Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, June 28, 2019.
Transcript
(audience applauding) (midtempo military drumming) (upbeat drumming) (xylophones chiming) (“Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson) (upbeat drum music)
One, two, three, four! (“Hey Ya” by Outkast) (upbeat drum music)
[Group] Hooyah! Go Navy! (audience applauding)
State flags! Carry arms! (upbeat military drumming) (audience applauding) (upbeat march music)
[Announcer] As the parade of graduates approaches, we salute the states and territories whose sons and daughters will graduate today.
[Announcer] Delaware! (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Pennsylvania! New Jersey!
[Announcer] Georgia.
[Announcer] Connecticut.
[Announcer] Massachusetts.
[Announcer] Maryland.
[Announcer] South Carolina. (audience applauding)
[Announcer] New Hampshire.
[Announcer] Virginia.
[Announcer] New York.
[Announcer] North Carolina. Rhode Island. Vermont.
[Announcer] Kentucky. (audience applauding) Tennessee.
[Announcer] Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana.
[Announcer] Mississippi.
[Announcer] Illinois.
[Announcer] Alabama. (audience cheering) Maine.
[Announcer] Missouri.
[Announcer] Arkansas. Michigan. (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Florida. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Texas.
[Announcer] Iowa. Wisconsin.
[Announcer] California. Minnesota.
[Announcer] Oregon. Kansas. West Virginia Nevada.
[Announcer] Nebraska.
[Announcer] Colorado. North Dakota.
[Announcer] South Dakota.
[Announcer] Montana.
[Announcer] Washington.
[Announcer] Idaho.
[Announcer] Wyoming.
[Announcer] Utah.
[Announcer] Oklahoma.
[Announcer] New Mexico. Arizona.
[Announcer] Alaska.
[Announcer] Hawaii.
[Announcer] District of Columbia.
[Announcer] Puerto Rico.
[Announcer] Guam.
[Announcer] American Samoa.
[Announcer] Northern Mariana Islands.
[Announcer] Virgin Islands.
[Announcer] State flags, order arms. And now we invite you to join the staff of Recruit Training Command in welcoming the graduating divisions with your applause as they enter Midway Ceremonial Hall and are announced in the following order. (upbeat military drumming) (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Please welcome Division 231! Division 232! (man shouting command) Division 233! (man shouting command) (man shouting command) Division 234! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (man shouting command) (man shouting command)
Division 235! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (man shouting command) (man shouting command) Division 236. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (man shouting command) (audience whistling)
[Announcer] Today’s graduating performing unit is Division 934! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Division 934 provides the Arrival Honor Staff, Honor Guard, the Recruit Review Commander, Adjutant, and graduates who provide support assignments for today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated, thank you. Divisions, right face. Section leaders, fall out and collect outer garments.
[Woman] State flags, carry arms!
[Man In Audience] I love you, Marley! (woman shouting commands drowned out by audience shouting) (upbeat military drumming)
[Woman] State flags, order arms! Parade rest!
[Announcer] Divisions, counter, march. (upbeat military drumming) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Divisions halt. (audience cheering)
Prepare for review! At a normal interval! Dress left, dress! Ready, front! Left, face! At a close interval! Dress right, dress. Ready, front! Right, face! Parade rest.
[Announcer] May I have your attention, please. For the remainder of the review, no one will be permitted to pass in front of the review stand, and we ask this as a courtesy to our reviewing officer. Photography is certainly encouraged, but we ask that you remain seated and off the drill deck. The photographers you will see on deck throughout the review are official photographers of Recruit Training Command. (dramatic march music) Division commanders, left or right face. Parade rest.
