CAPE MAY, N.J. - Coast Guard Training Center Cape May announced its new blog aimed at improving communication with its many publics Monday.

The new blog can be accessed at http://bootcamp.coastguard.dodlive.mil/ and will be the home of future blogs about Training Center Cape May. It will include recruit journals, preparation materials for applicants and information about our impact in the community. 

It will allow users to comment on articles, share their favorite blogs and much more. 

30APR2013

It can easily be said that arrival to basic training was the most exciting and nerve wracking experience that many members of recruit company Golf-188 have ever been a part of. With recruits coming from places ranging from Hawaii to Alaska and all places in between. From the first glimpse of the gate to the bus reversing into place to begin our introduction to Coast Guard basic training, Golf-188’s collective heart was going a mile a minute. Within the first three days, we lost our first shipmate and got us accustom to the treats of recruit life. The word yelling took on a whole new meaning on Friday when golf-188 was introduced to our company commanders. Over indoc weekend, recruit company Golf-188 did more rounds of pushups than each member can possibly recall. It also saw us take three of our initial fitness tests. While overall performance was not what one would call stunning, it can be easily stated that each recruit gave it their upmost effort. It should also be said that sleep has become something entirely new for Golf-188. Learning to sleep with watches passing through has become one of the more pressing issues for the company.  To sum up the whole experience of golf-188’s first week as Coast guard recruits, expectations were shattered, eardrums were rattled, pavement was pushed, shots were given, crunches were crunched, food was eaten, tears were shed and each member of the company will loathe the words “flutter kick”. 

06MAY2013

With introduction to recruit life and indoc week end behind us, Golf-188 started recruit training week 02 with Fire, Fire, Fire! Early morning incentive training sessions have become a bit of recruit training. Day 01 of week 02 also saw the start of more focused learning, as well as the onset of the company’s physical fitness training classes. Most recruits in the company have grown familiar on how to speak in a military fashion. But occasionally civilian jargon will spit out. Each day Golf-188 spends marching in formation, the collective rhythm keeps improving. To help us along that path in keeping in cadence, the company commanders have introduced “Ditties” to call and respond with phrases to help keep us together. We have even started to adapt the flow of traffic on the mess deck. For many recruits, Monday also marked the first time they had to venture out on the regiment themselves.  

07MAY2013

Day 02 of week 02 started out the same as the first day. The company woke up with a fire drill and an incentive training session before chow. The slightly cooler temp and thick fog coverage was a welcome relief from the warmer weather from previous days. After morning chow, the company went off to the gym for another physical fitness training class. Others were sent to dental, medical and some went to get their dress issues for ceremonial. The company later reconvened in the morning for a recap of indoc procedures and then headed to noon chow. The afternoon brought a light rain and more classes. The marching continues to improve as the group becomes familiar with the cadences and calling responses. More complex close order drill is being introduced daily.

08MAY2013

Day 03 of week 02 began with more rolling fog which is quite a change for those of us who did not grow up near the ocean or places with cooler temps. The weather helped regenerate some recruits today because of its calm nature. Day three brought about a new physical element for Golf-188. We got on stationary bikes and did a 45 minute interval training session. After that class, we had two very important knowledge classes accompanied by tests. Today we also were issued our pieces. A de-militarized rifle use for close order drill and marching. Another day brought more marching, incentive training, classes and a slightly brighter picture for what the future holds.  

09MAY2013

“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again” is the expression many of the members of Golf-188 are saying in the heads. Although our day was filled with more incentive training then we had hoped for, there were a couple of high points for the company. Today we marched to the gym to take our swim assessment. The good news is that a majority of us passed it. Next was noon chow. Our company commanders constantly asked us knowledge questions and required knowledge. From chow, we began marching to class practicing our close order drill. This did not go so well so we received more incentive training. Next we did a sign in and out drill which consisted of a lot of running. This was easily 5 miles. The mosquitoes here are terrible. They bite every inch of our skin. We hope tomorrow will be a better day. 

10MAY2013

Today we started out with another fire drill, incentive training session and laps around the parade field. Today we were introduced to 03 new recruits. We are looking forward to speaking to the “new kids on the block” and see if they can help us with recruit training. Later in the day we practiced our marching. As an incentive to do better, we formed up on the quarterdeck and had to sound off our chain of command while right facing the entire time. Basically spinning in a circle for like 45 minutes. It may not see like fun but it helped us remember our chain of command. Hopefully these sunny days continue because we have 06 more weeks left.

