WEEK 08

Labor Day weekend we departed. On 11 September 2009 we formed. On 30 October 2009 we will graduate Training Center Cape May as India-182.

From across the country we came, full of excitement and fear. We chose to shed the world we knew to wear the silver anchors. We entered into this new world and embraced what would come, for every challenge was part of our transformation. We were stripped of our individuality and formed into a new entity-a company. We each have a job, a place to stand, a responsibility to carry; we became India-182. The process was not easy. Each day came as a torrent of information and physical exhaustion. We did our best but it took time to achieve the goals and expectations set before us. Our company commanders are not training us for just a job; they are training us to replace them as the time comes for them to leave. Nothing can be less than 110% and that is what we must give, and we do. There were days that ended in tears and others that ended with secret smiles and contentment. No day was ever “easy. It never got easier. No. It never got easier. We just got better. The tasks that seemed impossible before and the time objectives that we never made slowly became possible and eventually we did not worry anymore. We know what we have to do and what time it must be done in and we achieve the goals. Teamwork is always the key.

On September 11th the Towers fell and the world in which we live changed. In these shifting tides of political turmoil and unrest, we dared to swear our lives to defend the country and her people. In only a few shirt days we will be the newest guardians entering the fleet. We have studied our lessons well. We have taken each core value and engrained them into the depths of our being. We are shipmates-only together as a team can we meet our goals and objectives. Yes, we are India 182.

Monday we had our Guardian Challenge and were faced with every hands-on obstacle and emergency we have been trained for. The “cutter” sustained a direct hit and we ran to our stations. A fire erupted in the ship and crews went straight to fight the fire. Personnel were injured in another part of the ship and we ran to their aid. Some stopped breathing and we fought valiantly to bring them back to life. Damage Control Central kept us in communications at all times ensuring our safety and that the missions are being achieved. Our hearts raced and adrenaline pumped through our veins as we did our duty to save our lives and the cutter. When the exercise was over we felt pride. The lessons and time spent were not in vain. Once we completed our challenge our Company Commanders could see that we are ready to head out into the blue, into the fleet. After chow, we were marched together to the pavilion, colors held high and pennants steaming in the wind. We stopped at the pavilion and there we had our pinning ceremony. We reaffirmed our oath of enlistment, knowing much more about the oath we took than first time we took it. Then, we took off our covers and placed the Coast Guard emblem into our covers. We earned the right to be recognized as week 08, almost done, almost a non rate instead of a recruit.

We have only 02 more days till we are done. We are excited, bursting at the seams to leave this world behind and begin our next big adventure. We spend the days cleaning, maintaining uniforms and solidifying any plans left to be made concerning our move to our new stations. We are getting ourselves squared away because somehow we made it and the time to leave is nearly upon us.

Every lesson taught- great and small- we carry with us to the fleet. We are shipmates and every September 11th we will remember the towers as well as the oath we reaffirmed together and becoming India-182. We will remember each other years from now as if this just past and names will flow out of lips as memories come flooding back in. For we are a family; we are shipmates; we are India-182. We were a motley crew of rag-tag teenagers and young adults ready to change our lives and now we are something greater then we could ever have imagined. We have exceed our own expectations and managed to reach those of our Company Commanders. Like skillful craftsmen they took the rough and found the diamond hidden within.

We wait in excited anticipation for graduation. As the reality that we have nearly completed this training we grow even closer, knowing this is the end and we will all be scattered like so many leaves in the wind.

We have learned so much and come so far. Yet, this is only the beginning. We will never stop learning or growing. Recruit training sets the foundation. Everything else is up to us. It is up to us to earn the qualifications we need to succeed and advance. The more skills we gain, the more we can add to the team and aid the success of the missions. The end of recruit training is almost upon us but the real adventure awaits us in the fleet. We are ready.

And so, we come to an end. May we have fair winds and flowing seas. And if we should not, let God be with us as he has been with us these last eight weeks. Let us be confident and courageous, maintaining our core values in the face of fear and do the tasks set before us. We shall meet again through the years and when we do we will remember Recruit Training at Training center Cape May. We will remember and take pride knowing when and where we began as India-182!

