07Dec09

Well Papa has finally reached week 07. There is no way to sufficiently describe how important this week is for the company.  We are finding the adjustment to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel an awkward one.  On the one hand we are so close to week eight, to graduation, to our new careers, to seeing our families, and on the other hand there is still so much to learn, to accomplish, and to stay focused on. 

Papa spent its day being indoctrinated to first aid and CPR. We practiced how to approach an emergency situation and successfully handle serious injuries that we may come across in the fleet.  We were then issued CPR mannequins which we used to learn the proper procedures for administering CPR on victims of serious trauma.  So the days for Papa are still heavy, showing us just how dangerous a job we signed up for, and how important it is for us to stay on the ball and focused.

08Dec09

Another rollercoaster day for Papa company.  As expected our schedule was packed with exams and inspections. We began our day with seamanship line handling where we practiced heaving lines for tomorrows practical. We also took seamanship final exam and surprised our instructor by scoring high enough to receive the seamanship pennant for our guidon. We then went straight into our close order drill test which we passed by the skin of our teeth. Although the company felt down for scoring so low, our spirits were quickly raised upon learning that our Battalion Commander was thoroughly impressed by the cleanliness of our squad bays during our surprise inspection. Later in the day our lead company commander was not so impressed when during our service dress inspection by the Battalion Officer, Papa showed a general lack of required knowledge. This is certainly not befitting of a week 07 company, especially since our final exam is coming up on Friday. Papa can’t let the thought of Saturdays off base liberty get in the way of doing what it has to do.  

09Dec09

Papa Company began a cold and rainy day outside performing their line handling practical. We had to show a variety of seamanship skills to get through the evolution which was made particularly difficult in the biting rain. This was our last time going to seamanship and we will miss our instructors and the hands on skills we were learning. Those skills were put to the test today as the company competed in performing various seamanship skills to see which member of Papa would receive the seamanship award. The rest of the day was spent performing uniform maintenance, and getting haircuts. We have also been quizzing each other on our required knowledge, getting ourselves prepared for Friday’s final exam. This test will be a combination of what we have learned here during recruit training and it can also mean another pennant for our guidon, something Papa strives to attain more of by the end of week 08.

10Dec09

Papa-182 began its day with a very informative class taught by representatives from the Work-Life program.  Many recruits with dependents had their questions answered, and gained a greater understanding about Work-Life and the things they do. Soon after chow we arrived at our second class of the day which was about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and self-examinations.  Papa spent the remainder of the day getting everything squared away.  We made sure our uniforms were flawless, that we knew everything we needed to know about reporting to our first unit, and most importantly made sure we were ready for our final.  Not only is it important to be squared away on the required knowledge of training, but a high average on the final would add yet another pennant to our guidon.

11Dec09 – 13Dec09

By the end of the weekend Papa is now marching around as the senior company on regiment, and even more impressively with three more pennants on our guidon.  The company successfully gained a combined average of 91% on the final exam to receive it’s first of the day. The second pennant we received for our company’s overall physical fitness. But the third and definitely proudest pennant Papa received was the Company Commander pennant. Not many in the company could have predicted in forming week that when week 07 rolled around we would have impressed our CC’s enough to have earned that honor.  It was truly a great day for the company, and a perfect way to lead into Saturday and our off base liberty. This weekend Papa also voted on who would receive individual achievement awards for outstanding performance academically, physically, and in leadership roles.

Though we are entering into our final week here at Cape May, we have to keep in mind that training isn’t over yet, and work still needs to get done.  We are now in the running of the Section and Battalion Commander pennants so Papa needs to keep itself at a high level of professionalism. 

23Nov09

Papa-182 began its day with starboard side doing pugel sticks it was very exciting and fun to watch the different types of competition battle it out and see who prevails. Port side, was unable to do pugel sticks because the weather turned foul and instead had to clean their squad bays while getting yelled at by their company commanders. Afterwards Papa Company had a class on the different types of pennants and what they mean. Our next class was another seamanship class, this time on radio communication and rescue signals. Our company yeoman is working on our duty assignments today and the company is anxiously waiting to hear where we are going to be stationed.

