Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, June 21, 2019.
Transcript
[Announcer] Military music at Navy Band Great Lakes has a long, rich history. The first musician, a bugler, arrived in 1908 to the then-new Naval Training Center, and the band was officially established in 1911 when the first recruits arrived for training. During World War I, the illustrious John Philip Sousa led the band as he trained more than 1,500 musicians for the Navy. Today’s members carry on that noble tradition in the spirit of their motto, Pride in Service. With a wide range of performing ensembles, this talented group of professional military musicians appears in hundreds of parade, concert, school, public, and recruiting performances throughout a state area each year as the Navy’s ambassadors to the Midwest. The commander, Naval Service Training Command Rear Admiral Jamie Sands, is proud to present the men and women of Navy Band Great Lakes. (lively marching band music) (audience applauding) (regal marching band music) (audience applauding) (“God Bless America”) (audience applauding) To honor those who have served, Navy Band Great Lakes will conclude today’s concert with a performance of the Armed Forces Medley. As your service song is played, please stand to recognize your service and/or your family’s service to our country. (“Armed Forces Medley”) United States Army. (audience applauding) United States Marine Corps. (audience applauding) United States Air Force. (audience applauding) United States Coast Guard. (audience applauding) The United States Navy! (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (audience applauding) (David barks) The drum major for today’s concert is Musician First Class Aaron Deaton. And conducting Navy Band Great Lakes is Musician First Class David Drescher. Another acknowledgement, please, for their outstanding performance this morning. (audience applauding) (David barks) The parade of graduates is underway and will arrive at Midway Ceremonial Hall in just a few moments. Please make sure that all personal items are clear of the aisles and the drill deck. Guests in the balcony are reminded that standing along the rail is prohibited for the remainder of the ceremony. We know that your sailors will have many wonderful and amazing stories for you about their boot camp experience. However, at this time, we offer some video evidence that reveals our side of the story. (audience laughs) (mellow rock music) (mellow rock music) (upbeat rock music) (upbeat rock music) (“Anchors Aweigh” by Charles A. Zimmermann) (upbeat orchestral music)
Good morning and welcome to Recruit Training Command and today’s graduation. We are very excited to have all the family and friends of our sailors both here and online because you are about to watch the formal transition from recruits to full-fledged sailors in the world’s greatest and most powerful navy. As we honor the accomplishments of America’s best and brightest, we must also honor the family and friends of these new sailors. Without you and your steadfast support and devotion, this day would not be possible. Throughout our nation’s history, the secret to our military success has always been the military families that stand the watch at home and support their sailors. The Department of the Navy has made the determination that the men and women graduating today have what it takes, and that is thanks to you. So on behalf of the United States Navy, thank you for the support and care you provide. This celebration is not just for the graduates, but for you as well. Take special pride in what your sailor has accomplished and the tremendous journey they are about to embark on. They are our future. Thank you again for your support and all you do to keep America safe and strong. Enjoy this ceremony. It gives me distinct pleasure to welcome you to our Navy family. (dramatic orchestral music) (rhythmic percussion music) (sailors barking) (sailors barking) (lively percussion music) (“Smooth Criminal”) (“All of the Lights”)
One, two, three, four! (“Hey Ya”) (lively percussion music)
[All] Hoo-yah, go Navy! (cymbals crash) (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
State flags, carry arms! (rhythmic percussion music) (audience applauding) (regal marching band 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) (audience cheering)
[Announcer] Pennsylvania. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) New Jersey. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Georgia. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Connecticut. (audience cheering) Massachusetts. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Maryland. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] South Carolina. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] New Hampshire. (audience applauding) (audience whooping)
[Announcer] Virginia. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) New York. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] North Carolina. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Rhode Island. Vermont. (person whoops)
[Announcer] Kentucky. Tennessee. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Ohio. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Louisiana. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Indiana. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Mississippi. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Illinois. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Alabama. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Maine. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Missouri. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Arkansas. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Michigan. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Florida. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Texas. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Iowa. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Wisconsin. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] California. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Minnesota. (audience applauding) (audience whooping)
[Announcer] Oregon. (audience cheering) Kansas. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) West Virginia. Nevada. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Nebraska. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Colorado. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) North Dakota.
[Announcer] South Dakota. (audience applauding) (audience whooping) Montana. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Washington. (audience cheering)
[Announcer] Idaho.
[Announcer] Wyoming. (audience cheering) Utah. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Oklahoma. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] New Mexico. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Arizona. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Alaska.
