14Sep09 Week 07 Day 01

On Monday morning we had a class on first aid, where we learned how to handle emergencies involving amputations, broken bones and other traumatic injuries.  It was very educational for most of us since a lot of the company has never been certified in any of these areas. 

Then we headed over to the gym to practice our CPR skills on mannequins, and learned how to use the automatic electronic defibulator.

15Sep09 Week 07 Day 02

Delta company is on top of the world today!  We kicked some serious butt for the Battalion Commander’s inspection of the squad bays.  They were SO spotless that he really had a hard time finding anything that wasn’t clean.  Truly amazing, considering our problems of only a few days ago.  Our Tropical Blue Long uniform inspection didn’t go quite as well, due to a large amount of loose threads and lint.  Yuck.  Oh well-we dusted ourselves off and rocked the regiment with a very tight Close Order Drill test.  In addition, we scored high enough on the Seamanship final to earn another pennant for the guidon.  Our company commanders are thrilled, and we are pretty darn proud of ourselves.  After today we can truthfully say we are the best here at Training Center Cape May.   Take that, Charlie and Echo!

16Sep09 Week 07 Day 03

Delta was nonstop busy all day.  Right after chow we marched over to Seamanship for a practical in heaving lines and line commands.  We spent the day out on the model cutter heaving lines over the port and starboard side.  We were lucky enough to have Auxilarist Mr. Smith come in early that morning to help our company perfect our skills.   After chow we left Seamanship and went straight to change out for our Swim Circuit class.   As usual, for evening routine we studied for the final on Friday, squared away uniforms and racks, and cleaned the squad bay.

17Sep09 Week 07 Day 04

We had a lot of classroom instruction today, starting with Work Life where Mrs.  Grant taught us about all the resources we have at our fingertips now, such as free counseling for ourselves and our families.  Afterwards we attended an informative class on contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and self examinations.   In the evening we spent quite a bit of time studying for the important final on Friday.  Some recruits took better notes than others, and everyone sat in groups in the squad bays and helped each other out. 

18Sep09 Week 07 Day 05

Charlie-182 graduated today, pushing us one step closer to 25Sep09, only 06 days and a wake-up call left before we’re done with recruit training.  Things are still going well; we earned the Section Commander pennant, presented to us by SKC Bou himself.   We also received the physical fitness pennant for completing all the physical requirements in recruit training.  We ran through the confidence course, having a blast (well, most of us!) and obtaining some rather impressive bruises.  There were hurdles, walls, and a giant net we had to climb over.  You may still be able to see some of those bruises next Friday!  We took the final exam today as well, and everyone passed.  Congratulations to those shipmates who earned a score of 100%.  After finding out our company average, we discovered that we also earned a pennant for academic achievement.  06 pennants for Delta company so far, only 01 to go, from the Battalion Commander.

19Sep09 Week 07 Day 06

Today was a big test for us, off-base liberty.  Fortunately no one got in trouble and we had a great time out on the town.  Taxis were waiting outside the gates in the morning to take us to nearby Rio Grande or Wildwood, where we split up in small groups.  Some recruits decided to get hotel rooms and catch up on some much needed sleep, while others went to the movies, shopped, stuffed their faces and chatted on the phone.  It felt a bit strange, being turned loose again in the real world and not having someone direct us every step of the way.  We still had to maintain a certain military bearing and represent the Coast Guard well, but we had fun at the same time.  Our company commanders were both shocked and proud when we all came back in time and heard that no one had gotten in any trouble!

20Sep09 Week 07 Day 06

We had our last divine hours today-hard to believe.  We wore our Tropical Blue Long uniforms all morning, good practice for graduation next Friday.  Following afternoon chow we went on our last off-base run through Cape May, singing cadences at the top of our lungs.  It was kind of bittersweet-it’s something we are going to miss.  There are a lot of mixed emotions this week.  Although we are all excited and looking forward to seeing our family and friends again, we will be sad as well.  Sad to leave our shipmates, DCC Garry, YNC Howe, DC1 Wingate and our home away from home at Healy Hall.   It’s been a long journey to get to this point and graduation will surely be one of the proudest moments of our lives.   A big thank you to the readers of this blog.  Every shipmate of Delta-182 is grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received from all of you through letters and phone calls.   See you on Friday! 