As we march together toward our destination our Company Commander breaks the silence and begins to sing cadence.  We repeat every word in step and in rhythm:

"Here we go again!

Same old stuff again!

Marching down the avenue. 

Five more days and we'll be through. 

And I won't have to look at you. 

Ugly, Ugly, Ugly You! 

And you won't have to look at me! 

Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Me!"

05 more days and we will be through; just 05 more days.  To think that 07 weeks have come and gone and how much we have changed in that time is amazing.  We have come this far and accomplished so much together as a team.  Week 07 has been like all weeks before it, a challenge.  However, as challenging as it has been, we managed to succeed and prove to our company commanders all the work they have done and time that they have committed to us, to India 182, was not in vain. 

In the classroom we went over First Aid and CPR.  Accidents happen and in this line of work nearly every aspect has a level of danger where safety is pivotal.  When an accident does occur on the job or if during a rescue a person is injured, action needs to be taken right away.  A few moments can mean the difference between a life lost and a life saved.  So we learned how to administer first aid and give CPR.  Shipmates were "wounded" and together we worked on taking care of them until emergency medical technicians arrived on scene.  The wounds were gory and the knowledge invaluable.  We also took our last Seamanship course which was on Heaving Lines and Line Commands.  The first half of class was on safety and proper commands and then the second half was all practice.  We learned how to moor a ship and unmoor the ship.  As we practice and perfected our new found skill, the USCG stationed at the pier was setting out on tour.  So, we practice on our mock cutter and then saw the real thing in action.  We looked on in awe and excitement. In a few more days many of us will be doing that.  In Seamanship we also took our Seamanship final.  Our class average was not very high on the midterm and we knew we had to bring the score up on the final if we wanted to earn the Seamanship pennant.  They said that it was impossible and that no company did better on the final than on the midterm.  They said all that and then, we proved them wrong.  Knowing the challenge that faced us we studied harder and quizzed each other till we knew it all, inside and out.  We earned the Seamanship pennant that day.

Finally, after weeks of classes one everything from ships and vessels, fire prevention, STD's and Uniform wearing the time came for our Final Exam.  Whenever we had the opportunity we took time to study.  Typically it involved multi-tasking such as polishing boots and studying or ironing and reading over our notes.  We squeezed in as much knowledge as we possibly could.  We knocked the midterm out of the park and have been flying the yellow pennant on the guide arm to represent that achievement.  We wanted to excel on the final as well and earn the orange pennant. So, we studied.  We read and re-read, we quizzed each other, we copied notes down to double check we knew what we needed to know.  And like the time before, we knocked the test right out of the park and earned the orange pennant to hang on our guide arm. 

Outside the classroom other tests still remained.  That afternoon, after 07 weeks of practicing, we marched to the pavilion for our close order drill test with our Section Commander.  We tested before with our Section Commander with the Manual of Arms test.  During that test we passed but it was not without remark.  He explained things he wanted us to change so that when the time came for the close order drill test we would impress him.  We were all locked on and our ears were open as he spoke.  We took every word of criticism in.  We wanted to get a 10 out of 10.  We were expected to get a 10 out of 10.  To our company commander's call we performed each movement sharply and precisely.  We stood tall, leaned back, and walked as if we are 10 feet tall and bullet proof; confidence oozed from our every pore.  We are India 182 and we give no less than 110% because that is what it takes to shine and we shined.  Our Section Commander saw the confidence and the technique and we earned a rare 10 out of 10.  Another victory for the company.

Another test we have been preparing for since we came but had no idea when would come was the squad bay inspection.  In the beginning we had an inspection and the squad bays were so bad that the Section Commander did not even complete the inspection because he was so disgusted.  He did not give up on us though.  Instead, he gave us a second chance to pull it together.  The inspection could happen any day at any time.  Thus, every moment we had the opportunity we scurried around like ants cleaning, fixing, polishing, mopping, sweeping, dusting and disinfecting.  Not knowing when he would come and to live in comfort, we cleaned nonstop.  When the inspection did come, we were not home but we did manage to straighten up before we left the squad bays.  If we would have known we would have done more but in the end we managed to pass!  Not with a perfect score but we passed none the less. 

