USCG Journal Post 30 June 2009

Here is the journal posted today!! Can not see Shawn, but he is there!


"The Days are long, but the weeks fly by." Most of us have heard this since day one, but it was not until this week that we have finally begun to see this for ourselves. Week three of our training has been a very eventful week with our days pretty tightly packed. In just seven days, we have gone from learning basics on how to conduct ourselves in a military manner to learning more hands-on, practical information that we will be able to apply to our careers as Coastguardsmen once we enter the fleet.
We practiced emergency water survival techniques using Mustang suits, which are full-body, personal flotation devices used to protect against hypothermia in worst case scenarios. In our Seamanship course, we are being trained on how to avoid and handle those types of emergency situations by learning nautical terminology, how to identify different Coast Guard vessels and aircrafts, how to properly helm a cutter (steer/drive), and how to tie the basic knots used to save lives and operate on a cutter. With a lot to learn and an enthusiastic instructor, Seamanship has definitely become a course that we all look forward to attending.
On Friday we made our official "debut" as we marched as the junior-most company at graduation. According to the feedback that we received, we are advancing well with our marching (which takes a lot of teamwork). Teamwork takes discipline, which we are beginning to show more of each day. This discipline, we are realizing, tends to lead to less incentive training and more of the aforementioned hands-on training.
As we enter our fourth week here at TRACEN Cape May, we refer to what our own Chaplain Barry shared with us this week- "Fortitude- the strength and the courage to endure." We will continue to maintain our courage and strength as you continue to keep those letters of motivation rolling in. VICTOR-181 signing out.

Shawn's weekly journal from Boot camp

This is the journal done by Shawn's company.

22JUN09
All of the preparation in the world couldn't have prepared us for what we were about to experience at the Cape May Training Center. Tension and anxiety filled the air of each of our buses the night that they took us away from the Philadelphia airport as well as the civilian life we had come to know. Our feelings escalated and our thoughts ran wild as the reality set in that we were going to be here for "zero-eight' weeks.
The last two weeks have been, for most of us, the beginning of one of the most interesting and difficult times of our lives. We are taking classes that we can apply to our daily lives such as stress management and applying the Coast Guard core values of (honor, respect, and devotion to duty). In addition to classes, we are learning from hands on training such as marching, rifle handling, and incentive training (an intense work out consisting of push ups, crunches, squats and flutter kicks...we find ourselves doing a lot of this).
Last Saturday was one of the most interesting days so far. We learned a whole new meaning to the term field day; a definition that involved so much physical activity and sweat that by the times we found ourselves marching in the rain, it didn't make much difference in our appearance. Despite all of the physical training that we are doing, however, we are still going strong mentally and can feel ourselves growing stronger physically.
That night after field day we had the opportunity to learn more about the first-hand experiences of our lead company commander (Petty Officer First Class Woof) while serving in the Coast Guard. The conversation not only brought our company closer together but made us reevaluate the words "COAST GUARD" embroidered on our uniforms with a greater sense of pride.
As a whole our company grows closer everyday. We have shown great potential in marching and are starting to show signs of teamwork. We still have trouble meeting some time objectives but as our teaming efforts improve so will our speed. Discipline is our company motto; something that is constantly being instilled into us. Company morale grows each day with 02 weeks down and 06 weeks to go.
Keep those letters coming to us. One of our main sources of motivation is being able to keep in contact with our loved ones back home. We look forward to updating you next week! Victor-181 signing off!

I am not sure who writes these, but it is nice to know how Shawn and his company are doing!!! I will continue to post them on here.

In Shawn's letters he sounds good. He says that being there is hard and the physical things are difficult but he is pushing through and doing well. His favorite part is the food. He said that they eat a lot and the food is good!! That is such a relief...

Love and prayers
Tiffany Q- Proud Coastie Wife

USCG Training Camp Cape May, NJ

Well, the time has come and Shawn has arrived at boot camp. I still can't believe that it all happened so fast. Time flew by from the time he called and told me he was interested to this point. I think that today may have been one of the hardest days of my life. I have always thought of myself as a strong person and I have been through a lot in my life, but for some reason this hit harder than I could have imagined. I am sure me being in Midland alone didn't help, nor the fact that our communication with eachother was one of the main things holding us together and it's gone now. I always felt ok here alone because I knew that all I had to do was pick up the phone and either text or call him and it's a little weird knowing that I can't do that anymore for the next 8 weeks or so.
I am sure that time will creep by at first, but I am trying to keep busy and school won't let me be down for too long. I also have my wonderful family, friends and extended family that I know I can call and just chat with if I need to. Shawn and I are truly blessed to have such a supporting and loving family.
Well, I do have a big nephrology test in the morning and have a letter to write to my husband... so enough for tonight.

God Bless
-Proud Coastie Wife