[Rob] Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I’m Lieutenant Rob Griffin Duncan, Recruit Training Command’s Drill Division officer. I would like to welcome you to today’s pass and review. Today, you will see seven divisions comprised of 491 sailors participate in their graduation ceremony and soon join the most powerful navy in the world. Please draw your attention to the unit positioned at center deck. They are your review commander and staff. The review commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s review commander is Seaman William Reyes from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Let’s give him a hand, folks. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Performing today is the Triple Threat unit on their sixth week of training, State Flags unit on their seventh week of training, and Staff unit on their eighth and final week of training. These units are comprised entirely of recruits. During their night of arrival, all recruits are placed into divisions of 88 personnel and assigned their division commanders. Recruit Division Commanders form the backbone of recruit training, and are the key individuals in the life of every recruit. Division Commanders must serve as counselors, disciplinarians, administrators, and military leaders. Above all, they must show themselves as outstanding examples of military bearing, appearance, attitude, and behavior. Each division also has a Recruit Chief Petty Officer. This is the senior recruit who supervises the divisional staff positions and leads the division in the absence of their division commanders. Now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce the graduating divisions, their Division Commanders, and Recruit Chief Petty Officers. As I introduce each division, they will raise the competitive flags they have earned throughout their training. As I introduce each Recruit Chief Petty Officer, the flag representing their home state will also be raised. Please hold your applause until all introductions have been completed. I will be starting from their right. Division 231. Commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer Brian Gorger. Petty Officer First Class Nicole Grieve. Petty Officer First Class Bryce Barrado. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Zachary Reed from Houston Texas. Division 232. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Adams. Petty Officer First Class Demarcus Barti. Petty Officer First Class Tanya Wright. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Phillip Simonson from Fort Meyers, Florida. Division 233. (audience members cheering) Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Michael Teeples. Petty Officer First Class Kyle King. Petty Officer First Class Julianne Boddicker. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Anthony Brost from St. Petersburg, Florida. Division 234. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Eliza Ochoa. Petty Officer First Class Adam McGuiness. Petty Officer First Class Anthony Frasier. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Celine Romero from Montclair, California. Division 235. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Demetrius Williams. Petty Officer First Class Cole Walker. Petty Officer Second Class Nivea Hobbes. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman James Berlow from Phoenix, Arizona. Division 236. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer David Beale. Petty Officer First Class Mina Nelson. Petty Officer First Class Andrew Barker. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Jared Gray from Sacramento, California. Division 934. Commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer Joseph Meadows. Chief Petty Officer Tequa Blackett. Petty Officer First Class Ryan O’Neal. And their recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman William Reyes from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On behalf of the commanding officer and staff of Recruit Training Command, we congratulate these Division Commanders and Recruit Chief Petty Officers on a job well done. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) In a moment, you will see the ceremonial sideboys, bosun, and honor guard take their places for Arrival Honors. This time-honored tradition is our formal greeting to this morning’s reviewing officer. When requested by the announcer, please stand for the Arrival Honors, marching on of the colors, the National Anthem, and the invocation. As a reminder, military guests shall remain covered throughout the entire graduation ceremony. And ladies and gentlemen, one final note. As befitting the importance of this occasion, our ceremony is conducted in a formal manner. However, we do encourage you to participate in today’s graduation ceremony by letting your applause show your sailors just how proud of them you are. Once again, welcome aboard. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (dramatic march music)
At a normal interval. Dress left. Dress! Ready, front. Parade rest. (man shouting away from microphone)
[Man] Divisions, attention!
[Man] Ready, two!
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of the official party.
[Man] Orderly, strike four bells! (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command arriving. (whistling)
[Man] Order arms!
[Man] Orderly, strike four bells! (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center arriving. (whistling)
[Man] Order arms!
[Announcer] The guests may be seated.
[Man] Sideboys, in! Sideboys, go!
Good morning, Captain. Honor guard standing by for inspection, sir.
[Captain] Very well.
[Honor Guard Officer] Inspection Arms. (upbeat march music)
[Captain] Consider it for custody, thank you.
Thank you for your inspection, command sir. (speaking away from microphone) Right shoulder, arms. Close ranks, push. Right face. Forward march. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left.
[Man] Colorguard, parade the colors!
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise. Present arms. (snare drum rattling) (pitch pipe whistling) ♪ Oh, say can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn’s early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed ♪ ♪ At the twilight’s last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O’er the ramparts we watched ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rocket’s red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O’er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪
[Man] Order arms! Retire the colors!