Because we passed the Manual of Arms test, passed the Close Order Drill test, passed the Squad bay inspection and proved to the Section Commander that India 182 is a team, the Section Commander presented us with the Section Commander Pennant.  Not every company can earn this pennant.  It is not give, it is earned and India 182 represented our colors with confidence and now we have another pennant to wave into the sky.

During this week, the last few who needed to pass the physical fitness test retested.  In the end, only one did not complete due to injury.  Everyone else passed.  They would stand watch in the night and then wake up at 0430 in the morning (one full hour earlier than everyone else) to go workout in the gym every morning conditioning their bodies to complete the test and meet the USCG standards of physical fitness.  In the end, they managed to push themselves off the deck, crunch up, and run their hearts out and achieved the goals.  We earned the physical fitness pennant.  We earned it not because we were all fit when we got here but because those of us who were not pushed themselves and did not give up.  The white pennant flies proudly against the India Flag.

Being that we just received our new Topical Blue Uniforms, just as with our Operation Dress Uniforms, an inspection was required.  We tightened our shirt stays, pressed our shirts and polished our low quarters to make ourselves look as sharp as possible.  The shirts were so stiff they felt like cardboard and the creases so sharp you could cut yourself.  Before us as our judge was our Battalion Officer.  The Battalion Officer has the power to take away Off Base Liberty.  After 07 weeks of enduring the high levels of physical excursion, sleep deprivation and stress we all wanted to go on off base liberty more than anything.  Knowing the power the Battalion Officer carries we presented ourselves in uniform ready to go.  Another victory, Off Base Liberty was granted. 

Although Liberty was granted a huge obstacle still stood in our way: The Confidence Course.  The Confidence course is a relatively new addition to the Coast Guard Recruit Training schedule.  It is the same as the one the US Marines use.  On black tire chip stands several obstacles to overcome and as a team we cheer each other on to make it over that which stood before them.  We charged forward under the watchful eyes of our company commanders and attacked each obstacle with all our might.  Some of us bounded over the obstacles as if they were not their while others struggled.  Shipmates helped each other when they could and we all made it to the finish line.  Winded, battered and bruised we stood amazed at what we over come. Confident in ourselves, knowing how many obstacles we have overcome during the last 07 weeks of recruit training.  As we stood there, taking our breaths and collecting ourselves from the adventure our Lead Company Commander pulled out a blue pennant, the Company Commander pennant.  The pennant is a symbol, a mark that allows everyone on the regiment to know that we are week 07 and almost done with our training.  A mark that shows our company commanders have faith in us as a company and as individuals to go out into the fleet, to be their shipmates and their replacements when they retire, to be the next watch in the night.  The blue pennant is a mark that we are moving in the right direction and our company commanders see that.  We stood beaming with pride as it was added to our guide arm. 

Our guide arm carries a rainbow of colors: white for physical fitness, Red for participation in the blood drive, Orange for our company average on the final, yellow for our company overage on the midterm, blue from our company commanders, green for our company seamanship average, and Purple from the section commander.  The only pennant we did not receive was the Marksmanship pennant; we needed two more people to qualify to have the right percentage.  We were very close.  At this point we are not looking back because we are very proud of the colors we have earned and now, there is only one more pennant left.  The Battalion Commander pennant is the silver pennant and it will be difficult to earn.  That being said, we qualify to earn it.  Our last test still stands before us to earn the pennant.  We each continue to study in preparation for the Battalion Commander.  Again, we do not know when it will happen but when it does, we will be ready.

As we gained pennants we lost something else dear to our hearts.  This Friday we returned out pieces.  Yes, the heavy burden that we carried for hours and trained with for weeks was finally lifted from our hands and placed back in the safe keeping of the armory.  It truly was an honor to carry them but I doubt anyone shed a tear for their loss.   

