Yankee 182 weekly journal posted March 2, 2010

Week 03

Sunday's divine hours gave Yankee-182 a chance to catch up on tasks from ironing, boot shining and even writing home. Unfortunately, for most of Yankee-182 the relaxation did not end with divine hours. It took a little push from our company commanders to get us back on track. That night we began standing watch without the guidance of our senior company. At the end of the day, Yankee-182 was indeed ready to hit our racks.

The week started rough, and that is an understatement, for Yankee-182. We seem to be losing track of the various reasons that we decided to join the Coast Guard. Monday was spent mostly in dental and classes, but we did have spare time to partake in a few remedials as well as "paying taxes" to our company commanders. Most of the company is starting to realize that to survive Coast Guard boot camp together we need to pull it together as a team and be loud and proud. We are no longer the junior company on the regiment; however, it seems we still act like it at times. We did manage to relieve some stress at the gym with our core class and managed to have some personal time at the end of the day.

Tuesday was our survival afloat class. We suited up in mustang suits and for a minute it looked like a company of orange astronauts had invaded the pool. A mustang suit is a suit that keeps us afloat and has a minimal amount of protection against cold water. We utilized the suit to learn two different floats. We also had a class that taught us some of the perks of the Coast Guard. DC1 Wingate enlightened on the background of the Coast Guard with an class on discussing coast guard history and heroes. We practiced manual of arms movements that we were previously taught and gained knowledge of a few more. As we stood watch at the end of the evening, a bus rolled by. The bus was making it's way to Sexton Hall with the newest forming company.

Wednesday was a rough day on Yankee-182. It seems at times we think we have already graduated and we still have quite a way to go. It seems we have regressed in things we already knew, such as marching and self-discipline. Do not worry, our company commanders caught on real fast and took swift actions to correct our behavior. As we arrived back at James Hall from class, we noticed things were a little off in our squadbays. Actually, they were in complete disarray. It took some time to remedy the situation, and in the midst of it, we got a pleasant visit from Chaplain Barrett. He lifted our spirits with news from the world beyond the gates of Cape May. He talked to us about the Olympics as well as the approaching winter weather.

Throughout Thursday and Friday Yankee-182 continuously let our company commanders down. It was such a letdown to them that they deemed us civilians again and we deserved it. We are not pulling together as a team and it shows in every aspect of our daily routines. To those who really want to be here it was more than how it affected our company commanders, we were disappointed with ourselves. Pulling together as a team and stepping away from individuality is the only way we are going to bring every recruit to the same level. On Thursday the winter weather arrived and every step felt like we were marching in a tornado of snow, ice, and wind. Despite the lingering weather, we managed to carry on our schedule. In our classes we were given insight to the different vessels and stations we could be attached to, that is if we graduate recruit training.

Saturday took a little bit of incentive training and drills to make Yankee-182 realize that what we are doing here is serious. Most of the day was spent in seamanship class with DC2 George, learning how to be a helmsman (driver of a boat or ship) and tying our five basic knots. The weather has calmed down a bit here at Cape May as Yankee-182 is preparing to head into week 04. Saturday night we were split into port and starboard formations to accommodate us at the necessary classes we are beginning. It is a very challenging and exciting week ahead for the company. At the end of such a intense week of training, recruits are beginning to realize how training has affected us so much. Military terminology is starting to sneak into our letters home and even our prayers. Now, if we could only remember to use that terminology when sounding off on the regiment. Lights out Yankee-182 we have a busy week ahead.

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