[Announcer] Hawaii. (audience cheering) District of Columbia. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Puerto Rico. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] Guam. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] American Samoa. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Northern Mariana Islands. Virgin Islands. (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Announcer] State flags, order arms. And now we would like 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. (rhythmic percussion music) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (sailor barks) (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (sailor barks)
[Announcer] Please welcome Division 227! (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Sailor] Ready, two! (audience cheering) (sailor barks)
[Announcer] Division 228! (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Sailor] Ready, two! (sailor barks) (sailor barks)
[Announcer] Division 229! (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Sailor] Ready, two! (sailor barks) (sailor barks)
[Announcer] Division 230! (audience cheering) (audience applauding)
[Sailor] Ready, two! (audience cheering) (audience whistling) Today’s graduating performing unit is Division 933! (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Division 933 provides the recruit choir, drill team, and band for today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated. Thank you. Divisions, right face. Section leaders, fall out and collect outer garments.
State flags, carry arms! Forward platoon formation march! (rhythmic percussion music) State flags, order arms! Forward, dress!
[Announcer] Divisions, counter. March. (rhythmic percussion music) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Divisions, halt.
Prepare for review! ♪ At a normal interval ♪ Dress left, dress! Ready, front! Left face! ♪ At 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 the official photographers of Recruit Training Command. (regal marching band music) Division commanders, left or right face. Parade rest.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I’m Lieutenant Rob Griffin-Duncan, Recruit Drill Division Officer. I would like to welcome you to today’s Pass-in-Review. Today, you will see five divisions comprised of 334 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 the review commander and staff. The review commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s review commander is Seaman Recruit William Reyes from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Let’s give him a hand, folks. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Performing today is the state flag unit on their sixth week of training, the staff unit on their seventh week of training, and triple threat 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 227, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Derek Webb, Petty Officer First Class Stephanie Ramos, Petty Officer First Class David Nowak, and their recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Grayson Alamines from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Division 228, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Heather Devala, Petty Officer First Class Sean Porter, Petty Officer Second Class Jay Seymour, and their recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Casey Timpson from Pasadena, California. (microphone booms) Division 229, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jaden Sandy, Petty Officer First Class Dillon Gossman, Petty Officer First Class Carly O’Brien, and their recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Madeline LeBron from El Cajon, California. Division 230, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Robert Zarn, Petty Officer First Class Angela Howard, Petty Officer Second Class Christopher Sanchez, and their recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Demetrius Adkins from Cedar Vale, Kansas. Division 933, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Christopher Collins, Petty Officer First Class Kyler Carpenter, Petty Officer First Class Tiffany Kelso, and their recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Jewel Foster from Wrightstown, New Jersey. On behalf of the commanding officers 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 sailor just how proud of them you are. Once again, welcome aboard. (regal orchestral music) (sailor barks) (sailor barks) (sailor barks)
Honor Guard, halt! Left face! Order arms! ♪ At a normal interval ♪ Dress left! Dress! Ready, front! Parade rest!
[Officer] Divisions, attention! (sailor barks)
[Officer] Ready, two!
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of the official party?
[Officer] Side orderly, strike four bells. (bell rings)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command, arriving. (whistle blows)
[Officer] Order arms!
[Officer] Side orderly, strike four bells. (bell rings)
[Announcer] Bonhomme Richard, arriving. (whistle blows)
[Officer] Order arms!
[Announcer] The guests may be seated. (sailor barks)
Good morning, Captain. Honor Guard standing by for inspection, sir.
Good morning.
Inspection arms! (regal marching band music) (guns clacking) (audience whooping) (guns clacking) (sailor barks) Thank you for your inspection comments, sir. Right shoulder, arms! Close ranks, march! Right face! Forward march, left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left!
Color guard, parade the colors!
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise? Present arms. (rhythmic drum music) (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) ♪ O 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 rockets’ red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ O say does that star-spangled ♪ ♪ Banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O’er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Order arms! Retire the colors!
[Announcer] Present arms. (rhythmic drum music) Order arms. Chaplain Grooms will offer this morning’s invocation.
Let us pray. And Father, we thank you for the opportunity to come before you today to celebrate the great accomplishment of these now sailors. We thank you for their successful completion of boot camp here at Recruit Training Command. We thank you for their RTC’s instructors, facilitators, and staff that have molded and shaped them into our newest sailors. And we also thank you for their family and friends that are here today to show their love and support and to encourage them in their future endeavors. So as our newest sailors go forth, we pray that you grant them protection and the spiritual anchors of faith, hope, and love. And may their lives always reflect our core values and core attributes at everything that they do. And we pray that they would be men and women of character, who are competent and tough, able to perform under pressure, ready to get the mission accomplished, who are defenders of freedom and democracy around the world. So we ask your blessings on each one here with us today, all who serve. And God, we pray that you would bless this great country. And we pray all these things, amen.