And so, the week came to an exciting end.  Counting our victories great and small, we marched out the gates of Training Center Cape May and back into the arms of the world we have left behind.  We were set free on Off Base Liberty!  We donned our Tropical Dress Blue Uniform and London Fog (in case of rain) and marched out together into the streets of the civilian world again.  We broke off into smaller groups and headed out to Rio Grande, each with our own missions and things to do.  The first stop for most was the Wal-Mart where To-Go phones waited for us, boxes already cut and instructions printed out.  We called home for the first time without a time limit or constraint, free to laugh and speak of more than work and business.  Some broke off to the movies while others headed out to Starbucks for a cup of coffee.  Then, for dinner many ate at the Rio Station while other ate at the Japanese restaurant.  We talked, laughed, and smiled without fear.  We were ourselves and then we were something more than ourselves.  The uniform caused random acts of kind words and acknowledgement wherever we walked.  We were thanked and given respect because of the uniform were wore.  Towns people see new recruits every week and still they carry respect for us as we walked out into their world.  We were welcomed in a way we did not anticipate.  We walked together and still find ourselves falling into formation.  We did not mean to nor did we have to but as we walked we fell into step, fists on our trouser seams, standing tall and looking forward.  We are ourselves and when we look into the mirrors we see ourselves the same and yet we know deep within us something has changed.  The 07 weeks we have been in training has been like metal in the forge.  We have been refined into something new, stronger, and better than what we were before.  We know it and yet we cannot place our fingers on exactly what it is.  We see ourselves in our uniforms and see the realization of what we are and we are taken aback. In only 05 more days we will be able to say "We are Guardians." 

"The Guardian Ethos":

"I am America Maritime Guardian

I serve the Citizens of the United States I will Protect them I will defend them I will save them I am their shield For them I am Semper Paratus I live the Coast Guard Core Values I am a Guardian We are the United States Coast Guard"

We are India-182!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Week Five

Two warriors step onto the tire chips – surrounded by white padded barriers – and a sea of blue uniforms cheering. Vest, helmet, mouth guard, and war face on. They pick up their weapons: pugil sticks. They arm themselves, like tigers ready to pounce – and then the whistle blows. Cheers ring out into the cool morning air as they do battle. Adrenaline is pumping and the whistle blows. Point!

Monday India 182 went to battle in the pugil stick ring. It was fun and exciting. For a moment we were warriors ready to kill, always moving forward toward the enemy. In the ring shipmates found out what they were really made of – many surprised themselves.

The Coast Guard is multi-missioned and many of us joined to save lives not take it away. However, we are charged with the mission to protect this country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. If fighting is what we are called to do – then we shall – war faces and all.

Still, saving lives is the greatest reward. To know your hands saved someone from the blue and to hear them say Thank you – there is no better feeling in the world (so we have been told.)

In Seamanship we began our radio procedures. Armed with a radio and a compass two teams searched for “missing boats” and marked each vessel as they went to the next. Some were easier to find than others. We felt frustrated when we could not our target – to imagine the expanse of the ocean we gained awareness of how challenging search and rescue can be.

We also learned about personal flotation devices and emergency signals should we ourselves fall into the blue. As I have said safety is pivotal. A cutter could sink in two minutes – so we drilled getting PFD’s on in 45 seconds. At first it was awkward but we got faster. If we don’t use the equipment properly and swiftly it is the difference between life and death. And as our instructor would say – that would be a bad day in the Coast Guard.

The medical onslaught still continues on, even now. Shipmates come and go to medical to have their teeth cleaned and even pulled. Faces swollen and in pain they return – always ready. Small pox vaccinations were given to us this week as well. We hope this is to be our final shot – we never know.

This week we were also issued our dress blues. We wear our dress blues at graduation. We are getting closer! Trying the uniform on and being fitted we could visualize the future – amazing.

And then finally after weeks which felt like a lifetime the answer to our biggest question finally came. The company left class and all three CC’s were there screaming hurry up. We were lead in a strange way unsure of what was happening. Fear caught in our throats and our stomachs dropped – what had we done? What is happening? Formed up we marched and suddenly as it all began – “Company Halt,” breaks the rhythm of our steps. Incentive Training began – “Get Louder,” they ordered and so we did! “Get lower” and so we did. Exercise after exercise we pushed ourselves unsure of what happened to demand this lesson in discipline and motivation.  “Stop!”  “Aye aye,  Petty Officer Wagner!” “About face!” Upon executing the command we see before us a 44’ Motor Life Boat flying the India flag!

