Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!know!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!pacbell.com!pacbell!att!cbnews!military From: geoffm@EBay.Sun.COM (Geoff Miller) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Coast Guard Boot Camp Message-ID: <1990Aug8.030149.24976@cbnews.att.com> Date: 8 Aug 90 03:01:49 GMT References: <1990Aug5.042336.27897@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Followup-To: sci.military Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca. Lines: 69 Approved: military@att.att.com From: geoffm@EBay.Sun.COM (Geoff Miller) In article <1990Aug5.042336.27897@cbnews.att.com> scott@h-three.UUCP (scott) writes: >I'm considering joining the USCG Reserve. Over the years I've heard >a bit about what Army and Marine Corp boot camps are like (or at least >novelists and scriptwriters' opinions), but have no idea what to expect >in the Coast Guard. Anyone care to describe it ? What's a typical day like ? ----- I went to boot camp at Alameda, California, in 1978. All USCG enlisted basic training has since been consolidated at Cape May, New Jersey. Once you've been through the initial procedures involving your medical exam- ination and uniform issue, you'll settle into a routine that'll last for most of your nine-week stay. Up at 5:30, calisthenics, then breakfast and back to the barracks for a shower. Most of the rest of the day is spent in classes. You'll be learning a variety of things including the history of the Coast Guard, basic fire and damage control at sea, marlinspike seaman- ship (tying knots), types of USCG vessels and aircraft, an introduction to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, etc. There is also a daily physical education class, part of which consists of swimming/lifesaving lessons and testing. There'll be trips to the firing range, where you'll qualify on the M16 and .45-caliber pistol. (Boy, is *that* a loud SOB! :-) Also, you'll have to go through firefighting school. I don't know where the Cape May people go for that, but at Alameda they took us to the Navy base at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. There was a two-story simulated ship- board engine room, in which a fire was started with chunks of 2x4 and diesel fuel; you'll get to fight the fire -- from inside. You won't be able to see or breathe. Not fun. Finally, you'll make several boat trips during which you'll practice helmsmanship, towing another vessel, etc. You'll march everywhere you go, and you'll be subjected to the usual boot camp head trips, but the head games are no problem for anyone who's reason- ably mature. Most, if not all, of the boot pushers (drill instructors) will be "blackshoes" (non-aviation people), who are, ah, somewhat prejudiced against anyone who expresses a desire to go into aviation, as I did. Most of these people are boatswain's mates, with some quartermasters (shipboard navigators) and gunner's mates thrown in for variety. There'll be weekly inspections, and you'll be asked to recite various bits of information from your studies at random times. I've heard that Coast Guard boot camp is the most academically challenging, but I found it pretty easy, and actually quite interesting for the most part. Attention to detail is the key to success. Once you've finished your academics, your next-to-last week will be spent as slave labor in the galley (dining hall.) It's fortunate that it's only a week, because you'll be exhausted from getting up at some ungodly hour every morning and working late each night. At the conclusion of Galley Week, you'll be allowed to wear undress blues instead of the dark blue working uni- form. That's a signal to the boot pushers of your advanced standing, and you'll be treated better as a result. At this point you'll be given a list of available billets. Billets are chosen in the order of academic standing in your company. Of course, if you're a reservist or you've already made arrangements with your recruiter to attend a school, that'll vary somewhat. ("I'm going to the cutter Morgenthau? What kind of C-130 is *that?* :-) Geoff -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- Geoff Miller + + + + + + + + Sun Microsystems geoffm@purplehaze.sun.com + + + + + + + + Milpitas, California -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-