11MAY2013

Required knowledge is a term that makes most of Golf-188 want to cry. Hopefully soon when our company commander challenges us with required knowledge, we will be able to respond with the correct answers with no problem. As a whole, golf-188 is holding up. Not as well as we had hoped, but doing okay. Later that day we got to meet our mentor. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Antonucci. This lifted our spirits. We were able to ask him questions about life after boot camp and in the Coast Guard. It reminded Golf-188 that we are putting ourselves through this to be a part of the world’s finest, the United States Coast Guard.

Week 07 Summary 

Back to the grind again!  Hard to believe this is our last Sunday but fine by us since here comes Friday.  Sunday carried out pretty awesome.  Chapel was of high energy, it felt great to share advice behind the pulpit and just show our Trops off to the regiment.  Yet out of the entire day our focus was on the company run.  Man, we live for those.  We totally out did it today making all of Cape May aware of whom we are.  It felt great to have that warm air back too.  The run is always worth the wait, especially with how it ended.  I swear I will never forget that mental image for as long as I live.  On our cool down march we sang out loudly to my favorite cadence “some say freedom is free”.  It never fails to give me goose bumps from the magnitude of respect released from singing it.  As we marched what struck my attention was this little boy who could have been no more than 3 years old standing there smiling and waving an American flag. In that moment my eyes were instantly filled with tears, it was just a great reminder of why we are all here and what we joined for.  We want to leave this place better than how we found it for the next generation.  Seeing my country’s colors in the hands of that next generation brought it all full circle and really gave me a true sense of pride for what we came here to do day in and out.  Its how we should all feel and should always feel.

MON 06MAY13 

Week six started today and we got to kick it off in a great way.  Chief Griffin had a surprise for us when we arrived at the galley for morning chow…Coffee!  Even though certain historian log writers happen to have the taste buds of a five-year-old and happen to think that coffee tastes “icky”, the majority of the company was super excited.Today also marked the start of fire-fighting week.  Petty Officer Thompson taught us about the different types of fire and the methods of putting them out.  It was pretty cool, but the real fun will be tomorrow when we get to put out a real fire.  Morale wise, we’re doing really well right now.  Our Company Commanders have almost completely stopped playing their “Games” with us and are really focusing on our training.  Right now our biggest threat is probably just plain complacency.  There are times already where we get a little too relaxed and our Company Commanders have to remind us that we’re still in Boot Camp and give us a little incentive training. 

Semper Paratus

Echo-188 

TUES 07MAY13

We had a big firefighting day today.  We learned how to properly put on a protective fire suit and oxygen mask.  What Happened next, or more so lack of what happened next was a real sign of how we’ve matured as a company…not one person did a Darth Vader or Bane impersonation even though the masks made us all sound just like them…now that takes maturity.

Later, we went to a class on how we’re going to travel back home and to our first assignments after we graduate.  It’s really exciting to think that soon we’ll be buying plane tickets to get us out of here. 

Semper Paratus

Echo-188 

WED 08MAY13

Our theme of firefighting continued today.  We got all suited up in all of our gear, the full jump suit, boots, fire hood, helmet, oxygen tank, everything…and the fire we ended up fighting was just a picture of one on some sort of water proof television screen.  Yes, we realize how incredibly dangerous it would have been to send a bunch of completely inexperienced recruits into a burning building, but we were honestly a little disappointed.Not too much happened after that.  We’ve been spending a lot of time just working on keeping ourselves squared away and keeping everything clean and tidy.  A few shipmates have been able to contact their stations and get some cool information on what they’re going to be doing in just a few weeks but most of us are still waiting.  

Semper Paratus

Echo-188

FRI 09MAY13

We got to fight each other with Pugil sticks again today.  Always hilariously entertaining.  It’s just amazing to see shipmates beat the heck out of each with these padded sticks.  It pretty much makes everyone happy. After that we met up with Master Chief Berry and ran a run called the Munro Mile.  We were all challenged to run a mile as fast as we could and ran a course set up around the regiment.  The company did really well, with all four of the top male finishers doing their mile in at least under six minutes and thirty seconds. We’re all really looking forward to tomorrow because we’ll be getting on base liberty.  We get to do pretty much whatever we want for the entire afternoon.  That means that we get our phones.  We all might explode from social overload, but tomorrow’s going to be amazing.