24NOV09

Papa company spent the morning at Dempsey hall being outfitted with their tropical blue uniforms everybody was excited and many were surprised at how much slimmer they have gotten in the last month. Later in the day the company got to test out signaling devices such as flares and smoke signals. We also had a test on these different devices and their uses. After the test we had a chance to try out radio communication as many of us will be standing watch at our first units where we’ll be manning radios and monitoring them for emergencies. We still haven’t received our orders but we have hope that we’ll receive them before thanksgiving break so we can notify our families. Mike- 182 graduated today which puts a little bit more pressure on Papa as we rise up the seniority ladder. We must come together stronger to gain the respect of our company commanders and the regiment; it’s not an impossible task and the decision is in our hands.

25NOV09

Papa-182 had its seamanship midterm today and everyone did fairly well. During seamanship we learned about different types of personal flotation devices and we all participated in trying to get them on as quick as possible. Morale in Papa had been running high for a number of reasons; all our company commanders have been calling cadences with us when we march off the regiment, we’ve been keeping our discipline in check, the company is going off base for thanksgiving tomorrow and last but certainly not least we’ve received our orders today. There were a lot of surprises and some were a little disappointed but the majority are ready willing and anxious to get to their stations.

26NOV09

We began the day by getting our operational dress uniforms inspection ready for operation fireside. Operation fireside is where local families and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars take in recruits so they can enjoy their thanksgiving off base. The company is thankful for the community showing such appreciation for our service and it makes us realize just how much the coast guard means to them. When we returned back to base the company knew it had to lock back on to its discipline to continue training. Tomorrow we are back to business as usual.

27NOV09

Today began and ended on a painful note for Papa Company. After breakfast the company received their small pox and yellow fever vaccinations. Many Coasties can expect to visit foreign ports or deal with migrants who come from places where these diseases are still active. None of the recruits were thrilled to be poked and prodded but we suffered through it as best we could. Classes today consisted of financial management, government housing, an operational risk management. In between we worked on our manual of arms drill; our test is next Tuesday and we are progressing but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure we pass. Unfortunately Papa let its self slip up and our practice session got cut short and instead we were given some remedial instruction till we got our act together and our heads on straight.

28NOV09

Today was a day of practice for our upcoming exams. We were worked on our manual of arms and close order drill. Both tests are extremely important because they show how well the company works as a team and how well they can follow and execute orders. We received some compliments today on how well we looked by another company’s company commander, something that is few and far between. Papa rode that high wave of morale as we continued into the evening. Many of us feel we are beginning to turn into a real company and hopefully the praise for papa will continue. We are of course looking forward to tomorrow’s divine hours, a chance to catch up on our uniforms and racks, as well as another off base run with a chance to sound off our cadences.

29NOV09

Papa began the day with divine hours and we squared away our uniforms, racks, and squad bays. Afterwards we practiced manual of arms, getting ready for Tuesdays test. After chow we went for another off base company run. We have these runs to motivate the company and help us come together and work as a team. Afterwards we came back to the squad bay to do some more practice of our manual of arms and the company is feeling confident about its test. We are starting to do the movements as one and that is key for success.

30NOV09

Today was an exciting day for Papa Company as we were revisited by our company mentor Admiral Pekoske. We again had a question and answer session, but this time with all the recruits having their orders, the questions we were much more pointed and the answers that much more significant. Admiral Pekoske is an enthusiastic and exciting mentor and we were very pleased that he noticed a change in our bearing and in the company’s attitude as a whole. We also received a motivational speech from one of our company commanders on tomorrows uniform inspection and manual of arms test. The respect of our company commanders is riding on the results and papa is anxious to please.

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09 Nov 09

Today PAPA-182 met the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, who is also our company mentor. He brought with him an entourage of esteemed guardians. We had a two hour answer, question, comments and advice session with them. A lot of knowledge was gained and for many of us our motivation was re-affirmed. After a class on Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Rape, we continued to do drills designed to make us work more as a team instead of individuals. We all need rest due to the increasing physical demands on our company.

