Week 05

28Dec09:    “Let me see your war face Sierra,” Chief Garry rang out as we circled around the ring ready to Pugil Stick fight.  We paired off with shipmates that were around our same size.  We geared up with helmets, bullet proof vests, lower body protection and the Pugil Sticks.  The sticks look like giant Q-Tips.  Needless to say Sierra has been anticipating these fights to let off some steam.  There was a lot of energy around the ring as we were cheering each other on.  It was a great morale booster for Sierra and it gave us a closer bond.

29Dec09:    Today Sierra took a trip over to Dempsey Hall for uniform distribution.  These uniforms bring us one step closer to graduation as we were fitted into our Bravos, or dress uniforms.  Everyone was excited and we all looked sharp.  We look forward to wearing these uniforms on graduation day in front of our families.  After wrapping up with our uniforms; it was time for Seamanship class where we learned about different distress signals.  Most common signals are smoke and flare signals which we even got to test with Petty Officer Martin.  We really enjoyed this despite the cold weather and wind ripping off the bay.  We’ll have to wait and see if Sierra can adapt to this “Coast Guard weather” and prove ourselves to be the guardians we are training to be.

30Dec09:    This morning Sierra learned about basic boat crew duties at a small boat station.  When we get out into the fleet, if stationed at a small boat station, we will be working towards getting crewman qualified on the boats at the station.  After learning our duties as boat crewman we learned about housing in the Coast Guard and where we will have to live depending on where we get stationed.  Later in the day we marched down to Goff Hall to take our Seamanship midterm and have a class on Personal Flotation Devices.  While en route to Goff Hall Chief Garry taught us marching cadences, in which we all thoroughly enjoyed. 

31Dec09:    With our sleeves rolled up Sierra formed it up into lines to receive more vaccination shots.  We got hooked up with Yellow Fever and Small Pox vaccinations.  These will protect us in case of any foreign attack.  But the big news today was that Sierra Company received our first duty station orders for the Coast Guard.  Most of us were surprised when we found out that one third of our company will be stationed overseas in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.  We range from being stationed on Cutters, small boat stations, and even Sectors.  Some of us seemed a little down about our orders but Chief Garry told us that more than likely those of us who are the most disappointed will end up having the best time.  After receiving orders we were allowed to make a five minute phone call home to our loved ones to let them know where we will be going after basic training.

01Jan10:    Happy New Year Sierra! We kicked off the New Year with some important drills used in the Coast Guard.  Many of us were stationed on cutters so we ran drills that would help us in case of an attack.  We simulated a torpedo striking the side of our cutter and there was extreme damage from fire and flooding.  Each person had a job to do and was responsible to complete it.  Everyone came to the drill with a ton of enthusiasm and we pulled together as a team even through all the mass confusion and miscommunications. During our de-brief with the Company Commanders they said they could see a change in our company and now we just need to carry out that momentum until the end of training.

02Jan10:    “Fire, fire, fire.” Sierra hasn’t heard this in a while so it was probably a good thing to have a change of pace in the morning.  We marched over to the Administration building to witness morning colors first hand.  We then met with our Company Mentor Lieutenant Foley.  Now that we have our orders he was able to answer more questions that we had.  From what is life like on a cutter to how are we going to move our families?  He even brought us College Football Bowl Game results which the Company was pretty happy about.  Lieutenant Foley was helpful with answering our questions and the next time we see him will be the night before graduation so this gives Sierra something to look forward to and hopefully help make the time go by faster. 

03Jan10:    First thing this morning we had our first uniform inspection by Senior Chief Wong.  Sierra pulled it together and passed the inspection.  Chief Garry told us he was very proud and gave us two claps for our good work.  We then commenced to divine hours to work on more uniform maintenance, getting racks squared away, and writing letters.  After divine hours we were told to put on our full Gore-Tex and form up outside in front of James Hall.  We then marched over to Sexton Hall where we weren’t quite sure of what was happening.  All of our company commanders were there as we formed up in the Sexton Hall classroom.  Chief Garry told us we have come a long way as a company and are really putting forth the effort to do well and coming together as a team.  Chief Garry then said, “Sierra you’ve earned these,” as he held up our company colors, or our company flag.  He then placed it on our guidon.  It was a proud moment for Sierra as we earned our colors in the place where it all began.  We now just have to keep working together and focusing on our training.  Don’t let it get to your head Sierra; we still have three more weeks of training.