[Announcer] Present arms. (snare drum rattling) Order arms. Chaplain Khan will offer this morning’s invocation.
Let us pray. Eternal Father, thank you for life, freedom, for family and friends, and thank you for the opportunity to stand before out newest United States Navy sailors. Francis Scott Key penned the question, “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave “for the land of the free And the home of the brave?” I can confidently provide the answer to that question. Yes, our star-spangled banner freely waves. Yes, the flag of the United States of America stands high over this land of the free and the home of these brave sailors who guard it. God keep our sailors ever-faithful as they provide freedom of the seas. Keep this nation strong, and keep us always trusting in you. May God bless America, may God bless the United States Navy. I pray this in the name of the one who is the master of the seas and the master of my faith, amen.
[Crowd] Amen. (pitch pipe whistling) ♪ Eternal Father, strong to save ♪ ♪ Whose arm hath bound the restless wave ♪ ♪ Who bids the mighty ocean deep ♪ ♪ Its own appointed limits keep ♪ ♪ O hear us when we cry to Thee ♪ ♪ For those in peril on the sea ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-Amen ♪
[Announcer] Our guests may be seated. At this point, the commanding officer would issue orders and instructions to the unit commanders. Then, the unit commanders would face about and relay the information to their divisions. Today’s events show how orders are passed through the chain of command.
[Man] Divisions, report!
Division 231, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 232, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 233, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 234, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 235, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 236, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Man] Very well.
Division 934, all present and accounted for, sir!
Very well. All divisions present and account for, sir!
[Man] Very well! The Sailor’s Creed!
[Sailors] I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with honor, courage and commitment. I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all. (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, Commander. I present the graduating divisions. Request permission to commence the review.
Very well. (speaks softly away from microphone)
Aye-aye, sir. Parade rest! Sound off! (upbeat march music) (“The Stars and Stripes Forever”) (audience applauding) (triumphant music) ♪ I am America ♪ ♪ I am the wheat fields of the plains ♪ ♪ I am the warmest day of gray ♪ ♪ I am a ♪ ♪ I am the city by the bay ♪ ♪ I am the southwest burning sand, burning sand ♪ ♪ I am New England’s forest land ♪ ♪ I’m industry ♪ ♪ I am the loyal liberty ♪ ♪ I am as far as you can see ♪ ♪ Oh beautiful, for spacious skies ♪ ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain ♪ ♪ America, America God shed his grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown they good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ (triumphant music) ♪ We stand, our brothers, raising you ♪ ♪ We’ll stand, we all, in navy blue ♪ ♪ In navy blue ♪ (singing drowned out by music) ♪ America ♪ ♪ We love ♪ ♪ You ♪ (triumphant music) ♪ America ♪ (audience applauding)
[Man] Drill team, atten, (drill rifles clacking) tion! (drill rifles clacking) (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Drill Team] Hooyah Navy! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (whistling) (“Anchors Aweigh”) ♪ Anchors Aweigh, my boys ♪ ♪ Anchors Aweigh ♪ ♪ Farewell to foreign shores ♪ ♪ We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay ♪ ♪ Through our last night ashore ♪ ♪ Drink to the foam ♪ ♪ Until we meet once more ♪ ♪ Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Woman] Forward, in, one, two, three, four! (upbeat military drumming)
Award winners! Left or right face! Award winners reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Command Rick Smith, Executive Officer of Recruit Training Command. I welcome you to this morning’s recruit graduation ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, this is where our Navy heritage meets the future and where these you men and women enter the profession of arms. Division 934 graduates today. They are the staff unit providing Arrival Honors staff, Honor Guard, Recruit Review Commander, Adjutant, and support for the ceremony. Please join me in giving them a hand for their outstanding performances. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Welcome to our reviewing officer, Captain John Popham, commanding officer Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center. I would also like to welcome the veterans in the audience for their service to our country. Would our veterans please stand? (audience applauding) (audience cheering) I’m pleased to welcome the family and friends of these graduates, who have come here today to share the significant milestone with our newest sailors, the men and women of Recruit Training Command are dedicated to providing the United States Navy basically trained, physically fit, and sharply-disciplined sailors like those you see before you. They, and others like them, serve as the bedrock of our Naval Forces. They give our navy its combat edge, and they enable us to keep this nation secure. These sailors have successfully completed eight weeks of demanding recruit training. They have recently demonstrated their knowledge and their courage during battle stations. They have earned the right to wear the uniform recognized throughout the world as the symbol of freedom. This training group is ready to graduate and serve in the world’s most powerful Navy. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, 491 of the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command’s competitive system among individual recruits and divisions promote teamwork, attention to detail, and pride in accomplishment. Divisions performing above standards throughout their training are awarded recognition flags in five mission areas, academic achievement, military drill, compartment readiness, applications, and physical fitness. These flags are carried as a visible symbol of the division’s success. Each flag indicates that your sailors individually and as teams met performance standards in one or more mission areas. A division that excels in every phase of training qualifies for the Battle Efficiency Honor Division recognition and is awarded the Battle E Honor flag for this exemplary achievement. Division 934 (audience cheering) has earned this honor today, and we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done. (audience applauding)
[Man] Parade rest!
[Announcer] Captain Popham will now present this week’s individual awards, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our executive officer, Commander Schmitt.
[William] Good morning, sir. Fireman Reyes reporting.
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] It is our pleasure to recognize the Review Commander for today’s ceremony, Fireman William Reyes, Division 934, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Throughout his training, Seaman Reyes has exhibited great pride in naval service and has consistently demonstrated his potential as an effective leader. He has maintained a high standard of personal appearance, and excellent display of military bearing, and command voice. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, sir. Airman Lawrence-Wright reporting.
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training, Airman Josiah Lawrence-Wright, Division 934, from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has earned the Academic Excellence Award, which is sponsored by the Lake Defiance chapter of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Airman Lawrence-Wright receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, sir. Fireman Villareal, reporting.
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative, and loyalty, Fireman Alaro Villareal, Division 934, from Chicago, IL, is awarded the Navy League Award, which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Fireman Villareal is presented with a commemorative plaque and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, sir! Airman Sullivan, reporting!
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] Airman John Sullivan, Division 934, from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, is the winner of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit and intent of the word shipmate. Airman Sullivan is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, sir! Thank you, sir.
Good morning, sir. Seaman Barton, reporting!
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman David Barton, Division 934, from Portland, Oregon, is the recipient of the Military Order of the World Wars Award of Merit. This award is presented for meritorious performance during recruit training. Seaman Barton is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, sir!
Congratulations and luck in your endeavors.
Thank you, sir.
Good morning, sir. Airman Brisky, reporting.
[Richard] Very well.
[Announcer] The Military Officers Association Leadership Award is presented to Airman Shawn Brisky, Division 231, from Las Vegas, Nevada for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Airman Brisky is awarded a letter of commendation from our commanding officers. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Grant] Good morning, sir. Fireman Novinger, reporting.
Very well.
Fireman Grant Novinger, Division 934, from Milan, Indiana, is the recipient of the Navy Club of the United States of America Military Excellence Award for best exemplifying the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing, and teamwork. This award places him at the pinnacle of today’s newest sailors. He is awarded a flag letter of commendation. Fireman Nomniger, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (shoe squeaking)
[Man] Divisions, attention.
[Announcer] It is appropriate to recognize such outstanding individual accomplishments by these sailors with a round of three cheers. The adjutant will lead all graduating divisions in three cheers for this morning’s award winners.
Hip hip!
[Sailors] Hurray!
Hip hip!
[Sailors] Hurray!
Hip hip!
[Sailors] Hurray!
