Week 4 blog from USCG Tracen Cape May

Week 04

Basic Training is often referred to as the time when a person's character is tested most. Well, week 04 has definitely been a time for testing. In a matter of days we have been tested physically and academically, and continue to have our character as a company tested day in and day out.
Our first major test was our Physical Fitness Assessment. Many recruits passed by seconds, thanks to our Company Commanders who ran alongside us and pushed us beyond what we thought we were capable of accomplishing. Our second challenge was our Marksmanship course, where we learned the proper safety procedures for shooting and handling small arms, as well as techniques to enhance marksmanship skills. Each recruit had an opportunity to practice the firing circuit prior to a test to qualify. A few of us qualified as Sharpshooter and several others as Marksman. We continued on a victorious testing path on Thursday when we took our helms command and knots test. Not only did we pass, but we managed to shatter the previous existing record (27) for the company with the most perfect scores by having over 40 of our own score perfectly. On Friday we took our final test of the week- our mid-term. Thanks to great instructors and organization, we were able to achieve a company average of 95%, which is a great feat when dealing with almost 100 members in a company.
Outside of the topic of testing, one of the biggest highlights for most of the company was getting to fill out our "dream sheets" requesting the location of our first stations after graduation. It seems like just yesterday we were getting off of those buses, and here we are already acing mid-terms and planning for our next adventures.
While the rest of the country enjoyed barbeque and fireworks on Saturday, we took our places alongside our senior company (Uniform) and sang Happy Birthday to America. Not only did we sing, but as to be expected at Basic Training we, exercised in the name of Uncle Sam. How many people can say they pushed for their country on the anniversary of its independence?
Many of us were excited because today was our first time off base for a 1.5 mile company run. From what we could see with our "eyes in the boat" (straight ahead), Cape May seems to be a beautiful town. To wrap up week 04, we had the opportunity to march in the Sunset Parade that takes place here on base and is open to the citizens of Cape May. Seeing the reaction of the citizens as we marched past, along with several other events this week, have instilled in us a greater sense of patriotism, purpose, and pride.
As we enter week 05, we look forward to another week filled with training and challenges. Until next week, Victor 181 signing out.