07Dec09

Well Papa has finally reached week 07. There is no way to sufficiently describe how important this week is for the company.  We are finding the adjustment to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel an awkward one.  On the one hand we are so close to week eight, to graduation, to our new careers, to seeing our families, and on the other hand there is still so much to learn, to accomplish, and to stay focused on. 

Papa spent its day being indoctrinated to first aid and CPR. We practiced how to approach an emergency situation and successfully handle serious injuries that we may come across in the fleet.  We were then issued CPR mannequins which we used to learn the proper procedures for administering CPR on victims of serious trauma.  So the days for Papa are still heavy, showing us just how dangerous a job we signed up for, and how important it is for us to stay on the ball and focused.

08Dec09

Another rollercoaster day for Papa company.  As expected our schedule was packed with exams and inspections. We began our day with seamanship line handling where we practiced heaving lines for tomorrows practical. We also took seamanship final exam and surprised our instructor by scoring high enough to receive the seamanship pennant for our guidon. We then went straight into our close order drill test which we passed by the skin of our teeth. Although the company felt down for scoring so low, our spirits were quickly raised upon learning that our Battalion Commander was thoroughly impressed by the cleanliness of our squad bays during our surprise inspection. Later in the day our lead company commander was not so impressed when during our service dress inspection by the Battalion Officer, Papa showed a general lack of required knowledge. This is certainly not befitting of a week 07 company, especially since our final exam is coming up on Friday. Papa can’t let the thought of Saturdays off base liberty get in the way of doing what it has to do.  

09Dec09

Papa Company began a cold and rainy day outside performing their line handling practical. We had to show a variety of seamanship skills to get through the evolution which was made particularly difficult in the biting rain. This was our last time going to seamanship and we will miss our instructors and the hands on skills we were learning. Those skills were put to the test today as the company competed in performing various seamanship skills to see which member of Papa would receive the seamanship award. The rest of the day was spent performing uniform maintenance, and getting haircuts. We have also been quizzing each other on our required knowledge, getting ourselves prepared for Friday’s final exam. This test will be a combination of what we have learned here during recruit training and it can also mean another pennant for our guidon, something Papa strives to attain more of by the end of week 08.

10Dec09

Papa-182 began its day with a very informative class taught by representatives from the Work-Life program.  Many recruits with dependents had their questions answered, and gained a greater understanding about Work-Life and the things they do. Soon after chow we arrived at our second class of the day which was about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and self-examinations.  Papa spent the remainder of the day getting everything squared away.  We made sure our uniforms were flawless, that we knew everything we needed to know about reporting to our first unit, and most importantly made sure we were ready for our final.  Not only is it important to be squared away on the required knowledge of training, but a high average on the final would add yet another pennant to our guidon.

11Dec09 – 13Dec09

By the end of the weekend Papa is now marching around as the senior company on regiment, and even more impressively with three more pennants on our guidon.  The company successfully gained a combined average of 91% on the final exam to receive it’s first of the day. The second pennant we received for our company’s overall physical fitness. But the third and definitely proudest pennant Papa received was the Company Commander pennant. Not many in the company could have predicted in forming week that when week 07 rolled around we would have impressed our CC’s enough to have earned that honor.  It was truly a great day for the company, and a perfect way to lead into Saturday and our off base liberty. This weekend Papa also voted on who would receive individual achievement awards for outstanding performance academically, physically, and in leadership roles.

Though we are entering into our final week here at Cape May, we have to keep in mind that training isn’t over yet, and work still needs to get done.  We are now in the running of the Section and Battalion Commander pennants so Papa needs to keep itself at a high level of professionalism.