We earned our colors – now, where ever we go on the regiment they will know we are India-182. Bright yellow flag with a black circle in the center waves proudly on our Guidon. We are India-182 and we wear our color proud.

The excitement felt like electricity in the air as we marched with our colors proudly waving in the breeze. Then, another change. We marched down a grey gravel road – destination unknown. Trusting our squad leaders. Footsteps before us and responding to commands we follow until we find ourselves face to face with our future – the ocean. Black boon dockers sink into the powdery white sand as we looked out into our office. We won’t be needed on calm seas and sunny afternoons – we will be called out into the storm to battle Poseidon himself to rescue lost mariners at sea. Our future is out in the blue – we took it in and then our CC’s presented our orders.

Orders to stations and to cutters – from Guam to Puerto Rico, from Alaska to Key West, from New York to California we were given the destination we have been toiling for. Some got exactly what they wanted while others received orders unplanned or imagined. We took our orders with pride – we have a job to do and people to serve and protect.

However, we are not done yet. We still have 3 weeks more of training to go and so much more to learn. We are so excited but cannot express it fully yet. Our dreams are slowly becoming real – but they are not ours yet. We must continue acting as a team. As a family, as a company, as India.

The weeks to come more freedom may be given – with more responsibility – in that time shipmates will call home and tell you themselves their adventures – but that time is earned not given and so we continue.

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Week Ø4

Bang! – Bang! The bullet cuts through the air and lands dead center of the target – 5 points. Now if only every shot is as good as that one…

Week four came in with the sound of gun fire as we went to the range. At the range the Gunners Mates taught us the nomenclature of a Sig Sauer P229 (.40 Cal) and then we learned how to fire the weapon. Safety was the utmost importance while handling the weapon. We had ear and eye protections as well as safety coaches guiding us. The purpose of going to the range was to familiarize ourselves with the weapon. However with enough points shipmates could become qualified, sharp shooters, or even expert marksmen. For many this was their first time firing a weapon. We learned a lot about what we were capable of and how much harder it is than the movies like to portray. Real marksmanship is not like Lethal Weapon.

The range was a first of a series of tests and assessments. Week four is the halfway mark and it’s time to prove what we’ve learned.

On Wednesday we had our physical fitness assessment – a test to measure our strength and endurance, a test we trained for before we came to boot camp and have been training for while we have been here. Many of us were nervous – we didn’t want to fail. First we did pushups, then sit-ups, then a 1.5 mile run. It may not seem impossible but sometimes strength is another’s weakness.

We did pushups and stupid in the gym then we headed to the track. The stopclock started and 80 feet began running on the red track- 06 laps in 12 minutes for males and 15:33 for females. One by one shipmates crossed the line with time to spare- except one. The last time India ran 1.5 miles timed, this shipmate did not pass – this time it was close. Each lap she passed her Company Commanders who demanded she go faster until all of her shipmates passed and she had one lap to go. She ran knowing if she did not pass she would be waking up at 4 A.M. to go to remedial fitness or even be held from graduating. She ran her last lap and India came together in hopes of their shipmate crossing the line in time – and she did – 1519.

Thursday came and with it our helmsman and five knot test. The helmsman test is a simulator where the recruit controls the rudder of a vessel. The test ensures the recruit knows how to respond to an order, execute the order, and confirms the completion of the order. The test is not hard; however it does require a level of concentration and sensitivity when moving the rudder. The record 100’s on the test was 27 from larger, 80 plus companies. We broke the record with 30. We come from a generation of video games and computers - but so did the other recruits. Our knot test consisted of our making five different knots correctly – given 20 seconds. It seems tough but with practice 20 seconds is really a lot of time. Everyone in our company passed.

Friday came the toughest academic assessment yet – our midterm. After four weeks of information being poured into us from every direction our midterm arrived to test our retention of all that knowledge. We had all the tools to succeed and so we did our best.

After we completed our midterms we had the honor and privilege to march in Echo-182’s graduation ceremony. Hearing their families cheer for them made all our hearts swell knowing we would be in that position soon.