I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our reviewing officer, Captain John Popham, Commanding Officer, Navy Pay and Personnel Support Center. Captain Popham enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and commissioned as a limited duty officer in 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Among his duties are, commanding officer Navy and Marine Corps Element, U.S. Pacific Command staff, Aiea, Hawaii. Flag Secretary to the Commander U.S. Pacific Command Administration Department in USS George H. W. Bush. Flag Secretary to Chief of Naval Operations Branch Head for Surface LDO and CWO Assignments, AB Personnel Command. Prior to his current position, he served in the Navy Flag Officer Management Distribution and Development Office in Washington, DC. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm Recruit Training Command to Captain John Popham. (audience applauding)
Thank you, XO. Good morning, everyone. Family, friends, distinguished guests, most of all, shipmates. Congratulations to you, it’s an honor to be here, to be a part of this, recognizing the accomplishments that you have achieved over the last eight weeks. This is a very important moment for the 500 of you, nearly, but for the Navy as well. You know, the last boot camp graduation I attended was my own, and Ronald Reagan was president, the Soviet Union was still threatening Western Europe and the first episode of the Simpsons was about to broadcast, so a lot has changed in the world since then, but one thing that hasn’t changed is boot camp, and the reason for boot camp and really the way we conduct boot camp, it’s an eight week trial by fire. It’s meant to challenge you in every way. You’ve met the challenge. You’ve proven yourself worthy, and you are now United States sailors, congratulations. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) This was a hard test, but there’s a reason that’s it’s hard. It’s hard because life in the Navy can be hard. The Navy sometimes requires sacrifices, often times, sometimes large, sometimes small. But whether in the Navy or outside the Navy, you get out of life what you put into it. Right, and you were challenged here so that you would be forced to put much into it and you’ll get much out of it. But the challenges come with rewards. And Navy life can be hard, but you will be rewarded. Work hard, do the right things, and you will advance. You’ll be given more responsibility. You’ll be given more pay. But more importantly, you’ll become more capable, stronger people, worthy of your self-respect, respect of your friends and family, and the appreciation of your fellow Americans. It’s a very diverse group; no two of you are alike. But in the Navy’s eyes, it doesn’t matter where you came from, what you look like. It’s all about what you can do and how hard you’re willing to work and that you’re willing to act right, and you’ve learned a lot of lessons over the last eight weeks to help you understand that. One thing that you do all have in common is a willingness to serve in uniform. That was a huge decision that each one of you made for your own reasons, and whatever reason, it’s pretty awesome. Thanks for making that decision. (audience applauding) You’ve been through a lot over the last eight weeks. And that decision you made meant that you voluntarily gave up some of your freedom. Right, you gave up some of your freedom in order to serve your country. And also to build a brighter future for yourself. Very well done, and I will tell you, thanks to your hard work, the future that you’re looking for is now open to you. You’ve graduated from boot camp. You’re on your way, well done. This is my advice to you as you move forward. Commit yourself to continued sacrifice, and you will continue to see success. It is all up to you. So family and friends, thank you so much for being here today. Thank you for giving your loved ones to serve the country, to serve the Navy. Thank you for supporting them, and I will tell you that in the days and the years to come, they will need that support more and more. Team RTC, I can’t tell you how impressed I am, and I would just like to thank everybody on the team here for forging the next generation of sailors. You’re doing a fantastic job. Obviously, I could not be more impressed, as I’m sure everyone here is, at this group of young Americans, well done. And then shipmates, thank you for answering the call, and thank you for what you’re about to do for the Navy. I can’t wait to see it. God bless you all and best of luck, thank you. (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Woman] State flags, carry arms. Forward resume formation, march. (upbeat military drumming)
[Announcer] Captain Popham will now receive the salute of the graduating divisions, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our executive officer, Commander Schmitt. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. (upbeat march music) Flags, post. Section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. (upbeat military drumming) (audience cheering) Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall will be closing at the conclusion of today’s graduation. Please check the area around you to ensure you have all your possessions. For those families with strollers, please retrieve them as you exit the drill hall. Thanks again to each and every one of you for joining us on this most memorable of Navy days. And without further delay, now here this, now here this. Liberty call, liberty call, fall out! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (crowd chattering)
[Man] Congratulations.
Thanks so much for hosting this!