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07Sep09   Week 06 Day 01

Only 02 more weeks – so close now…  Today we had a class on firefighting terms and chemistry, where we learned about the combustion process, prevention measures, and what to do if we discover a fire.  Later we had a Cybex weight training session and a class on personal wellness.  We also put on our bravo dress uniforms for an inspection.  Most of us felt a little awkward in them at first, and took forever to get dressed, but we sure looked sharp!  A far cry from that Tuesday night we first passed through the gates of Training Center Cape May with our civilian clothes and messy hairs.  We are starting to look like squared away recruits now.

08Sep09   Week 06   Day 02

This was a rocky day from the start.  We were moving far too slow and almost all of the company missed movement to morning chow.  YNC Howe and DC1 Wingate were so disappointed in us that we had our colors taped up – a shameful thing.  It only went downhill from there.  When the females returned to their squad bay, the head was completely trashed.  This was quite the wake-up call from the company commanders to keep it clean and squared away at all times.  We had our manual of arms test and did not score as well as we should have.  We will bounce back and stay focused!

09Sep09   Week 06   Day 03

Wednesday we were split up again, with half the company gone to career counseling and being issued identification cards.  The rest of us were at firefighting school learning how to handle the hoses and getting soaked.  Class was on the history and legacy of the Coast Guard and we watched a video about Medal of Honor recipient Douglas Munro.  There was some frustration again, as we are still failing at many basic tasks such as cleaning up after ourselves and moving with a sense of urgency.  Recruit training will be over before we know it and we need to make every day count.

10Sep09   Week 06   Day 04

More career counseling and firefighting, plus a class on shipping our household goods to our new duty stations.  In the afternoon we had our final Pugil stick match and blew off some steam that way.  We spent the remainder of the day maintaining our uniforms, contacting our sponsors and units, and field-daying the squad bays.  We also had to get ready for Bravo Company’s graduation, where we will provide support by handing out pamphlets, directing traffic flow and greeting civilians. 

11Sep09   Week 06   Day 05

This morning we went to get our smallpox vaccination checked by medical.  The injection site definitely looked brutal, one big white blister.  We didn’t have much time after medical to get prepared for Bravo’s indoor graduation, so we were all rushing to make sure it was a good one.  Unfortunately a few people missed their watch for the graduation ceremony, so we got in quite a bit of trouble for that.  Although it was a rough day for Delta-182, it was Patriots Day.  September 11 is a day engraved in each one of our minds.  For some of us, it’s a main reason why we joined the military.  There was an all-hands colors ceremony at the main flagpole in remembrance of September 11. 

12Sep09   Week 06   Day 06

A great day for Delta – we finally had our on-base liberty!  Earlier in the day we went on operational tours of the cutters and small boats at Station Cape May.  This was to give us a taste of what we will be doing at our units.  We were allowed to ask a lot of questions too, which was nice.  At 1500, we were turned loose for close to 06 hours of liberty.  We were allowed to go to the exchange to purchase items (like junk food), the Harborview Club to play pool, relax, and eat dinner, and the Ida Lewis auditorium for a movie.  We also got to make a few phone calls home. Liberty definitely helped boost morale of the company, but after 2100 it was back to business.

