March 13, 2009

What a beautiful graduation ceremony. We were all beaming with joy to see the accomplishments of the ones we love. They were in such high spirits as they marched to the gym, proclaiming "We are Alfa 181" in their cadence. They all have such bright futures ahead. I was so proud to see my beautiful girl become such a strong woman. I know she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

posted March 10, 2009

Alfa- 181

Week 07

08mar09

Great day in the morning this week went by fast! It seems like we just got over the sugar high of last weeks on base liberty and they're kicking us off the base for liberty! We're now in week 08 of our 08 week training program, time has flown by and we are now the most senior (and badass) company on the regiment.

This past week, we've bee setting up our housing, moving arrangements and travel plans. We took our final exams and have an average score of 97%, which earned us the Final pennant. Also this week, we earned the close order drill pennant, physical fitness pennant, section commander and company commander pennant. The company commander pennant is held closest to our hearts, because it means that our company commanders are confident that we're ready to be guardians.

This week we were certified in CPR and first aid, requirements to join the fleet. We also had our last seamanship class, where we learned how to cast, heave and tie spring and mooring lines. A local Girl Scout Troop came to Seamanship and we had the opportunity to teach knot tying to them, we had as much fun as the Scouts. We were privileged with the obstacle course once more, with our primary focus being on the rope climb, and having almost the entire company make it to the top successfully. Our swim class was way more intense then last weeks, and we enjoyed the challenge very much. DCC Garry and MST1 Leathers even decided to join us for our swim circuit, and we attempted to meet their challenging pace, not very successfully however. Another great moment of the week was turning in our pieces, which we've grown attached too, but not enough to want to keep.

Saturday was a fantastic day, and as always the jersey weather was unpredictable. With snow still on the ground from our 14 inch mini-blizzard, it was 75 degrees and sunny at the jersey shore for our off base liberty. There was Coast Guard blue from Rio Grande to Ocean City, and everywhere in between! Many of us rented hotel rooms and took a much needed nap. The interaction with the civilians stunned us all and the level of respect they showed us, made us prouder than we thought we could be to wear the uniform of something so great. Some of us went to the boardwalk, others camped in front of Wal-Mart all day and ate junk food, talked on the phone and just relaxed.

This approaching week, we have our evaluation, turn in our PQS (personal qualifications standards booklet), sign our official orders, attended another swim class, have our company pizza party and GRADUATE! Our graduation ceremony will be Friday, March 13th 2009 at the base Cape May. The ceremony will start at 1100 sharp, so please don't be late! After graduation, you'll be shown around the regiment and shown where they make the guardians of the sea. We hope you're as proud of us as we are of ourselves, because we've come a long way, and nothing can take away the sense of accomplishment we have a whole.

Awaiting what the future holds,

The one and only,

Alfa- 181

posted March 3, 2009

March 1, 2009 Week 06 Alfa-181

Hello to all the families out there from Alfa 181! We're now in week 07 and still learning so much everyday. Our greatest achievement this week was earning our colors. We now proudly carry the flag of Alfa 181, accompanied by our pennants. Our colors were given to us after a drill search and rescue mission on the beach.

Another milestone for Alfa was scoring 09 out of 10 on our manual of arms test, given by our section commander, BMC Hampton. Chief Hampton also taught our legacy class this week, pertaining to what mark we'd like to make on the coast guard.

This week was our fire fighter training and practical. Our first class we learned all the terms and definitions of all the gear, but our second class we each put out a live (contained) fire, and put on all the required gear. On test day (practical) we had 10 minutes to put on all gear, including our oxygen tanks on and properly hooked up. All the above was done in a dark room, we then proceeded to another dark room to extinguish a fire using teamwork to control the hose. We had our SDB's (dress uniforms) tailored this week, so they fit correctly for graduation. On the subject of graduation, we set up Yankees graduation on Friday morning. Starting early in the morning, we stood greeting watches, cleaned, set up chairs, put down the carpets or went to dental appointments. Very few of my shipmates have yet to have out their wisdom teeth; at least 15 of my shipmates got their wisdom teeth out in this past week.

Saturday, we were taken on the operational tours, where we were permitted aboard the 210' cutter dependable. Those of my shipmates who got orders to a small boat station, got to tour the small boat station in Cape May, and went aboard the 47' motor lifeboat and the 25' response boat.

As an honorable mention, the drill team preformed a 21-gun salute at the funeral of a retired Senior Chief on Thursday. They were quite nervous, but preformed exceptionally well and were proud to show their respect for the legacy of guardians who have come before us.

On a separate note, we found out Saturday evening, that 64 members of our families and friends gave blood to the red cross when we did the week before last, and we wish to thank you so much for honoring the cause and giving what you could.

After our operational tours on Saturday, we were granted our on base liberty. Many of you received phone calls from us I'm sure, as the phone lines were packed the entire time liberty was granted. We went to the exchange and spent $45 each on junk food. We then proceeded to the harbor view, the on base bar/ restaurant, where we played pool, listened to music, used the phones, ate a waited meal and played in the arcade. It was a very relaxing atmosphere, and we enjoyed it very much.

Sunday, we had divine hours and went for a walk all over the base, looking at all the historical things, such as the old air strip, and the mast of the USCGC Spencer. It was a long day that ended with quite a bit of snow on the ground. Most of the week, we've been making travel arrangements, planning our moves and contacting our new units. This week flew by and next week should as well, due to its busy schedule. From our finals, CPR/First Aid class, piece turn in (about time!), Confidence Course to off base liberty, it's going to be crazy busy every day.

We were told, we were stronger, smarter and more capable than we thought we were, we believe you now. Thank you to all our families for the amazing support you've been giving us and the mail and encouraging words.

We thank you for helping us become what we are today, Alfa 181.