Also in the middle of all our exams we had the opportunity to fill out our dream sheets, our wish list of where we would like to go once we leave boot camp. Our instructors and CC’s did the best they could to advise and guide us. But in the end the decisions are our own and we made our list. Now we wait until next week to see what we are offered. We sit like children the night before Christmas – excited and hopeful, twinkles in our eyes of the bright day that will dawn the next chapter of our lives. Secret smiles beg to be released as we maintain our military bearing – we cannot wait until next week – so many questions waiting behind one answer.

Another team experience was the blood drive. Like lemmings one by one we marched through the doors sleeves rolled up and ready to give to the greater good. Every one participated but not all could give – those who did - saved lives and they have not even left boot yet.

Finally, Saturday (after watching others do it, taking a class on it, and talking about it) we learned and practiced how to raise the National Ensign – The American Flag. The Star Spangled Banner still waves over the land of the fee and India-182 is raising her, along with the prisoner of war flag, the Coast Guard ensign, and the preparatory flag.

The flag is a symbol of who and what we area as people, as India-182, as Coast Guardsmen.  Our Lead Company Commander, Mk1 Wagner explained to us the honor it is to hoist the flag and each of us felt our hearts strings pull. We stood a little taller, held our heads higher because we are joining a group of men and women who lived and died for those colors. We are joining a family of selfless hero’s committed to the flag and everything it symbolizes.

Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness – since our country began our ideals and values we expressed in the constitution and the red, white, and blue waving in the wind reminds us of what we are serving, protecting, and saving.

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Left… Left… Left, right, left… Left…” The sounds of the boots hitting concrete and the call of the cadence resonate in our ears as we try to fall asleep… “Left… Left…”

Every day we march to the galley, to class, to everywhere and nowhere. We march, standing tall leaning back and ever forward, forward to the goal of becoming Guardians.

One foot in front of the other together we learn the necessary skills to work in the fleet. We tried on and tested the Mustang suit in the water, learning how to survive until rescue. We all jumped in, feet first, arms crossed into the blue we all survived.

We also began our seamanship classes. Seamanship has been the most hands on and exciting course. We learn the essentials-how to identify ships and aircraft, how to tie knots, and nautical terminology. In seamanship we are learning how to be part of the big team, the Fleet. Now it begins to feel like a job, not just random rules and training.

Although, nothing, is done without reason. As arbitrary as it may seem the smallest things can mean life or death. For example, all shoe strings and draw strings must be tucked in. In the melee of getting ready someone forgets. We do Incentive Training accordingly-however, now we are also given explanations. If a cord gets stuck in a machine-it can suck you in and tear you into a million pieces. Not only have you and your family suffered so has the Coast Guard, because without you the mission cannot be fulfilled.

Thus, mistakes for little things are no longer forgivable and our CC’s bring forth “The Hurricane winds.” We do range prep, sitting, legs crossed and piece held in our shoulders, for our lack of self discipline. Our piece is an honor and a tool. We know its nomenclature, its purpose, and its weight. We train for close order drill. One of the many exams we must pass as a company. We want to be the best India ever and we train everyday to make it so.

We have also begun to put our 11 General Orders into action: we stand watch. Following our 11 General Orders, three recruits stand watch over Healy Hall and make security rounds.  As a watch stander we are the first line of defense and first person on scene in an emergency. For one hour a night three recruits assume the responsibility for the entire company’s safety. It’s a huge and important responsibility that directly relates to our chosen career. Safety-our own and others-is pivotal in such a dangerous occupation. Yes, we lose sleep and are also growing to be more responsible and accountable.

Through all of this we grew closer as a team. Some faces change, some new recruits come in and some old recruits go home, but the core remains. We are India. Our leaders have slowly come into their own and are learning how to be effective leaders. They are examples to the company of how we should be-it is not an easy position to be in; we respect them for it.

Another week has passed and five more weeks stand before us, and so, we march-standing tall, leaning back, one foot in front of the other. “Left… Left… Left, right left… Left…”

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Week 02

India-182 Company Motto: Through discipline and motivation is born teamwork. This week we have learned how true our motto is-and the price when discipline fails. Discipline is a word with more than one meaning. Sometimes discipline is used to mean punishment but the real meaning of the word can best be described by right attitude. We are trying to maintain positive attitudes while enduring stress and incentive training. Our CC’s are not asking the impossible-they ask us to do what we are told, how we are told, when we are told to do it. Attention to detail is pivotal. It may not seem important now but one detail can mean a life saved or not. There are moments we fail our CC’s expectations and we are punished for it. However, we are becoming stronger for it.