Semper Paratus

Echo 188

SAT 10MAY13

We had our on-base liberty today and it was the best.  We all got to go to the exchange and buy as much candy and junk food as we wanted.  Most of us also went to this restaurant called the Harbor View where we got to eat French fries, chicken wings, burgers, and hot dogs.  We stuffed ourselves full of food.  We’re totally going to feel it tomorrow, but it was worth it.  The biggest thing about today though was getting our phones back for the afternoon.  Getting to freely talk to family and friends was crazy.  We were all so insanely happy, it was just the break that we needed.  Next week we get off base liberty, so we’re already looking forward to that.  That’s pretty much the end of week 6 though, only two more weeks to go!

Semper Paratus

Echo 188

06MAY13 

And the rollercoaster ride, that is, Boot camp, continues on for Foxtrot-188. We spent 08 hours of our day at the armory getting some real hands on work with the Coast Guard issued handgun. The company learned all the proper nomenclature for the handgun and how to dis-assemble and then re-assemble it quickly and with precision. The company then went to the basic pistol marksmanship part where we learned how to qualify as a marksmen, sharpshooter, or expert. We then came back to the squad bay, put on our dress uniforms, and went and took our official Coast Guard portraits. Getting to dress into our Bravos and combination cover was a great taste of what is only a month away. We deep cleaned all squad bays for about an hour, then had a thorough inspection of our racks done by our Lead Company Commander. Today was a great rebound for Foxtrot after the complete meltdown yesterday. If we can keep this momentum going, boot camp can take a turn, but we have  to stay focused and take our day,  just an hour at a time. Hopefully we will carry this into tomorrow and many days beyond.    

07MAY13 

Today marks exactly one month until Foxtrot has the honor of becoming full-time members of the United States Coast Guard. Today we learned about the level of commitment it takes to carry out the calling of the Coast Guard. During this class we learned about some of the heroes of the Coast Guard that proudly gave their lives in the line of duty. We then learned about the proper way to display colors in the morning and the evening. Some of our shipmates were honored with the privilege of during colors for the entire regiment. It is a surreal feeling to be part of such a long line of tradition. Because we had another good day, we were rewarded with a long session of Manual of Arms, where we learned several new moves as well. After another good day, Foxtrots morale and optimism continues to grow with the thought of graduation becoming a reality and our careers about to begin.   

08MAY13 

All the incentive training, aches, pains, sweat, and sores paid off today. Foxtrot had a vast majority of its shipmates pass the Coast Guard physical fitness assessment by flying colors. Those who did not will be able to, with relative ease in just a few days. Before that accomplishment, we gained useful insight on the enlisted careers and their civilian counterparts. We also learned about the housing opportunities that will be available to us when we are fully active members. Our Company Commanders gave us a mock squad bay inspection, that opened our eyes to how thorough we have to be on even the slightest detail. We ended the day with our weekly Chaplain visit, which always brightens our day and allows us to remember what it is like to not be a recruit. Our company morale continues to stay high as we continue to have good days. Tomorrow is a day all recruits look forward to, and hopefully it will go as anticipated..  

09MAY13 

Today was Foxtrot’s best day in basic training. We started the day by taking our seamanship practical and a majority of the company significantly improved or got a perfect score. Following chow the active duty members finally got to fill out their “Dream Sheets”, after four weeks of waiting. This made our active duty shipmates extremely optimistic for their careers. It’s crazy to think that by this time next week we will know where the next step in our careers is heading. Despite our subpar squad bay maintenance grade from yesterday, we scored near perfect on our official squad bay inspection. Because of our more recent performance we unlocked evening routine which gives us almost an hour of personal time to recollect our thoughts and catch up on required knowledge. Obviously our morale is at an all time high, we have to stay humble and remember to take each day hour by hour. It seems like Foxtrot is starting to figure this all out at a perfect time with the most difficult week staring us straight in the face.   

10MAY13 

Today was a bit of a reality check for Foxtrot. After several good days in a row, our confidence got the better of us. After our normal wake up routine we went to the gym for a difficult workout, focusing on muscle endurance. Later on our company took our midterm exam and many shipmates scored in the nineties or above. From there our male shipmates got their haircuts and returned to how they looked during week 01. From then until the end of the night we sweated because of the mistakes we made during the day due to our over confidence. Foxtrot may not have had its best day but every day good and bad continues to bring us closer as a company and shipmates.  

