Seaman Taylor Bell earns Coast Guard Honor Graduate for boot camp company Papa-200

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Kearney | Seaman Taylor Bell is selected as the Honor Graduate for recruit company Papa-200 as they complete basic training at U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, June 11, 2021. The Coast Guard's goal is providing the right people, with the right competencies and experience, to the right place, at the right time in order to accomplish our missions, while continually developing our workforce through superb leadership. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney)  

CAPE MAY, NJ, UNITED STATES

06.11.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Kearney 

U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May

CAPE MAY, N.J. – Seaman Taylor Bell from Hoover, Alabama, earned the title of Honor Graduate after graduating from the U.S. Coast Guard’s 8-week basic training at Training Center Cape May, June 11, 2021.

Bell was presented a plaque on behalf of the Navy League that is presented to the recruit who has the highest final overall standing. Bell is authorized to wear the Coast Guard Honor Graduate Ribbon.

Capt. Kathy Felger, the commanding officer of Training Center Cape May, presided over the ceremony and advancement of the 76 graduates of Recruit Company Papa-200. Training at boot camp is difficult, and approximately 20% of recruits do not graduate with their original company.

“I made a promise to my fellow shipmates that I would do everything in my power to help them out along the way in boot camp,” said Bell. “I owe this honor to them for allowing me to grow as a person and help them at the same time.”

Bell will be stationed at U.S. Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Bell’s company earned multiple awards during their seven weeks of training, such as the marksmanship pennant. Papa-200 also earned the company commander and section commander pennant.

Bell is the son of Butch and Janet Bell, and graduated from Spain Park High School in 2010.

Training Center Cape May is the fifth largest base in the Coast Guard and the sole accession point for the entire enlisted workforce. It is considered the birthplace of the enlisted corps or the Coast Guard’s Hometown.

Training Center Cape May’s mission is to transform the recruits of today into the Coast Guardsmen of tomorrow.

• Date Taken: 06.11.2021
• Date Posted: 06.11.2021 13:47
• Story ID: 398706
• Location: CAPE MAY, NJ, US
• Hometown: HOOVER, AL, US