10 Nov 09

Our classes today were on Military Identification and Safety. In between, we had a survival float class. We learned how to float in cold water while still being able to retain body heat. We learned how to float solo and with a group. It made many of us realize how important things that we learn in basic are, as the knowledge could potentially save a shipmate's, citizen's, or even our own life. In the evening we had a class focusing on the history of the Coast Guard and its illustrious guardians.

11 Nov 09

Today PAPA-182 began its day with a cybex class. Right afterwards we were unexpectantly rushed back to the gym as ESPN was doing a special live broadcast from TRACEN Cape May. PAPA company was lucky enough to be right behind the broadcast stage. We were applauded for our self-discipline and professionalism. Unfortunately, as soon as we stepped out of the limelight we reverted back to a lax attitude. We were reminded later that evening to keep our self-discipline at all times. Guardians in the fleet need self-discipline and to be Semper Paratus at all times.

12 Nov 09

PAPA-182 began the day with a lifecycle class. Everybody did a fairly good job. Today was the ugliest weather that PAPA-1825 has experienced since we've been here. Our company commanders informed us that these are the types of conditions that we will be experiencing while doing search and rescue cases when out in the field. We had our first seamanship class today, which we all thought was very enjoyable. We finished out the night with more teamwork drills.

13 Nov 09

Today we learned about the Coast Guard's cutters, boats and aircraft. After class we returned to clean our squadbays because they were not inspection ready. After cleaning our squadbay, we were finally given time to properly shine our boondockers. After chow we went to another seamanship class and learned the different types of ropes, ties, knots, and lines. After chow we had a short class and introduction to the Coast Guard Honor Guard. Many of were impressed and wanted to join, but were disappointed to learn that there are height requirements as well.

14 Nov 09

We started off today by missing time objectives and showing lack of discipline. After morning chow we began a long day of seamanship classes, where we began some hands on instruction of knot tying and helmsmen simulation. After evening chow we had a motivational instruction by our lead company commander. Unfortunately for us, we are too frequently losing our motivation and military bearing and are constantly needing these instruction sessions.

15 Nov 09

Today started off with Divine Hours. Most of the recruits use this time to get their racks and uniforms inspection ready. The company was split into port and starboard sections so that we can work more efficiently in getting our qualifications. The port side began its indoctrination to marksmanship and will be heading to the range tomorrow to complete the Basic Pistol Marksmanship Course. PAPA-182 actually showed some signs of working together as a team and has high hopes that we will continue in this vein tomorrow.

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30OCT09

After three days of going through the arrival process, which includes administrative details and long hours at the medical center, we were formally introduced to our company commanders. We look forward to learning the skills that will allow us to emulate these distinguished guardians. We quickly realized though, that we have a long way to go as recruit before we can begin to approach their level.

31OCT09

Today was Halloween and our lead company commander went trick or treating. Unfortunately for PAPA-182, his favorite treat was ordering recruits to do push-ups. We struggled as a company to meet time objectives and got "hooked-up" several times throughout the day. We began to learn close order drills and the many rules and regulations that recruits must abide by in order to transform themselves into honorable and respectable guardians.

01NOV09

Today was our first Sunday; for most of us it was spent squaring away our racks and getting our uniforms inspection ready. For others it meant going to worship services to relieve the stress of recruit training. Due to daylight savings we were afforded an extra hour of sleep. Luckily for PAPA-182, that meant extra rest for our first core training workout. Many of us struggled during this session, working up a gluttonous appetite for shoe. And of course due to our continuous tardiness, we were rewarded with more incentive training. Later in the day our company worked together to clean and sanitize our squad bays concluding our first Sunday at Healy Hall as PAPA-182

02NOV09

Today was a strenuous day for PAPA-182; within it we learned the true meaning of the keys to success. Through physical fitness we experienced the consequences of not applying them to our daily recruit live. The keys to success are : Sound off as loud as humanly possible, do as you're told, when you're told, and how you're told, and to do it quickly. As recruits our lifestyles are squeezed out of our comfort zones and into a whole new way of living. It's a harsh reality that every recruit must adapt to while in training, to adjust to the high standards of the company commanders. It is not impossible; only a different way of living. Today we experienced the reason why the Coast Guard is considered the second hardest boot camp of the military branches. Hopefully we will learn from our mistakes and learn to work as a team and apply these keys to success in order to meet the demands of recruit training.

