23Nov09

Papa-182 began its day with starboard side doing pugel sticks it was very exciting and fun to watch the different types of competition battle it out and see who prevails. Port side, was unable to do pugel sticks because the weather turned foul and instead had to clean their squad bays while getting yelled at by their company commanders. Afterwards Papa Company had a class on the different types of pennants and what they mean. Our next class was another seamanship class, this time on radio communication and rescue signals. Our company yeoman is working on our duty assignments today and the company is anxiously waiting to hear where we are going to be stationed.

24NOV09

Papa company spent the morning at Dempsey hall being outfitted with their tropical blue uniforms everybody was excited and many were surprised at how much slimmer they have gotten in the last month. Later in the day the company got to test out signaling devices such as flares and smoke signals. We also had a test on these different devices and their uses. After the test we had a chance to try out radio communication as many of us will be standing watch at our first units where we’ll be manning radios and monitoring them for emergencies. We still haven’t received our orders but we have hope that we’ll receive them before thanksgiving break so we can notify our families. Mike- 182 graduated today which puts a little bit more pressure on Papa as we rise up the seniority ladder. We must come together stronger to gain the respect of our company commanders and the regiment; it’s not an impossible task and the decision is in our hands.

25NOV09

Papa-182 had its seamanship midterm today and everyone did fairly well. During seamanship we learned about different types of personal flotation devices and we all participated in trying to get them on as quick as possible. Morale in Papa had been running high for a number of reasons; all our company commanders have been calling cadences with us when we march off the regiment, we’ve been keeping our discipline in check, the company is going off base for thanksgiving tomorrow and last but certainly not least we’ve received our orders today. There were a lot of surprises and some were a little disappointed but the majority are ready willing and anxious to get to their stations.

26NOV09

We began the day by getting our operational dress uniforms inspection ready for operation fireside. Operation fireside is where local families and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars take in recruits so they can enjoy their thanksgiving off base. The company is thankful for the community showing such appreciation for our service and it makes us realize just how much the coast guard means to them. When we returned back to base the company knew it had to lock back on to its discipline to continue training. Tomorrow we are back to business as usual.

27NOV09

Today began and ended on a painful note for Papa Company. After breakfast the company received their small pox and yellow fever vaccinations. Many Coasties can expect to visit foreign ports or deal with migrants who come from places where these diseases are still active. None of the recruits were thrilled to be poked and prodded but we suffered through it as best we could. Classes today consisted of financial management, government housing, an operational risk management. In between we worked on our manual of arms drill; our test is next Tuesday and we are progressing but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure we pass. Unfortunately Papa let its self slip up and our practice session got cut short and instead we were given some remedial instruction till we got our act together and our heads on straight.

28NOV09

Today was a day of practice for our upcoming exams. We were worked on our manual of arms and close order drill. Both tests are extremely important because they show how well the company works as a team and how well they can follow and execute orders. We received some compliments today on how well we looked by another company’s company commander, something that is few and far between. Papa rode that high wave of morale as we continued into the evening. Many of us feel we are beginning to turn into a real company and hopefully the praise for papa will continue. We are of course looking forward to tomorrow’s divine hours, a chance to catch up on our uniforms and racks, as well as another off base run with a chance to sound off our cadences.

29NOV09

Papa began the day with divine hours and we squared away our uniforms, racks, and squad bays. Afterwards we practiced manual of arms, getting ready for Tuesdays test. After chow we went for another off base company run. We have these runs to motivate the company and help us come together and work as a team. Afterwards we came back to the squad bay to do some more practice of our manual of arms and the company is feeling confident about its test. We are starting to do the movements as one and that is key for success.

30NOV09

Today was an exciting day for Papa Company as we were revisited by our company mentor Admiral Pekoske. We again had a question and answer session, but this time with all the recruits having their orders, the questions we were much more pointed and the answers that much more significant. Admiral Pekoske is an enthusiastic and exciting mentor and we were very pleased that he noticed a change in our bearing and in the company’s attitude as a whole. We also received a motivational speech from one of our company commanders on tomorrows uniform inspection and manual of arms test. The respect of our company commanders is riding on the results and papa is anxious to please.

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