about life in the fleet, and gave us a kick off point for our careers as Guardians.  Week 08 here we come, early wake-ups, hectic schedules, and great reward. NOVEMBER can't wait.

Goodnight, NOVEMBER-182

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