13Sep09   Week 06   Day 07

Typical day for Delta-182, we attended morning chow and when we returned divine hours commenced.  Some recruits went to church, while others squared away their uniforms and wrote letters home.  Divine hours ended at 1300, as it does every Sunday, then DC1 Wingate started the training day.  We practiced our close order drill test with him multiple times throughout the day.  Our test is on Tuesday and we really need to get locked on for it.  SKC Bou will be judging us, like he did for our manual of arms test. Unlike the manual of arms test however, Delta will not settle for 7 out of 10. We’ll be aiming for 9 or 10 out of 10. The main goal is the Battalion Commander pennant to hang from our guidon.  With all the practice we’ve had in the past few days, we’re sure to get it!

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31Aug09 Week 05 Day 01

Well, we are finally in week 05, and no longer a junior company on the regiment.  Things are starting to heat up now! 

Pugil stick fights were held today, and recruits faced off two at a time, gladiator style, with shipmates and company commanders alike cheering from the sidelines.  GET SOME, DELTA! It got everyone’s adrenaline pumping and there were some great knock-downs.  It was the perfect way to release all the aggression, frustration and anxiety built up in everyone over the previous weeks-not to mention a huge amount of fun to annihilate one another with giant foam sticks.

01Sep09 Week 05 Day 02

Today was the day Delta company finally “got it”.  All that incentive training seems to have paid off, because we were locked on!  In the morning we had our uniform inspection by HSCS Wong, who said we did better than average-a big compliment here.  Later, we went to the Uniform Distribution Center to have our Bravo dress jackets and pants tailored, and came back with seabags full of sharp looking new gear.  Seamanship class was about flares and emergency signaling devices, important things to know how to use.  With only a few exceptions, we stayed pretty well-behaved throughout the day, so everyone was bummed and a bit confused when we had a fire drill and incentive training in the evening.  YNC Howe and DC1 Wingate marched us around the regiment with our heads held down in shame until we were standing in front of Sexton Hall.  We then did an about face, looked up, and saw DCC Garry standing in the 44 foot motor lifeboat next to Delta’s colors!  That blue and yellow cloth flying high under the stars was a beautiful sight.  We earned it the hard way, through 05 weeks of blood, sweat and tears, and you could feel the pride in the entire company skyrocket in that moment.  Definitely a night we will remember for the rest of our lives.

02Sep09 Week 05 Day 03

On Wednesday we had our Seamanship midterm exam, which most of us scored high on.  Our class afterwards was about boat crews, and was taught by Auxilarists, civilians who volunteer their time to help out the Coast Guard.  It seems that earning our colors was a big morale booster since we didn’t get in too much trouble today.  Our Manual of Arms is also improving a lot, and if we can tighten it up just a little more we should rock the test next week. 

03Sep09 Week05 Day 04

Another landmark day in bootcamp for Delta-182; we received our orders to our first duty stations.  After all the anticipation, it is a relief to finally know exactly where we are going after graduation.  Most of us did not get the first pick from our dream sheets, and some even ended up with the opposite of what they had wanted.  Of course, the detailers try to match people up with assignments they will enjoy, but the needs of the service must come first.  Although many are feeling some disappointment right now, DCC Garry told us that those people will actually be the happiest in the end.  Whether we go to the sailing barque Eagle, a sector in Ohio, or a Loran station in remote Attu, AK, hopefully everyone will give it their all and take advantage of the incredible opportunities available now.  This is a very exciting time in our lives and many new doors are being opened for us.  A chance to travel, learn new job skills, go to school, enforce laws, save lives…the sky is truly the limit.

04Sep09 Week 05 Day 05

We spent Friday morning in medical receiving smallpox vaccinations-yuck!  We then marched in Alfa-182’s graduation, something we are getting better at every time.  Our marching was tight; everyone dressed to the right and in step for once.  We also earned our first pennant for the guidon because the company scored an average of over 90% on the midterm!  We are determined to earn more now from close order drill and Manual of Arms.  We can be the best company on this regiment, and we should continue to shoot high.

