Coast Guard Recruit Company X-Ray 182 weekly journal posted March 9, 2010

Week 06

X-Ray 182 started off the week under the microscope of scrutiny as our Battalion Commander inspected our near flawless uniforms and boots so shiny they may have damaged his retinas.  Battalion Commander Senior Chief Wong emphasized that we had the best uniform inspection on the regiment since October 2009.  Our company commanders were slightly amused with our results.  As the week progressed X-Ray 182 was fitted for our service dress bravo uniforms meaning one step closer to being Guardians of the Sea.

X-Ray experienced a large lactic acid build up in our quadriceps due to repetitive use of the Life Cycle.   We began at level 13 and went up to levels we did not know were programmed into the bike.  Our legs were silly puttied after the workout and our Company Commanders were side by side pumping doing the same workout with us.  Also, peppering us with a flurry of encouragements and taunts, it helped us all get through it “If an 80 year old man can do it, you can too!”

Later in the week shipmates were biting their nails in eagerness for our first assignments.  Around 70% of X-Ray will be going to cutters.  The orders varied greatly ranging from the beaches of Hawaii to the tropical island of Puerto Rico up to the warm sunny beaches of Alaska.  The landlubber stench is off so the “Captain Crunch” ban has been lifted meaning all of X-Ray can indulge once again into Captain Crunch.

X-Ray 182 is now vaccinated in defense of small pox being used as biological warfare!  Friday morning every recruit was on the edge of their seats with anxiety over this mysterious vaccine, but it was discovered that it was all hype and no pain. 

Saturday morning was a superb day for the company. We were introduced to the confidence course.  It is comprised of a series of daunting tasks that works out the entire body.  In the past recruits have risked many a limb trying to overcome the course, but X-Ray made it through unscathed.   Many would not attempt the course under normal circumstances but with 67 shipmates cheering you on, anything is possible.  To complete the course you have to climb a 20 foot rope straining every muscle in your upper body and once you get to the top you ring the bell and shout your name out as loud as you can.  As you come down the rope you are engulfed by a sea of “good jobs,” pats on the back and handshakes from all shipmates.  Just as we were on cloud 09 from completing the confidence course we turned around and our faces instantly shifted to disbelief and awe.  As Chief Melancon presented our X-Ray flag to us, everyone was awash with glee and accomplishment as we thought the day could not get any better.   As we marched back to our squad bays, our chests filled with pride.   X-Rays’ mentor, Commander Prestidge, paid us a visit and did not leave until every question was answered about our first assignments.  The anxiety has now turned to excitement and anticipation for the near future that lies ahead. 

For the week finale we got our first taste of leaving the base.  We had the chance to run 3.2 miles through the streets of Cape May with our flag soaring high and civilians cheering us on from the sidewalk.  X-Ray 182 was the only company during the off-base run that did not have a shipmate drop out, as we have discovered the bike workouts are beneficial to our endurance.  And that’s the way it is!!!!

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