Operation: Back to Basic. Thanks to all of you for sharing your Coast Guard Basic Training stories. We look forward to receiving, reading and sharing what it was like wherever and whenever you went to Basic. Just fill out the submission form to send us your stories and/or pictures. We'll be adding the latest stories at the top.

Posted: 05-21-08

I graduated with Tango-178 on 04JAN08 and can honestly say that basic training is a life changing experience. It makes you stronger as a person, both physically and mentally. It prepares you well for stress and pressure that we, as Coasties, undergo on a daily basis. Basic Training was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I learned lessons that I can keep with me for the rest of my life.

William Pless
Marquette, Michigan

Posted: 05-21-08

I graduated from Q-139 back in April 1992. It was tough but prepared me for what was ahead. I did a tour in Alaska. Then back to a small boat station in Indian River, Delaware. It also prepared me for thing we call life. Thanks. Always a Coastie!!!

Wesley Stonesifer
Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

Posted: 03-23-08

My journey to Boot Camp began in New Haven, Ct on May 1976 with 10 or so other new recruits. Everyone was so nice and pleasant wishing you the best and gave us some chits for food along the way. We stopped in New York and picked up a coupled dozen more recruits. When we arrived at Cape May and had given us a phone number to call when we got in. One of the recruits made the call but also made a very big mistake. He informed the Company Commander on the other end of the phone that a number of us still had some food chits and that they should come pick us up in an hour when we were done. We were all still on the bus while he was outside on the pay phone but we all heard his answer. Needless to say that was the worse night of my life. The Coast Guard was the best job I’ve ever had in my life and I wish I could go back and do it all over again.

Paul Fortier
Farmingdale, Maine

Posted: 03-20-08

My boot camp was K-14 June 1952 - September 1952. Sunday was a lay day, meaning not a lot went on. One Sunday lunch was cold cuts. For some reason, I didn't have any. Well for good reason, It was ALL BAD. Men were laying in the streets sick, medical personnel from all of Cape May County were called to the base. All who were not sick had to help those that were. Wasn't a good start for that week in boot camp.

Proctor Baker, Jr.
Hertford, North Carolina

Posted: 03-20-08

I went to boot camp (Delta 108 June 76-Aug 76) at Government Island, Alameda, CA. right after High school. I was only fifteen minutes away from my home. One of my shipmates could see his home in the Oakland Hills. There was many memories during those 9 weeks of Basic (1 week of forming).. The worst day was when during our fifth week on Graduation Friday, our company had failed the weekly barracks inspection. When we got back from lunch, our C.C. BM1 Hill had us break down our barracks, grab one piece of our bunks, one white sheet, and the wool blanket, and meet on the center of the Barracks area. Put on the white sheet like a diaper, wrap the wool blanket like a blanket, and carry a piece of our bunk to our afternoon class. All this took place in front of civilians attending a company's Graduation, and in 95 degree heat. I did 20 years with the Coast Guard and if I had to do it all over I would in a heart beat.

Danny Gutfeld
Golden Valley, Arizona