05Sep09 Week 05 Day 06

We spent a lot of time today with our sponsor, Mr. Daniel.  Mr. Daniel is a warrant officer with a great deal of experience, and he answered all the questions we could think to ask about our assignments and what life will be like once we enter the fleet.  What is A-School like?  What jobs do Firemen have on cutters? What do you do at a small boat station?  We are gradually learning more about our units and collecting the information we need to make travel arrangements.  Things are sure happening fast now.  Some recruits have even contacted their sponsors already; the rest of us will do that over the next week.  As long as we stay locked on (!) we will get on-base liberty next Saturday and be able to give all of you a call, so stand by those phones!

06Sep09 Week 05 Day 07

Sunday we had the honor of marching in the Sunset Parade in front of many civilians, and even the mayor of Cape May.  It was an important event so we spent most of the day after divine hours getting our uniforms in top shape and practicing marching with the pieces.  It turned out well and we seem to have made a good enough impression, as we should at this point. Tomorrow starts week 06 and even more excitement for Delta recruits.  Amazing to think that we only have a few more short weeks of training left!

24Aug09 Week 04 Day 01

Delta-182 recruits were all decked out for Graduation pictures today!  It was pretty exciting just to think about graduation as we are now halfway through recruit training.  Hard to believe; it feels like we just arrived in front of Sexton Hall yesterday.  In the evening, we were granted personal time, a privilege given to us to work on things like uniform maintenance and studying.  It was nice to finally have some extra time before taps where we weren’t receiving incentive training.

25Aug09 Week 04 Day 02

We learned a whole variety of things today.  First we had a class on commitment, and then we went over to Munro Hall for a class with Mrs. Evelyn on career planning, where we also set up our Coast Guard e-mail accounts.   We also practiced Manual of Arms and Piece nomenclature; we need to know those really well since there is a test coming up soon.

26Aug09 Week 04 Day 03

We had our physical fitness test today.  Although not everyone passed, we all did our best and some of us will attend fitness remedial until we can crank out those pushups and sit-ups, and blaze through the 1.5 mile run.  After the test we had an introduction to the Confidence Course’s rope climb.  Most recruits had a blast with this, and can’t wait until we can go through the whole thing in Week 08.

27Aug09  Week 04 Day 04

Today was an extremely important day for us.  We had our Helm Simulator and Knots tests in the morning at Seamanship.   Later on, we filled out our Assignment Data Cards, also known as Dream Sheets, listing our top 12 assignment picks.  The classroom was filled with the nervous excitement of recruits agonizing over choosing their future.  We won’t find out where we’re assigned until next week.  Until then we will all be biting our nails…

28Aug09 Week 04 Day 05

Midterm exam today-and everyone passed!  We also marched in Zulu company’s graduation, which is always very inspiring for us.  Only 04 more weeks until it’s us on that parade field, standing tall and proud in front of all of you. 

29Aug09 Week 04 Day 06

Saturday Delta Company put on our game faces for introduction to Pugil Stick fighting. Afterwards we spent 80 minutes shining our boondockers  to prepare for a uniform inspection by the Battalion Commander on Monday.  We have to look absolutely perfect, head to toe, in order to pass it.   

30Aug09 Week 04 Day 07

Sunday, and lovely divine hours again.  We spent a lot of time on squaring away ourselves and our uniforms, but still had enough time to write letters to friends and family.  The most exciting thing to happen today was our first off-base run to cadences, with Delta’s colors flying high!  Unfortunately, we were a bit of a mess from the beginning, with half of the company going one way at the start, while the other half went in the complete opposite direction!  We were an embarrassment to our Company Commanders, and everyone is feeling a little bummed since overall we had been doing quite well the last few days.  Hopefully tomorrow we can pick up where we left off before the run, locked, cocked and ready to rock!

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17AUG09  WEEK 03 DAY 01

This Monday we started an optional physical enhancement program.  Next week is our physical fitness test, so those of us who feel we are not ready for it started waking up at 0500 for a workout with the trainers. 

