Boot Camp Journal

I have access to the USCG boot camp web sight.  The recruit companies post something each week about what they are accomplishing.  This is the company my son Aaron is in.  (I am not certain, but it sounds like my son could have written it.??)

Coast Guard Recruit Company November 184 weekly journal posted Feb. 1, 2011

	TRACEN Cape May, N.J. U.S. Coast Guard
November 184 weekly journal Graduation 3/11/2011
WEEK 2 We started our first week as a formed company. We have a long week ahead of us. On our quarterdeck we have our week schedule posted along with any medical and dental appointments for that day. We get up at 0530, take morning muster, and go get ready for the day. If people are late which is unacceptable, our company commander has us get in a push up position and stay there until muster is complete. It teaches us to stray alert. It also teachers us discipline. That’s the word we hear all the time. After we take muster we have either 10 or 15 minutes to change into our uniforms of the day, shave, and brush our teeth. We go to the galley to eat breakfast. Now there is a rumor that military food is terrible. We can assure you it's not true. The military has a buffet type line where you walk your tray and ask for what foods you want on your plate. The food is fresh, it's filling, nutritious, and tasty. No one complains about the food here in Cape May, NJ. After breakfast we either go to class or we go to the gym to work out. We each were given a physical fitness log to keep track of our performance during boot camp. WE have 8 short weeks to get in shape and pass our physical fitness tests. Boot camp is both mental and physical. Our classes are demanding, we have a lot of information to process in a short period of time. This week we learned about ranks, how to read them properly and how to properly greet them on base. We also learned about the Military Uniform Code of Justice. They are laws for military personnel. They are much stricter than civilian laws in many ways. Coast Guard as any service takes pride in Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. We are reminded of that everyday. We also had a class on "How to cope with Military life". We were taught about services available to us if we need help dealing with stress and if your families need help adjusting to constant relocating. Marching is a big part of military way of life. Everywhere we go, we march-left right left. We are slowly starting to march together in unison. It takes practice and we have a lot of it on a daily basis. We are constantly learning new drills while marching. We received a demilitarized version of a M-16. It can't fire a bullet however we are learning how to properly take care of it. We learned how to properly hold the M-16 while marching. We did sniper drills, that’s when we hold the piece. Shoulders not touching your body for 20 minutes. Its hard, we do them when we aren't paying attention during M-16 drills. Another drill we do with the M-16 when we don't ease the piece properly to the ground, its called "Piece I.T." The drill consists of different exercises that use the M-16. WE met our mentor this week. Master Chief Bordell. He talked to us, shared his wisdom of 27 years of service. He answered our questions we had about life after boot camp. He informed us about what we should expect when out on a cutter or a small boat station. We discussed schools, how to get promoted which ratings take leadership roles, and benefits offered us by U.S. Coast Guard. He was the "coolest" Master Chief we met. We can't wait to talk to him in week 05. We started our night watch on Friday. There are 06 people during each watch, each watch is 01 hours. There are 02 people that stand at the podium at the front door while other 04 road around the building making sure everything is in order. Watch starts at 2100 and ends at 0600. Everything gets documented, time you leave, time you come back, and any emergency gets documented. We learned about "RAMP". RAMP is a motivation program that helps recruits get back to the level their shipmates. Helps them both physically and mentally. Teachers them discipline and teamwork. RAMP is a 05 day program, its geared toward recruits who don't follow United States Coast Guard Core Values, they may face reversion or other disciplinary actions. We already seen is happen to few of our shipmates. Week 02 has come to an end. Little by little we become more unified through team building drills and discipline. Week 03 is upon us and we are "Fueled and Ready to Train"