11MAY13 

Foxtrot was able to bounce back from its rookie mistake and come out full steam ahead. We were let down at first because mother nature decided to open up the skies which kept us from Pugil Stick fighting, which was definitely something we had been looking forward to all week. Although, there was some good made out of it because we got a lot of time to begin fine tuning our manual of arms. To see where we sat, our Company Commanders gave us a mock close order drill (marching) and manual of arms test. This opened our eyes to how much further we still have to go until we have everything dialed in. Foxtrot then had another intense cycle class which is slowly starting to become a workout we all look forward to. The company split for choir, uniform maintenance, and bringing down evening colors. Coming into this extremely difficult week we have in front of us, we all need to remain confident but humble, and to remember to not get complacent. Complacency is a recruits worst enemy and if we are able to avoid that we will be squared away for the remaining time here at Tracen Cape May. 

12MAY13 

Foxtrot had its first real taste of pride on this beautiful Mothers day. While most of America was sharing lunch with their mothers we were out taking a run through Cape May, New Jersey. It was a surreal feeling having people cheer us on and thank us for our service we have yet to fully carry out. Having a small kid salute you while waving an American flag will bring anyone out of a slump they are in. Shouting cadences throughout Cape May made each shipmate much more proud to be a part of F-188 and the U. S. Coast Guard. The remainder of the day was spent getting prepared for the intense week that lies ahead. Week 05, known as SAR week, separates the recruits that are ready to move forward in training and those who may need additional time in training. It will force us to break through all the mental and physical barriers and allow us see what we are made of. The anxiety is starting to kick, but hey, they say it’s possible, just look at all of the members of the Coast Guard right now. We are ready for obstacles that lay ahead and are ready to get it going. 

Week 06 Summary 

So close… Yet so far!  Week 06 down, just two more to go.  However, if these next two weeks unravel as smoothly, or better than this one, it would be alright with us. It seems like the impossible is now easily becoming possible; especially when you have a freshly formed company on the regiment to look at and use as a “point of reference” for improvement.  Delta-188 has come a long way. From struggling with 10 minute time objectives, scrambling to be on time, to now helping button up properly each others’ uniforms, clean and neatly sort our racks, all within those 10 minutes.  Next hardest objective is to get better than that, but hey, they say it’s possible.

      So this week has truly provided an insane amount of motivation to get through this.  From fighting fires, knowing our roots in Coast Guard history classes, contacting our units and becoming the senior company on the regiment.  Dang it feels so good!  The feeling was enhanced today when we were able to tour our future occupational facilities, such as a small boat station, the CGC Vigorous, and even board the signature 47’ motor life boat.  During those tours all we could do was smile and look at each other like when a child smashes their piggy bank to head over to the toy store. Man, we are restless at this point. Personally I’ve never been more excited for anything else as much as this. I mean, c’mon what kind of girl would turn down a sailor?! Exactly, not one. Delta-188 is hungry so gang way; because we promise to be the best possible asset to the fleet ever!  A disappointment is not even in our vocabulary at this point.  It’s what we think of when we now, sleep, eat, and work out.

Just one thing stands in the way, unfortunately.  Monday’s Battalion Commander’s inspections; Aw, man, we’re all scared for our lives. It probably won’t be as bad as we expect, but the fact that we’re so close to the end is just a vision none of us want to lose. It is nothing to really fear if we continue excelling like we have been though.  So our fingers are crossed! C’mon, Delta-188!

MON 29APR13

We had a scary morning today.  It was scary because we had a uniform inspection scheduled with Master Chief Berry, a person whom our Company Commanders like to remind us, has the ability to instantly revert any of us back to week one.  The inspection ended up not going terribly well.  It wasn’t like most tests or inspections here, there was no screaming, no running around or craziness.  Master Chief Berry just walked around and calmly pointed out the flaws in every single person’s uniform until he got through us all.  He then went on to explain how we’re going to be held to a higher standard now that we’re into week five and how our training is going to take a turn towards us being treated like real members of the military.  Real members of the military get to watch TV, have phones, and get on the internet right? 

Semper Paratus Echo-188

TUES 30APR13

So this week has been what our Company Commanders like to call “SAR Week”.  “SAR” stands for search and rescue, and the idea of “SAR Week” is to practice getting ready quickly, just like we’ll have to when we’re out in the fleet and only have a few minutes to get ready to respond to an emergency.  However, for us it’s not so much getting ready to respond to an emergency as it us getting seven minutes to wake-up, change into our full uniform, make our racks, brush our teeth, and shave.  Not a lot of time for goofing around or even talking.  Most of us actually make the time objective though.  That probably isn’t good news in terms of personal hygiene, but hey, at least we’re fast.  A plus for “Sar Week” is that we aren’t woken up to “Fire, Fire, Fire!” this week , which is amazing.  It’s much more relaxing to wake up and not immediately sprint outside.

