US COAST GUARD RECRUIT TRAINING

Cape May, NJ (May 2)--Recruits formup in all-weather gear on their first full day of "boot camp". Recruit Training, otherwise known as "boot camp" is tough, both mentally and physically! Its purpose is to prepare recuits for life in the Coast Guard. Muchof the training will take place in a classroom where recuits learn valuable skills such as first aid, fire fighting, weapons handling, practical seamanship, and general Coast Guard knowledge. They have daily physical fitness classes and spend time at thepool learning water survival techniques.New recruits meet their Company Commander (CC), on the first Friday of training. The CC has the responsibility to make a hard-working, efficient team out of 50 or 60 strangers. The CC will teach recuits military drills, which includes marching, handling the 9mm pistol, and showing them the "ropes" of U.S. Coast Guard life. USCG photo by PAC TOM GILLESPIE