The military is clearly an advocate for higher education.  The benefits are generous.  They not only apply towards a bachelor’s degree, but extend to graduate degrees as well. 

Today was a typical day of training, both physical and educational.  Besides one odd occurrence, we received an order from our section commander to attend a country music concert on base.  We all had time to relax for a few moments and bond with our shipmates.  It was definitely a morale booster.

18AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 02

Reveille, reveille, reveille! Another day on the regiment and this one is off to a rocky start..  About 15 recruits from Delta-182 were late for physical enhancement, and as I’m sure you can imagine being late in the military is not a good thing.  It definitely set the mood for the day.  We had 04 classes today: survival float, safety, military identification/health care benefits, and Coast Guard history.  It was a lot of information to absorb, but we got through it.  Tomorrow is another day, the slate is clean; we have to get out of this rut.

19AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 03

Wednesday started out with another challenging Cybex workout at the gym, and then we had classes for most of the day.  DC1 Wingate taught us about the Coast Guards many important roles and missions, such as, national defense, search and rescue, law enforcement, and protection of natural resources.  We’re a small service, but have huge responsibilities around the world and everyone must combine their different talents to achieve the same goal.  We also learned about advancements from Seaman to Petty Officer and leave and liberty.

20AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 04

Today was full of classes and more classes.  The difference between the classes we’ve had in the past and the classes we attended today is that today was the first time we’ve done hands on training that will relate directly to our jobs as non-rates in the fleet.  Besides classes, we have the honor of participating in graduation of Yankee-18.  Tonight we practiced our close order drills so we can look sharp in their ceremony.

21AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 05

Graduation day is always an exciting day on the regiment.  Although we are not graduating ourselves it means we are 01 week closer to that day.  We lined up for the ceremony around 1000.  We marched well and it was exciting to see a company we shared a hall with pack up and move on to their new careers.  After graduation it was down to business, off to seamanship for more hands on training.  We learned about the various units, vessels, and aircraft in the Coast Guard fleet, as well as different types of lines and knots.

22AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 06

All day today was spent at seamanship.  We finally learned how to tie the knots that we learned about the previous day.  An exciting part of class was using the Helmsman Simulator; we had the opportunity to practice our commands and our steering of the rudder. However, the excitement got the best of us and we did not maintain a military bearing throughout the class. Hello incentive training.

23AUG09 WEEK 03 DAY 07

Bright and early we hopped into our operational dress uniforms for an inspection by YNC Howe.  It was our second uniform inspection and it was a bit sloppy.  We’re all still trying to manage our time better and it seemed most of us didn’t have time during the week to iron or shine our boots or something else of that nature.  Next time we get inspected it will be by our section commander, so we have to get our uniforms squared away as soon as possible.  After the inspection divine hours commenced (0800-1300).  We got time to press our uniforms, shine our boots, and of course write letters home to all of you.

After divine hours half of the company went to the range for indoctrination with the .40 CAL SIG we will be firing tomorrow.  If over 65% of us qualify as marksman we get to put the black pennant on our guidon.  It’s something we will all strive for.  We want to make our Company Commanders proud especially since this week was not a good one for Delta-182 (discipline wise).  Tomorrow is the beginning of week 04.  This is a crucial part of training which will decide who is ready to move on with training and graduate with Delta-182.

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Indoctrination weekend review:  On 04 Aug 09, 84 individuals from across the country stepped off the busses and gathered in front of Sexton Hall to begin our 08 week journey through United States Coast Guard recruit training.  Right away the fun began.   Our first few days were spent primarily at the uniform distribution center and at medical receiving inoculations and exams. On Friday we met our company commanders, lead company commander DCC Garry, and assistant company commanders YNC Howe and DC1 Wingate. We then formed company Delta-182.  Over the next few weeks they will have the challenge of transforming us from civilians to Guardians ready for the fleet.

The first weekend with our company commanders were spent delegating jobs and becoming accustomed to our new home, Healy Hall.