Semper Paratus Echo 188

Wed 01MAY13

We had another good day today.  First, we had a really great stationary bike workout led by Master Chief Berry.  Part of the reason it was such a great workout was because everyone there was putting forth a lot of effort.  Having a guy around that can kick you out of boot camp if he doesn’t think that you’re trying hard enough is really good motivation.

After our workout we had a really fun time in our Seamanship class.  We practiced putting on personal flotation devices and to see who was the fastest.  We’re all really excited to get our orders tomorrow so stay tuned in to see how that works.

Semper Paratus Echo 188

THURS 02MAY13 

Big news!  We got our orders today.  We have people going all over the country from Boston, San Francisco to Alaska.  Some people weren’t very excited with their orders, but most of us were really happy with our assignments. 

It’s really starting to feel like we’re progressing.  Our Company Commanders are starting to let us be more independent, we’re doing things right, and now we have our orders.  The light at the end of the tunnel is finally getting bigger.

Semper Paratus Echo 188

FRI 03APR13

It was a slower day today, but still a good one.  We’re still all really excited about getting our orders and are having to remind ourselves throughout the company to stay calm and collected through the remainder of basic training. 

We did a lot of marching and manual of arms practice today, with hardly any incentive training!  Our Company Commanders finally trust us enough to do things on our own such a practice drills or movements.  It may not seem like much, but there’s a huge difference between getting to practice what we’re learning here and picking up and dropping a pen for an hour straight (hint, one of them is terrible).

Semper Paratus Echo 188

SAT 04APR2013

Not to over exaggerate or anything, but today had to have been one of, if the, best day we’ve had here.  First, we got to go to the Confidence Course, which is basically a cool “Ninja Warrior” type obstacle course we have here on base.  We all had a blast doing it, and really had a lot of fun.  Next, Chief Griffin Marched us back to Munro Hall, where we saw our Colors planted in the grass waiting for us.  For those of you that don’t know, company colors are really important and must be earned.  It’s a really big deal when a company earns them.  Hopefully we’ll keep proving that we deserve our colors. 

After getting our colors we had a meeting with our company mentor, Commander Doucette.  He gave us a lot of great advice on what to do and what not to do at our new units. 

To finish off the night, most of the company went to Choir Practice.  It may sound silly, but the singing and relaxing environment really seems to help a lot of the recruits unwind.  Choir practice is probably the happiest you’ll see recruits other than the day that they graduate.

Semper Paratus Echo 188

SUN 05APR2013

We had a pretty good Sunday.  Divine hours took up the first half of the day, giving us time to get whatever we needed to get done, done.  We didn’t have as much time as usual today though because we’ve started getting assigned to watches on Sunday mornings now too.  Basically, we go to a hall somewhere here on base, clean, stand, and stand some more.  The hardest part of it is not falling asleep, especially when you’ve already had watch just a few hours earlier in the middle of the night.  Watch standing here at Cape May is pretty much  an experiment to see what happens when you take a bunch of young people, make them exercise a lot, and then wake them up in the middle of the night to go stand in a dark hallway, ensuring that they get four hours of sleep or less.

We had another awesome company run after divine hours finished up.  It was really fun and we ran a bit longer than we did last time.  The singing is probably the most fun, but just getting to be off of the base is amazing.  You remember all of the things that you’ve forgotten since you’ve been here.  It’s like, “Oh look! There’s a dog over there! I haven’t seen one of those things in a really long time!” Or, “Wow look over there, all of those people walking together over there aren’t even wearing the same thing! That’s amazing.”

Semper Paratus Echo 188

29APR13 

Today was an extremely trying day for Foxtrot. We started off the day with our first day of hands on training by learning about survival float and the stages of hypothermia. But from that point on Foxtrot couldn’t seem to get it together. During both of our classes on the Montgomery G. I. Bill and sexual assault prevention we again lost our military bearing and were greatly punished both times. The remainder of the day was spent physically training, towards the end of the night many of the higher ranking Company Commanders came into our squad bays to conduct a variety of inspections including racks, uniforms, and general required knowledge. After words we had another bike workout; then to close the day, the evening concluded with a deep cleaning of our squad bays. If Foxtrot wants to have a successful week 03 we need to shape up quickly.   