Classes are given daily and the information given is the equivalent of having a fire hose pointed at you and turning on the valve. Rates and ranks is our most challenging class. There are those who could not grasp the information. We all suffer for it; however, we all learned the lessons and helped our shipmates.

We are shipmates, a team; the only family we have is each other for the next six weeks. The strength and weakness have begun to show and we work together to strengthen weakness and sharpen strengths. Many of us have jobs to help run the machine: squad leaders, yeoman, laundry crew. We each have our role for the success of this company.

We eat, sleep, and march together. There is no “I”, no individual, there is just India-182. I would be lying if I said we do not question our decision to be here. Still, we remain and persevere.

We have learned more techniques for marching and have been issued our pieces. Some of the pieces were used in WWII. It’s an honor to train with them and a pain to carry them. They are yet another tool to train and to polish. With time our movements will be sharper and our arms will be stronger.

The team has highs and lows in morale and home is just a memory away. There are moments of weakness but we rally around again and make it through another day.

Every morning and night we say

Article VI:

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

We are India-182!

We ARE India-182, the only India-182 that will train and graduate from Training Center Cape May and we will succeed. For ourselves, our team, our CC’s, our families, and for the uniform we are all proud to wear.

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We embarked on our journey to Cape May, New Jersey full of knowledge and dreams. Aboard planes we came from all over the nation. From as far north as Alaska, other from the heart of Texas, and some from Tampa Bay. We gathered together in the USO office; our numbers growing as the flights arrived. Hours passed as we talked, nervous and excited about what was to come. We all had ideas, but none of us was totally prepared.  The bus arrived around 8pm to take us to Cape May, New Jersey-the home of the US Coast Guard Training Center-our new home for the next eight weeks. The bus ride lasted only a moment and forever. We peered out the windows looking for signs to say how close we were to our new chosen fate and then suddenly- we arrived. The bus rolled in and in front of Sexton Hall, on the stairs stood 06 Chiefs and Company Commanders in full uniform. They stood facing down, the brim of their hats hiding their faces. Uniformly and menacingly they approached the bus. And so our forming week began.

Forming week is just how it sounds-they took us from our civilian clothes and possessions and formed us from 41 unique individuals into India-182.  Our first night we filled paperwork out but the CC’s didn’t make it easy. The pressure was on and we were all taken aback. Suddenly, the question, Male or Female became the hardest question on earth. Wednesday and Thursday passed by like a blur. We went to medical where we received shots, had our teeth x-rayed and examined, saw counselors, and filled out more paper work. In the middle of that medical onslaught we learned how to march as a company, in the galley and try on uniforms. Slowly the transformation became visible. We chose this. This is real. We are training to become guardians. Friday afternoon our forming ceremony was held. Captain Thomas reaffirmed our oath of enlistment and handed us over to our Lead Company Commander. From that point on we are India-182. The CC’s at Sexton Hall taught us all they could and warned us of what was to come. We were scared-with reason.

From Friday afternoon until Sunday morning our Lead Company Commander and our two Company Commanders taught us how to make our bed, fold our clothes, and shine our shoes. Everything we need to know is explained-at least once.

Whenever we make mistakes we are inventively trained. In uniform IT becomes difficult, with boondockers it seems impossible. However, we manage. Failure is not an option.

Our hardest lesson has been discipline. The CC’s see us even if we do not see them. One person’s mistake is the whole companies. Something most of us are not accustomed to.

Sunday truly was our day of rest. We were busy but we were not cleaning or marching. Instead we fixed our racks, ironed our uniforms, studied, and wrote home. Many of us also went to chapel. It does not hurt to say thanks and ask for strength for the week to come.

We miss our friends and families and that is the fuel that keeps our fires burning. We want to succeed for ourselves, for you, and for each other.

We are India-182. Highly motivated, truly dedicated United States Coast Guard Recruits.

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