Surviving Coast Guard Boot Camp (Page 4)
Unlike the other military services, you won't get to fire the M-16 rifle in Coast Guard basic training, but you will get classroom training in the 9mm handgun, and you'll get a chance to fire the 9mm during week four of your training. The Coast Guard takes 9mm training very seriously. Listen to EVERYTHING you are taught. The slightest mistake in handling/shooting the 9mm can result in your being "reverted" in training. Another thing that the Coast Guard doesn't have that is common in other military basic training programs is a confidence (obstacle) course.
During
the fourth week, the training will consist of Leave And Liberty, Rating
and
Nonrating Duties, Classified Material, Uniform Devices, Vessels and Aircraft,
Performance Evaluations, and the Assignment Process. You'll also visit the
9mm
handgun range and fire the M-9 handgun.
At the end of the fourth week, you'll take "mid-term" exams, covering everything you've learned to this point. If you fail the exam, you're allowed one re-test. If you fail the retest, expect to be "rephased" to learn it all over again.
Also during the 4th week, you'll take your PT Test. If you fail this test, you'll be required to get up each day one hour before everyone else, and attend special training. If you then cannot complete the requirements by the 7th week of training, you'll be reverted.
In order to graduate Coast Guard Boot Camp, you will have to meet the following physical standards:
| Event | Male | Female |
| Push-ups (60 sec) | 29 | 23 |
| Sit-ups (60 sec) | 38 | 32 |
| Run (1.5 mile ) | 12:51 | 15:26 |
Swimming Test:
Tread water 5
minutes
Jump off 5ft platform into pool, swim 100 meters
About mid-week,
during the fourth week, your company will finally get its company colors. Up
until that point, your company wasn't worthy of carrying "colors,"
so it marches around with a bare guideon. To celebrate, the Company Commanders
take the entire company down the the beach! Unfortunately, it's not for a BBQ
and volleyball. While there, your company will do some serious Incentive Training
(PT exercises designed by sadists), for about two to three hours.
At the end of the fourth week, you will fill out an Assignment Data Card (ADC), affectionately known as a "Dream Sheet." This is how you tell the Coast Guard what assignment you would like. You request your assignment first by geographic location, then type of unit (i.e. Cutter, Small Boat Station, Patrol Boat, etc.) The Coast Guard has a priority to fill certain billets as follows: Operational Afloat, Operational Ashore, Operations Support, and finally General Support. Therefore, 85% of all recruits usually find their first duty station is Operational Afloat (usually a Cutter).
In the fifth week, the training will consist of Deck Maintenance & Painting, Survival Equipment, Boat Crew & Buoyancy, Coast Guard Terms Ethical Conduct, Personal Floatation Devices, Personal Finance Class, Flags & Pennants, Emergency Drills, Emergency Equipment, and Fire Terminology (Didn't know that fires had their own special terminology, did ya?) At the end of the fifth week, you'll also find out what your next duty station is going to be.
The week after that you'll get training in Fire Prevention, Fire Extinguishing Methods, Firefighting Equipment, Engineering, Watchstanding, Hose Handling Techniques, and Career Counseling.
By week seven, it's almost over, and you'll note that the Company Commanders seem almost (almost -- but not quite) friendly toward you. You're no longer a raw recruit, and -- by this time -- should be showing some evidence of self discipline. During this week, you'll get training on Heaving Lines, Line Handling, and the Coast Guard Alcohol & Drug Policy.
The seventh week
is the "biggie." This is the week of your final exam (and final
PT test for those who are in "remedial PT
training."
You
must pass
both
in order
to graduate. If you fail either one, you get one retest. If you fail the retest,
expect to be "reverted" to an earlier company to try again later.
Assuming you pass your final exam and PT Test, and haven't racked up too many demerits (excuse me, "performance indicators"), at the end of week seven you'll get an 8-hour pass to go off base.
The final week is a breeze. You'll receive your assignment, and do the paperwork to prepare for graduation and departure. You'll receive some classes on First Aid Introduction, First Aid Initial Care, and Preparation for Assignment. Finally, on Friday morning at 1100 (11:00 AM), you'll march in that graduation parade.
During the graduation ceremony, awards will be presented. The Coast Guard awards the honor graduate ribbon to the top three percent of each graduating company (standings determined by written tests, instructor evaluations, PT scores, and performance in practical exercises). Additionally, individual awards are also given for the highest academic, seamanship, leadership, best shipmate, manual of arms proficiency, pistol expert fire, and physical fitness achievements.
The Coast Guard is different from the other military services, in that all of the outprocessing (assignment) actions are done before graduation, so recruits are free to depart Cape May immediately after the graduation ceremony.
Above Photos Courtesy of United States Coast Guard
