Coastie Blog Week 6

As we inch closer to our graduation date, our experiences are changing more and more. Just as we are learning practical information and physically training to prepare for our entrance into the fleet, we are also taking other steps to prepare for our departure from sunny Cape May.
This week, we received our military identification cards; a major step towards being official Coastguardsmen. These cards are not only ID’s, but are also used for certain military access situations and double as our insurance and benefit cards. The most important and possibly the biggest step that we have taken towards our graduation has been arranging our travel plans to leave from our home here in Cape May to our new duty stations. There is something about booking a flight home that can refresh even the most exhausted recruit.
On Tuesday, we had our manual of arms test given by our section commander, and our many hours of practice sure paid off. We received and 8/10 and Chief Bou declared us as one of the best that he had seen. He commended us not only on our timing and execution, but also on our confident appearance. On Thursday, we had our second and final pugil stick bouts, which was nice break from our normal military bearing. Once again we were able to cheer our shipmates on and motivate one another to give 110%, but, just as before, once the fights were over it was right back to training mode.
Each week of training so far, we have enjoyed learning new techniques and information to help us succeed once we enter into our careers. Week 06 definitely kept the trend going as we spent much of this week learning fire damage control when aboard a vessel. Over the course of a few days, we were taught how to identify different classes of fires, how to properly use a fire extinguisher, and how to react in the case of a fire onboard. The best part of the firefighting training, however, was learning to fight larger scale fires. During this portion of the training, we were each able to dress out into the full firefighting protection gear (fire suit, helmet, boots, face mask, and self-contained breathing apparatus) and respond to a simulated fire. We were split into teams and, maneuvering low through a dark, smoke-filled room, we used 2.5 inch hoses with 68 pounds of water pressure to extinguish the “fire.” The fire fighting practical was definitely more challenging than many of us expected, and gave us a greater appreciation for the intense nature of this profession. As crew members on a vessel, we will be the firefighters, since dialing 911 while underway is not an option.
We finally got to enjoy our on base liberty- a privilege that we have been counting down towards since our arrival. We started off the day by touring the Cape May small-boat station and buoy tender that is currently in port. Being able to tour these sites increased our already elevated excitement about getting out into the fleet. Afterwards, we were actually told by our Lead Company Commander to “relax and go have fun;” something that we never thought we would hear from him. Although on-base activities were limited, we made the best of every opportunity, including visiting the exchange and the enlisted club. After six weeks of training, we’ve really developed an appreciation for the small things, such as being able to eat junk food and laugh with our shipmates.
We have become not only a strong company but a family in our time here. With only two weeks left of training, we are making every moment count, valuing our time together as well as absorbing every bit of information and guidance that we can attain. Week 07 will be our last full week as Echo Ones and we are looking forward to what is in store. Until next week, keep the mail coming and start packing to come and see your Coastie graduate! Victor 181, signing out.