[All] Amen. (pitch pipe blows) (“Eternal Father, Strong to Save”) ♪ Eternal father, strong to save ♪ ♪ Whose arm hath bound the restless wave ♪ ♪ Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep ♪ ♪ Its own appointed limits keep ♪ ♪ Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee ♪ ♪ For those in peril on ♪ ♪ The sea ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ 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.
[Officer] Divisions, report!
Division 227, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] Very well.
Division 228, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] Very well.
Division 229, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] Very well.
Division 230, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] Very well.
Division 930, all present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] Very well. All divisions present and accounted for, sir!
[Officer] 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, Captain. I present the graduating divisions. Request permission to commence the review.
[Erik] Very well, commence the review.
Aye-aye, sir. Parade rest! Sound off! (regal marching band music) (sailor barks) (sailor barks) (rhythmic percussion music) (upbeat marching band music) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (reflective marching band music) ♪ I am America ♪ ♪ I am the wheat fields of the Plains ♪ ♪ I am the warm Pacific rains ♪ ♪ I am the concrete and the hay ♪ ♪ I am the city by the bay ♪ ♪ I am the Southwest’s burning sands ♪ ♪ Burning sands ♪ ♪ I am New England’s forest lands ♪ ♪ Our native people ♪ ♪ And land, liberty ♪ ♪ I am as far as you can see ♪ ♪ O 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 thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ ♪ We stand, our colors facing you ♪ ♪ And stand we all in Navy blue ♪ ♪ In Navy blue ♪ ♪ Yes, we wear the white and blue ♪ ♪ America ♪ ♪ We are ♪ ♪ You ♪ ♪ America ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (guns clacking) (guns clacking) (guns clacking) (guns clacking) (guns clacking) (shoes clomping) (guns clacking) (shoes clomping) (guns clacking) (guns clacking) (gun clacks) (guns clacking)
[Team] Hoo-yah Navy! (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (whistle blows) (“Anchors Aweigh” by Charles A. Zimmermann) ♪ Anchors aweigh, my boys ♪ ♪ Anchors aweigh ♪ ♪ Farewell to foreign shores ♪ ♪ We sail at break of day ♪ ♪ 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)
[Officer] Forward band, one, two, three, four! (rhythmic percussion music) (sailor barks)
Award winners, left or right face! Award winners reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Captain Erik Thors, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command. And before we continue, this is always a good spot to let go of a little bit of energy ’cause I know you have some pent-up. Don’t get ahead of me. I’m gonna give you a chance to get some of that energy out of your system. So on the count of three, you need to scream, yell, stomp, clap, do whatever you gotta do to get it out of your system, but make sure you let these new sailors know how much you love them. So here we go, one, two, three. Let it go. (audience cheering) (audience applauding) All right, well done. That’s the way you do it, well done. 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 young men and women enter the profession of arms. Division 933 graduates today. They are the triple threat unit, providing recruit choir, drill team, and band. Please join me in giving them a hand for their outstanding performances. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Welcome to our reviewing officer, Captain Richard LeBron, commanding officer, USS Bonhomme Richard. I would also like to welcome all the veterans in our audience for their service to our country. Would our veterans please stand? (audience applauding) (audience cheering) I’m pleased to welcome the families and friends of these graduates who have come here today to share in this 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 whom 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 help 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 a 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 334 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 promotes 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.
[Officer] Forward, dress!
[Announcer] Captain LeBron will now present this week’s individual awards, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer, Captain Thors.
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Jones reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training, Seaman Elisa Jones, Division 230, from Gilbert, Arizona, 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. Seaman Jones receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Nicolet reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative, and loyalty, Seaman Grace Nicolet, Division 230, from Brookline, New Hampshire, is awarded the Navy League Award, which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Seaman Nicolet is presented with a commemorative plaque and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
[Grace] Good morning, Captain.
Good morning, Captain, Airman Apprentice Patino Flores reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] Airman Apprentice Alma Patino Flores, Division 227, from Houston, Texas, is the winner of of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit and the intent of the word, shipmate. Airman Apprentice Patino Flores is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Apprentice Howard reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Apprentice Markayla Howard, Division 228, from Tampa, Florida, 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 Apprentice Howard is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Timpson reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] The Military Officers Association Leadership Award is presented to Seaman Casey Timpson, Division 228, from Pasadena, California, for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Seaman Timpson is awarded a letter of commendation from our commanding officer. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding)
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Reid reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman McKenzie Reid, Division 228, from Greenville, South Carolina, 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 her at the pinnacle of today’s newest sailors. She is awarded a flag letter of commendation. Seaman Reid, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done, sailor! (audience applauding) (audience cheering)
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!
