My name is Chief Petty Officer Todd Hampton and I am the section commander for Whiskey 180. I am one of five section commanders, (senior company commanders) for Training Center Cape May who share in overseeing, supervising and enforcing the day to day operations of recruit training. Additionally, section commanders are each responsible for one of the barracks buildings in which recruit companies reside while in training. When berthed in our buildings, we are in their chain of command and ultimately we are responsible for their well-being.
On Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 I supervised Whiskey 180 recruits for the day and gave their company commanders the day off. As section commanders we commonly coach from the side lines, but I think it’s important to directly interact with the recruits, observe their behaviors, identify strengths and weaknesses, and provide some outside inspiration, experiences and apply motivational principals to boost confidence and morale.
Some of the activities the company experienced was their first off-base run where they learned to sing cadences. We conducted a close order drill (marching) routine to help prepare for their evaluation in week seven and we worked through some fine tuning for some of their drill movements. Probably the most memorable event of their day was the trip to the beach. We marched down to the water’s edge faced the ocean, and took in all its grace and beauty. Six of the recruits had never seen the ocean before this day. As I looked into some of their eyes I saw levels of respect, fear, anxiety and pride, the likes of which were unsurpassable and moving.
I don’t know if I’ll have the opportunity again for the direct interaction I had with Whiskey 180 on this fine Sunday, but I look forward to seeing them standing tall showing their colors on graduation day. Whiskey 131 was the company I graduated with in 1989 and we were a proud bunch. I’m happy to see that level of pride and devotion today in Whiskey 180. Train on and remember……… we’re SEMPER PARATUS!
9 comments:
How wonderful to see whiskey-180 through your eyes! It has been a nerve racking week for me to say the least. My only daughter is there and she is also the youngest of my children. Thank you with all my heart for letting us know that all of Whiskey-180 is holding it togeather and thank you for your support.Although she has seen the ocean on many occasion, I'm sure this will be the most memorable.Thank you again.
Chief Petty Officer Todd Hampton's words reveal a deep devotion to the mission of shaping the character of the young men and women who pass through Cape May. Our seaman recruit, scheduled to graduate this week with Uniform 180, tells us that he has loved the atmosphere there. Given the nature of the challenges of boot camp, this is quite a statement. We believe it is a testament to the caring, professional guidance of the Cape May TRACEN commanders. We also know that his training will positively impact the rest of his life. SEMPER PARATUS!
How wonderful to see whiskey-180 through your eyes! It has been a nerve racking week for me to say the least
keep training
Keep up the good work, stay together in mind, body and soul. Always be proud of what you have accomplished and stay strong. Keep the photos and blogs going they are our connection to our children.
your eagles family
Does anyone know if there is a limit on how many people can attend the graduation? We have quite a few people who want to see our SR graduate!
thankyou so much for the update on W-180. I am so thrilled to have found this page and cannot even begin to express the pride and excitement I have to see my son in a couple of weeks! I am so happy he chose to serve in USCG. What an opportunity for these young men and women to make a difference in our world! Stand proud!
Thank you again for the update!
PS
We love and miss you JJH can't wait to hear your voice again soon!
your mudda
We are so proud of you and cant' wait to see you at graduation. We are happy that you will be together with your shipmates. Stay strong, work hard and remember your family will always be there for you. We love you and miss you keep the letters coming.
love
xoxo
Mommy
I just wanted to say how proud I am of my big brother, and cannot wait to hear of his journey through bootcamp when he graduates. The updates and blogs ae wonderful and I enjoy reading them, it's nice to have an update here and there. Keep going strong big bro! Miss ya!
love,
your lil sis
My son is in Whiskey 180. There are no words to describe the level of pride I feel. Since he has gone to camp, I have only heard from his Christmas host family and Todd Hampton's words. Everyone has spoken so highly of him and I can not wait to experience his transition ot manhood the Coast Guard has given him. I understand the how CPO Hampton felt and I appreciate his blog. Thank You Coast Guard for what you have given my son, J.B, Matthews.
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