30APR13 

Today was a full day for Foxtrot, the morning did not start off good when again we failed to meet any of our time objectives and then punished. After a short session at the gym we went to our first class on safety procedures while in the fleet. It was by far our longest class to date because the Coast Guard takes the safety of its members very seriously. Almost right after, we had part I of two History classes on the Coast Guard. It was interesting to learn about the origins of our branch of the military. After another bike workout; which, although are difficult, we do enjoy. Finally to finish the night we took part II of history learning this time about the more famous members and ships. Overall it was very inspirational to learn about those great men and women. Today was a good day for Foxtrot although it didn’t start out like it; we can only hope to maintain this upward momentum.  

01MAY13 

Today was a difficult day for Foxtrot. Our company pride and intensity seemed to go away, and with that came a lot of training. Today we gained some useful knowledge on how to advance in paygrade and about leave and liberty. From that point on, it was a day filled with incentive training to remind us of all our shortcomings. To go along with the physical training, Foxtrot returned to the squad bay, and it was in shambles. It ranged from all our “Go-Fasters” tied together in a giant knot, to the gear locker in the head being ripped apart. The incentive training ended with a teamwork exercise were the seabags where tossed down a line from shipmate to shipmate. When we returned to the squad bay, we had to unload the seabags;  one item at a time. The conclusion of the night was our weekly visit from the Chaplain, which gave us all a second to relax and smile. Our Company Commanders then gave us our company creed which motivated all of us to no end, we were louder and prouder than ever before and we’re all beginning to take real pride in our company.  

02MAY13 

Today was by far Foxtrot’s best day as a company. We began the day by making all of our morning time objectives. As a reward we got to work on our Manual of Arms and on the way to chow some of our shipmates got to call cadence for the formation. We then took a class about the code of conduct all service members must adhere to. We were surprised at lunch when we were able to eat with 40 different dignitaries coming from different militaries across the globe. Right after lunch we had our first seamanship class which was something we’ve been looking forward to, it gave us a glimpse at what we will be doing in the not so distant future. With some of our days getting better they seem to go by much faster. We are finally starting to come together as a company. We hope we can continue to improve so training will become more bearable and exciting.  

03MAY13 

Today was another day filled with highs and lows for Foxtrot. Our high came when for a second morning in a row we made our time objectives and again got rewarded by practicing Manual of Arms and another shipmate leading the march to chow. Our first class of the day was about the different Ships, Aircraft, and Boats of the Coast Guard. All of Foxtrot was very interested in this class because most of us want to get out into the fleet as soon as possible. Later we had another seamanship class on line and knots which again we enjoyed due to the hands on aspect. The last thing we did was watch a presentation from the Coast Guard Color Guard or Honor Guard, which we were unable to maintain our military bearing. When we returned to the squad bay we were surprised with a ruck sack inspection which most of us failed and instead of the whole company getting punished, it was just the squad leaders; the remaining company had to watch which made it worse. As a company we have to stop taking one step forward and two back. 

04MAY13 

Today was another leap for Foxtrot. The day began with the company screaming at the top of their lungs during morning workout, easily completing each time objective our way, and maintaining our military bearing through the thick and rough. Our day was completely filled with seamanship that allowed us to catch a glimpse of our future. We learned helm commands and then had to race against Hooper from Jaws to see if we could tie the knot faster, and before Quint shot his spear gun. We deep cleaned each squad bay and meticulously worked on our racks and uniforms to make them inspection ready. Some of the company attended choir where they could relax and bond with their shipmates. The company morale is at an all time high, and we can actually see ourselves improving and gaining small freedoms. If we can keep this momentum going, Boot camp will take a turn for the better, and our days won’t seem as long. 

05MAY13 

Today was another day of highs and lows for Foxtrot. The morning was one of our best; we made our time objectives and had a productive 5 hours to do what we needed to do before starting week 04. After divine hours however, it seemed to quickly go downhill fast. Foxtrot kept making the same mistakes as we did in week 02 and we paid for it in sweat. Every time our Company Commanders tried to teach us something we would make a silly mistake from week 02 and then we would pay for it. Foxtrot went to bed frustrated tonight, it still seems every time we take one step forward we go two back. We know we can be a great company, and when we have days like yesterday we know we have the potential to do great things during our time, we just need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.