Delta 197 Recruit Journal Week 07

Posted by dwessel, Monday, March 18, 2019

Delta 197 Recruit Journal

Formed: Jan 29, 2019

Graduates: Mar 22, 2019

 

Graduation Program: Posted Thursday afternoon: Week 7 Blog

Go to:
http://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/TraCen-Cape-May/

Under the “Graduation Date” Tab you will be able to find the Graduation Program

!!!!!!!!!

To view the Graduation Live: Time: 1100 AM

The live stream of the graduations are viewed by going to the training center’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/uscoastguardbootcamp

 

*It should be noted that the live streams are a courtesy and not a guarantee. There could be technical issues or resource availability issues that would interfere with the stream. The live streams are not intended to be high definition productions of the graduation ceremonies.

 

If you are looking for higher quality video products from your loved one’s graduation, you should contact VTS at 609-365-8889

!!!!!!!!!

 

 

In our Helmsman Guide that we received before Recruit Training, there is a

section that summarizes each week and assigns a stress level to each Week.

Week 07 is marked as “low” which is only partially correct. In truth,

compared to other weeks, it certainly is not as emotionally or physically

damaging as a whole; but when it is stressful, it is at a level that puts to

shame anything else we have faced with far greater consequences if we fail.

 

But that pressure is not spread out constantly throughout the week; only

delivered in small doses. Such as when we were not quite at the standards of

a senior week company. We needed required remedial instruction to remind us

it is not over.

 

This week was a shock to our system, in a good way. As our Section Commander

and Company Commanders one by one started letting us see behind the curtain,

at who they are really. It rocked our world on Monday to have our Section

Commander sit us down and talk to us like normal people. He explained why he

does what he does, encouraging us to press forward, and urging us not to get

complacent or lazy so close to the finish line. In a similar fashion, on

Friday our Company Commanders debriefed us. Through uncontrollable laughter,

going through all the memorable moments of the company, and showing us who

they really are beneath the campaign covers and effective knife hands. At

first we thought it was a trap, until we saw them genuinely smile and talk

to us, and we realized they were preparing us to be not just recruits but

shipmates.

 

This week we did line handling and as we donned safety gear just like we

would use in the fleet and practiced mooring and unmooring evolutions on a

massive reconstruction of a ship deck and pier. Going over all he procured

of handling heavy line without a mishap-a critical skill underway.

 

We then certified for CPR, practicing our skills on high-tech models that

gave prompt feedback on our techniques, ensuring we have at least a basic

ability to save lives in an emergency.

 

Thursday, was marked by the privilege of speaking with the Master Chief

Petty Officer of the Coast Guard who addressed our company via

teleconference, giving us his thoughts as the senior-most enlisted member of

the Coast Guard. It was humbling and motivating to experience his passion

and modesty, giving us a sense of what we will strive to emulate in our

conduct. He answered our questions directly, and encouraged us to press into

the opportunities that await us in the fleet, leaving us very motivated.

 

Finally, perhaps the highlight of our week, we turned in our pieces

Saturday, and spent nearly the entire day on off-base liberty, proudly

representing our service in public, wearing our Service Dress Blues. We

enjoyed the privileges we have gone so long without. The food we ate, the

activates we enjoyed, even the way in which people treat us. All things we

took for granted as civilians, took on new meaning and value. After all we

have been through, when people stopped to thank us or pay for our meals

because of our uniforms and bearing, it struck home how important it is that

we protect the things we love about our country, and how great a privilege

and responsibility that is.

 

Semper Paratus

Delta-197

 

SR Frack

 

Editor’s Note: This blog post was written by a recruit currently involved in Coast Guard basic training. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this Journal do not necessarily reflect those of Training Center Cape May, the U.S. Coast Guard or the federal government and are the sole opinion of the author. Recruit Journals are written by personnel in a high-stress environment with little time, so please excuse grammar and punctuation in the above article. The staff at Training Center Cape May do not edit the journals in any way, so as to ensure authenticity of the content and messages.

Tags: Delta 197