10 Aug 09     week 02     day 01

Hello again friends and family of Delta-182 recruits!  Today started off with a bang, “fire, fire, fire!”  Don’t worry it was just a drill.  We had trouble making the time objectives delegated by our company commanders.  Due to that we received some incentive training.  Incentive training is a series of push-ups, crunches, squats, and flutter kicks used for discipline.  Because we have to be “Semper Paratus” or “always ready” no matter the time of day or how sore or grumpy we may be.  We also had our introduction to the Cybex (weight training) equipment in the gym today.  There are some tough moments but overall we seem to be getting more comfortable day by day here at training center Cape May.  We welcomed 01 new recruit to Delta-182. He was rephased for medical reasons and we are glad to have his knowledge with our company. 

11 Aug 09     week 02     day 02

Tuesday was a really rough one for Delta-182.  We had our swim qualification in the morning and more than a few of us failed it.  Those with week swimming skills will have to attend swimming remedials until they pass the test.  But with the expert instruction by the gym staff it should be a breeze.  We’re still struggling to meet our time objectives and our military bearing is almost non-existent.  The day got off to a bad start which left the company feeling unmotivated and discouraged.  We as a company  need to rally together and pick ourselves up off the floor.  We need to give 100% to our company commanders because they are giving all that they have to us

12 Aug 09     week 02     day 03

Fortunately today (Wednesday) we showed some improvement.  Early in the morning we had a 01 mile run on the track to assess what we need to work on for the physical fitness test.  we had classes on rates and ranks as well as addressing military personnel.  The classes we have lined up are vital to our success when we get out into the fleet.  Another significant moment in our training was the march to go pick up our pieces,  the pieces we received are non-operational rifles used for drill movements while marching and incentive training.  Though we are getting better overall, there are still people struggling.  We as shipmates have to pull together to help out those that need extra assistance.  At some point we are all going to need it.

13 Aug 09     week 02     day 04

Phew! Today was certainly a tough one.  Most of us are not used to waking up at 0530 every day, let alone to a fire drill or incentive training.  The fatigue is definitely starting to set in.  This is another setback that we will have to pull through together.  Our company commanders are extremely dedicated to our physical fitness as well as our education here at Cape May.  Today we had our core strength workout and I think it is safe to say none of us have sweat that much simply holding a position.   The classes today were on our pay and allowances as well as hazing.  The classes helped clarify a lot of the questions we had about our benefits and our personal rights when we arrive to our first duty station.

14 Aug 09     week 02     day 05

Everything we did today was new and interesting.  During the day we practiced manual of arms, which is very intricate.  It is physically straining considering the piece weighs 09 pounds.  We just began so we are a bit rusty, but we will have plenty of practice.  After class we then got a little surprise from our company commander, DC1Wingate, a march through dirt paths that twisted though the tall grasses between the beach and the regiment.  It was quite an adventure and despite the physical discomfort of the extra weight and our boondockers, we all enjoyed it and look forward to doing it again.

15 Aug 09     week 02     day 05

Today we were honored to have our company sponsor, Mr. Daniel, a Chief Warrant Officer, come visit us and answer all questions we had about life in the Coast Guard.  Mr. Daniel spent 02 hours with us in the classroom.

The rest of the day was spent drilling with our pieces, manual of arms, and marching.

16 Aug 09     week 02     day 06

We once again woke up to “fire, fire, fire!”  Still not fast or loud enough and it is crucial that we get that straightened out because we are heading into week 03 tomorrow.  We are no longer the junior company on the regiment, so we need to stop looking like it.  After chow, we had divine hours which are hours utilized to square away our racks as well as write letters and study.  After divine hours we had classes on personal values as well as the coast guard values; honor, respect, and devotion to duty.  Those classes were inspiring and reminded us why we came here to begin with. 

Conclusion

In closing, we’ve had our ups and downs but we are beginning to come together as a team.

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