Coast Guard Journal Entry- October 22

NOVEMBER 180 TRAINING WEEK 3
16OCTØ8:
There was one lesson that November learned today, and that is to not be a "Dirty Bird." A "Dirty Bird" is someone who keeps dirty laundry in their racks. This lesson came to be when the company commanders had a surprise rack inspection. The racks were chosen at random, so it was pretty much luck of the draw as to who got hit. There are probably more "Dirty Birds" scattered about November company, but hopefully they learned from their shipmates. The punishment for being a "Dirty Bird" is that you have to carry you dirty laundry around with you at all times, you lose respect and most of all you look dumb. Even though the inspections really lowered the morale of the company, it was needed. Too many shipmates still have their head in the "dark place" and hopefully this helped. Hopefully it did, because it's about that time for reversions to begin.
17OCTØ8:
Today, November was kind of a shipwreck. Nothing came together correctly, not even once. While marching around the regiment, no one could stay in line with each other. This resulted in a punishment that was more embarrassing than anything else. We had to hold our arms up to keep the correct spacing and shout "Left" as our left foot hit the deck. This is a training tool that forming companies use, and November is almost in week Ø4, to be using tools like this is a bad sign. After that, November had rucksack (backpack) inspections. There is a long list of things that aren't allowed to be in the rucksack such as trash, LETTERS, dirty clothes, etc. The process of a rucksack inspection consists of having all the contents poured out and then inspected, simple enough. A lot of trash, more dirty laundry, and LETTERS were found. Just a tip from an insider, never keep letters anywhere, except for you personal ditty bag. Also, never write something incriminating and then leave it loose, outside of an envelope. As a result of November's less than desirable performance, clean up time was taken away and incentive training was enforce upon some other shipmates. Week Ø4 is rapidly approaching, November really needs to get it together.
19OCTØ8:
Divine hours are the one time a week when Coast Guard Recruits have time to themselves. During this time, which is now, shipmates are ironing, shining boondockers, studying, or writing letters. Today, shipmate Mills submitted a poem:

November-18Ø
Stay the course November,
Keep going with strength and pride.
The road is rough to graduation,
But fulfilling with time.
Sound off loud November,
And always march with pride.
Remember the days are long,
But the weeks fly by.
-By SR Mills, J. D.