5 Things you MUST do to earn respect from your Coast Guard CC's!
In my opinion this is a very interesting topic to learn about before you join the Coast Guard. First off, I don't believe there is an exact "formula" set in stone for gaining your CC's respect in the Coast Guard. But I do know from my Coast Guard experience as a CC, what they love to see and what a Coast Guard recruit must do if they want to stay on their CC's good side. In this article I will briefly discuss some elements and characteristics you may want to work on prior to leaving for Coast Guard Basic Training.
1. Move with a "Sense of Urgency!"
Reigning in at #1 on our list is for you to be moving with a "sense of urgency." In the Coast Guard this means that you should be moving as fast as though your rear is literally on fire and on the other side of that building is a bucket of ice cold water awaiting your splashing arrival!
It means moving fast, fast, fast! How fast? In Coast Guard Basic Training it does not mean running or "double-timing" as we call it in the military. Its basically a speed walk!
But after grad in the fleet, you run! They basically don't want you running in USCG Basic Training because of injury issues.
But Company Commander's absoluetly love it when a Coast Guard recruit consistently moves with a sense of urgency! This is discussed further in my book, but there are certain places within the Training Center where if you move fast...that your CC's will brag about you to other CC's. That is where you want to be!
So just remember, move fast at all times and your Company Commander will surely recognize your efforts to stand out in a positive way. Also, remember that if you have been designated to be on "Light Duty" by the Medical Officer for an injury, that you follow orders and dont hurt yourself. It's not worth it.
Moving with a sense of urgency will also serve you well out in the fleet when someone's life is literally depending on how fast you move! That is why it is called moving with a "sense of urgency!" So let's move to # 2 on our list and find out what you can do to better gain the respect of your Company Commanders in Coast Guard Basic Training!
2. A wise man once said "sound off like ya gotta pair!"
WE WANT OUR RECRUITS TO SOUND OFF!! "Sounding off" means to not yell, but speak very loudly if that makes sense...
NOTE: DO NOT...I say again...DO NOT scream or sound off when your CC is right in your face or when common sense deems it inappropriate (after taps, church, during a test, etc). Use common sense on this one!
Are you whispering? Do you sound like a pansy? Because one thing I am sure of- is that if you want your CC to absolutely hate you- then please whisper to him/her. We hate it. It shows no motivation, no passion, and displays laziness. So please, do yourself a favor during your Coast Guard training and when the opportunity comes...stand tall and sound off! We like it...we love it...we want some more of it!
3. Keep your uniform looking "squared away!"
"Squared away" is basically a catch all term we use in the military for being a top notch performer. Generally its a saying that you got your stuff together in one particular area or in general terms. In this regard we refer to keeping your uniform in tip-top shape!
What does that entail? That entails ironing all of your Coast Guard uniforms whenever given time instead of shooting the breeze with your shipmates when you are suppose to be ironing and polishing your boots, aka "boon-dockers". How much time you receive for uniform maintenance in Coast Guard Basic Training really depends on who your Company Commander's are and how your Company is performing. This rule of thumb has always for the most part applied in Coast Guard Boot Camp:
Company wants to F around = Get in the grass and push in a puddle of your own blood, sweat, and tears!Company behaves, is clean, and doesn't embarass their CC's = Uniform time, letters, and more time being productive...
It's really that simple. I have had MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE of Coast Guard recruits that looked like they woke up, pulled their uniform out of a Pringles can and put it on. You wanna talk about livid? Ohhh....nooo....you didn't! You will for sure have time to iron your uniforms every Sunday during Divine Hours. Divine Hours is basically FREE time that will receive while in Coast Guard Basic Training to maintain uniforms, read/write letters, etc (NOT shower or sleep!!!) So in closing...iron uniforms, pull loose threads off your ODU's (lots of them will be there), polish your boondockers, shave, brush your nasty breath, and keep a clean rack! (bed).
4. Don't fall asleep in class!
The next best thing you can do to earn and keep the respect of your Coast Guard Company Commander's is to stand in the back of the classroom when you are feeling sleepy!
This is another topic that I cover in further detail within my book. But let me tell you that CC's despise when they are up on the stage teaching a class and a Coast Guard recruit is falling asleep. It is extremely disrespectful to your CC and it will buy you a one way ticket to the back of the classroom (read my book).
To be honest with you...a lot of the academic classes in Coast Guard Basic Training can be pretty dry and boring. So naturally your going to get tired aside from the little sleep you will already be getting. Remember that to us...an extended blink or even "doing the nodd" means your sleeping! Very bad thing for you to do. Simply stand up and your Company Commander will respect that...trust me.
5. Have integrity.
This one may be a bit touchy because we have all failed in this department. Me being the first of all of us. Was I born perfect? Will I ever be perfect? Of course not!!! I have made big mistakes in my life. But that will never stop me from learning from them and moving forward! I think its is absolutely sad when people point fingers and judge others based on misperceptions. God only knows the things they have done and one day it will come to light.
But having integrity is very important! How are you treating your shipmates? Are you talking in class when your CC is not there and then acting as though you are angel when they are? Hey if you are...then just work on it! CC's do not expect you to be perfect...and if they do...then they should not be in the business of making Coasties!
In the Coast Guard it requires evaluating yourself, learning from the past, and trying your best...even if you don't get caught. Do the right thing. Help a shipmate that is struggling to keep his/her rack in order or that needs help with Required Knowledge. That's what it's all about...T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K! Show integrity, always give your all, and learn from your mistakes.