03NOV09

It's a new day, but more of the same from PAPA-182. We're still having difficulty meeting the standards of our company commanders. Today the company had its first swimming assessment. Unfortunately, some of the recruits had a hard time meeting the qualifications. The test consisted of a 100 meter swim, and five minutes of treading water. After the assessment, our lack of discipline resulted in us receiving remedial instruction to correct our deficiencies. The afternoon brought with it more classroom courses where we were instructed about effective communication and human awareness. Both of these skills are essential for future encounters of the many types of diversity in the field. The end of the day was painful and tomorrow morning will begin with "Fire! Fire! Fire!"

04NOV09

As of yesterday evening PAPA-182 is no longer the newest company on the regiment. With this in mind the company strived to begin the day with a mature and disciplined mindset but yet again failed to sound off as a company, meet our time objectives and generally put our company commanders in a bad mood all day. Early this morning we got the opportunity to watch the sun rise, while running around the track preparing for our 1.5 mile run. Unfortunately for many, it was a difficult run. After morning chow it was on to the gym to have our first lifecycle class. As with the run some of the out of shape recruits found this very challenging. After lifecycles, we attended the very important class of rates and ranks. later PAPA-182 marched to the armory to pick up our pieces. (de-activated WWII M-1's) We learned just how heavy nine pounds can be after marching for a quarter of a mile and doing incentive training with them. Our chaplain visited Healy Hall and relieved an ounce of stress for PAPA-182. After an exhausting day PAP-182 is looking forward to a good night's sleep which is always needed.

05NOV09

PAPA-182 began the day on a bad note. We had continuous attention for our lack of motivation. After morning chow we went off to our core training class. For many it was difficult but for a few it was tolerable because they knew the expectations. After our class on pay and allowances, we went to chow then headed out on a practice march. Our company commander was almost pleased as we came together as a company amd marched in step. We continued the rest of the evening on a somewhat positive note as we accomplished some time objectives and quickly picked up manual of arms drilling with our pieces. We hope to continue coming together as a company so some stress is put at ease.

06NOV09

Today PAPA-182 went for another run, but today it was a full mile. Spirits were high and we went into our cybex workout ready to push ourselves. Then we had a short class on proper dental health. After chow we took a course on Anti-Terrorism and watch standing. We will begin utilizing this knowledge tonight as some of our fellow shipmates must stand watch. Our company will be taking turns standing watch each night in our building.

07NOV09

Today PAPA-182 endured a day full of remedial training. From the time we woke up until we left for chow, we were given time objectives for everything which we could not meet. After chow we had a military courtesies class, covering information on how, when, and where to salute the national ensign, the national anthem, and when it is near your presence. Later in the evening, a few members of the company went to choir practice while the rest of the company remained behind to do more remedial instruction. Today was a very busy Saturday, considering that most of us are used to relaxing on weekends. PAPA-182 is looking forward to a good night's sleep to rest from today's physical training, but we will be sore again tomorrow night, no doubts about it.

08NOV09

Our second Sunday of training and our second set of divine hours. We used this precious time to square our racks, uniforms, and ourselves. It was also the first chance many of us had to respond to letters from home, and for many of the company this was a cathartic process, but to put our minds on something other than the rigors of training for even a small amount of time does wonders for the company. After divine hours our company found itself in hot water as our lead company commander was unpleased with our inspection ready uniforms and our squad bays in general. He promised us a unforgetful evening after chow and we knew we were in for it. Much to the surprise and relief of the company, we were treated to a sit down with our lead company commander where he really made us understand just how important the core values of the Coast Guard are. Talking with us as a knowledgeable guardian, he reinforced the standards that we should be adhering to in recruit training and throughout our Coast Guard careers. It was a different attitude than his norm and its effect had a noticeable impact on many in the company. We are about to enter week three and PAPA-182 needs to start thinking for itself and truly taking on the traits of our service: Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty.

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