Always ready: Candid images capture the intense and grueling bootcamp Coast Guard recruits have to go through before they defend America's shores (10 Pics)

The US Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey, produces 3,500 Guardsmen annually

It is considered the birthplace of the enlisted corps and is the only training facility 

Seamen recruits go through a seven-week boot camp complete with water drills and fire simulations  

Photos from this summer's batch shows the recruits throughout training and ultimately graduating

Seaman recruits are drilled by company commanders in the mess hall while carrying food and drinks 

Seaman recruits drop into an indoor pool.  Recruits are required to swim 100 meters in front crawl, breast stroke or sidestroke

A company commander instructs seaman recruits outside the barracks at the US Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey 

Seaman recruits lift a braided rope above their heads during a drill while being instructed by a company commander

3,5000 Seaman recruits graduate annually from the service's only training center located in New Jersey

A seaman recruit fights a simulated fire during the seven week required boot camp. The Cape May Training Center is considered the birthplace of the enlisted corps 

New recruits are pictured reading at the Cap May clinic. Their mission is 'to transform the recruits of today into the Coast Guardsmen of tomorrow while providing superior mission support to our tenant commands'

A recruit is pictured receiving heat therapy on his leg. The training center's Facebook page says: 'Only four per cent of applicants are selected and those individuals are tested physically, mentally and emotionally for the honor to be a US Coast Guardsmen'

Recruits are pictured during classroom training. The projector reads 'Devotion2duty2017!' 

New recruits at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May's swimming pool. Recruits are required to swim 100 meters in front crawl, breast stroke or sidestroke.