I hope that you can all utilize these 5 tips that I believe will greatly influence your Coast Guard Company Commander in their perception of you as a person. I like to think of it this way..."it's not how you fall in the middle of the race....its how you get up and finish it after you've been kicked to the ground."
1. Move with a "Sense of Urgency!"
Reigning in at #1 on our list is for you to be moving with a "sense of urgency." In the Coast Guard this means that you should be moving as fast as though your rear is literally on fire and on the other side of that building is a bucket of ice cold water awaiting your splashing arrival!
It means moving fast, fast, fast! How fast? In Coast Guard Basic Training it does not mean running or "double-timing" as we call it in the military. Its basically a speed walk!
But after grad in the fleet, you run! They basically don't want you running in USCG Basic Training because of injury issues.
But Company Commander's absoluetly love it when a Coast Guard recruit consistently moves with a sense of urgency! This is discussed further in my book, but there are certain places within the Training Center where if you move fast...that your CC's will brag about you to other CC's. That is where you want to be!
So just remember, move fast at all times and your Company Commander will surely recognize your efforts to stand out in a positive way. Also, remember that if you have been designated to be on "Light Duty" by the Medical Officer for an injury, that you follow orders and dont hurt yourself. It's not worth it.
Moving with a sense of urgency will also serve you well out in the fleet when someone's life is literally depending on how fast you move! That is why it is called moving with a "sense of urgency!" So let's move to # 2 on our list and find out what you can do to better gain the respect of your Company Commanders in Coast Guard Basic Training!
2. A wise man once said "sound off like ya gotta pair!"
WE WANT OUR RECRUITS TO SOUND OFF!! "Sounding off" means to not yell, but speak very loudly if that makes sense...
NOTE: DO NOT...I say again...DO NOT scream or sound off when your CC is right in your face or when common sense deems it inappropriate (after taps, church, during a test, etc). Use common sense on this one!
Are you whispering? Do you sound like a pansy? Because one thing I am sure of- is that if you want your CC to absolutely hate you- then please whisper to him/her. We hate it. It shows no motivation, no passion, and displays laziness. So please, do yourself a favor during your Coast Guard training and when the opportunity comes...stand tall and sound off! We like it...we love it...we want some more of it!
3. Keep your uniform looking "squared away!"
"Squared away" is basically a catch all term we use in the military for being a top notch performer. Generally its a saying that you got your stuff together in one particular area or in general terms. In this regard we refer to keeping your uniform in tip-top shape!
What does that entail? That entails ironing all of your Coast Guard uniforms whenever given time instead of shooting the breeze with your shipmates when you are suppose to be ironing and polishing your boots, aka "boon-dockers". How much time you receive for uniform maintenance in Coast Guard Basic Training really depends on who your Company Commander's are and how your Company is performing. This rule of thumb has always for the most part applied in Coast Guard Boot Camp:
Company wants to F around = Get in the grass and push in a puddle of your own blood, sweat, and tears!Company behaves, is clean, and doesn't embarass their CC's = Uniform time, letters, and more time being productive...
It's really that simple. I have had MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE of Coast Guard recruits that looked like they woke up, pulled their uniform out of a Pringles can and put it on. You wanna talk about livid? Ohhh....nooo....you didn't! You will for sure have time to iron your uniforms every Sunday during Divine Hours. Divine Hours is basically FREE time that will receive while in Coast Guard Basic Training to maintain uniforms, read/write letters, etc (NOT shower or sleep!!!) So in closing...iron uniforms, pull loose threads off your ODU's (lots of them will be there), polish your boondockers, shave, brush your nasty breath, and keep a clean rack! (bed).
4. Don't fall asleep in class!
The next best thing you can do to earn and keep the respect of your Coast Guard Company Commander's is to stand in the back of the classroom when you are feeling sleepy!
This is another topic that I cover in further detail within my book. But let me tell you that CC's despise when they are up on the stage teaching a class and a Coast Guard recruit is falling asleep. It is extremely disrespectful to your CC and it will buy you a one way ticket to the back of the classroom (read my book).
To be honest with you...a lot of the academic classes in Coast Guard Basic Training can be pretty dry and boring. So naturally your going to get tired aside from the little sleep you will already be getting. Remember that to us...an extended blink or even "doing the nodd" means your sleeping! Very bad thing for you to do. Simply stand up and your Company Commander will respect that...trust me.
5. Have integrity.
This one may be a bit touchy because we have all failed in this department. Me being the first of all of us. Was I born perfect? Will I ever be perfect? Of course not!!! I have made big mistakes in my life. But that will never stop me from learning from them and moving forward! I think its is absolutely sad when people point fingers and judge others based on misperceptions. God only knows the things they have done and one day it will come to light.
But having integrity is very important! How are you treating your shipmates? Are you talking in class when your CC is not there and then acting as though you are angel when they are? Hey if you are...then just work on it! CC's do not expect you to be perfect...and if they do...then they should not be in the business of making Coasties!
In the Coast Guard it requires evaluating yourself, learning from the past, and trying your best...even if you don't get caught. Do the right thing. Help a shipmate that is struggling to keep his/her rack in order or that needs help with Required Knowledge. That's what it's all about...T-E-A-M-W-O-R-K! Show integrity, always give your all, and learn from your mistakes.
I hope that you can all utilize these 5 tips that I believe will greatly influence your Coast Guard Company Commander in their perception of you as a person. I like to think of it this way..."it's not how you fall in the middle of the race....its how you get up and finish it after you've been kicked to the ground."
What do you guys think about the article. Lets talk about this topic and really get to the meat of it...
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