[All] Hooray!
Hip hip!
[All] Hooray!
Hip hip!
[All] Hooray!
I have the… I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our reviewing officer, Captain Richard LeBron, Commanding Officer, USS Bonhomme Richard. He enlisted in the Navy in 1989 and is a 1996 graduate of the University of San Diego, where he earned his commission. He also holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Florida. Among Captain LeBron’s sea duties are USS James K. Polk, USS The Sullivans, chief engineer on USS Milius. He was later assigned to Afloat Training Group, Pacific as an engineering plant inspector. Captain LeBron served as Special Assistant and Speechwriter to the Chief of Naval Operations and later to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, aide to the Commander at U.S. Southern Command. He then transferred to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe to serve as Special Assistant to the Commander. Returning to sea duty, Captain LeBron served as Executive Officer and later as Commanding Officer of the USS Benfold. He later reported to U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters as Director of the Commander’s Strategic Initiatives Group and as both founder and director of The Bridge innovation initiative. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm Recruit Training Command welcome to an outstanding sailor, Captain Richard LeBron. (audience applauding)
Hey, good morning and welcome. Welcome to the families and friends. It’s a privilege to join you in congratulating the Navy’s newest sailors. Thank you all for your role in shaping them into men and women committed to serving our nation. They’re America’s finest and have chosen to serve with honor, courage, and commitment now when our nation must show a strong global presence on the seas, beneath the seas, in the skies, in space, and, yes, even in cyberspace. First, I’d like to have a special shout out to the sailors of Division 229, sponsored by Bonhomme Richard. Appreciate it, good job, guys. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) To all our sailors, congratulation, you made it. But you made it to the starting line. You’ve been masterfully trained by the team here at RTC for the tremendous duty and responsibility you now bear. You’ve shown yourselves worthy and capable and have earned your title as sailors. Though your Navy journey has just begun, it is held fast through a tradition of excellence, crafted by sailors, and forged by the sea, which leads me to the three things I’ll talk to you about today, a dash, a tombstone, and a purpose. I’ll start with the dash by reading a part of a poem by Linda Evans, so here it goes. “I read of a man who stood to speak “at the funeral of a friend. “He referred to the dates on the tombstone “from the beginning to the end. “He noted that first came the date of birth “and spoke the following date with tears, “but he said what mattered most of all “was the dash between those years. “For that dash represents all the time “they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them “know what that little line is worth. “For it matters not how much we own, “the cars, the house, the cash. “What matters is how we lived and loved “and how we spend our dash.” You, sailors, are now defining your dash. What will it say? Well, you’ve made a bold statement by joining the Navy. Your dash will tell a formidable story. It’s gonna be woven into our history in the Navy, and we will know its worth, so make it count. Now about that tombstone, Admiral Arleigh 31-Knot Burke was a World War II hero, a destroyer man, and a fighting sailor, the stuff of legend. He also led naval operations during the Korean War and served as our 15th Chief of Naval Operations. 38 years he spent in uniform, and his accomplishments are many. But as happens to us all, his dash came to an end. His tombstone bears his name, birthdate, and date of death, but there is no dash. Rather, a simple word describe his dash, and that simple word is sailor. And that says it all. Of all his achievements, his medals, his battles won at sea, and even in the Pentagon, the one word that captured it all, sailor, is the same title you now bear. So be proud and earn it with purpose every single day. Honor Admiral Burke’s example and that of all sailors who have served honorably. Because a sailor is not just what you are, but now it’s also who you are. You are now sailors, 24/7. Whether you’re wearing combat boots or pink high-top sneakers, never forget, you are a sailor always. By the way, Admiral Burke’s wife, Bobbie, is buried with him at the Naval Academy grounds. On that same tombstone is a modest title defining her dash, one that embodies all the nights and days alone, the separation and angst, the sacrifices and tears, the deployments and the joy of reunions, and everything that comes with supporting those of us in uniform. It simply reads, sailor’s wife, which today means sailor’s spouse or parents or a number of other committed pillars of support, humble words that speak of a noble purpose of service to our nation by supporting those who uphold and defend our Constitution and way of life. For me, it’s been 30 years since, like you, I earned my title as a sailor, 24 of those as an officer and 22 of them with my sailor’s wife. It’s been a purposeful journey, one now being pursued by my son, a Marine, and by my daughter, a sailor now standing in formation with you. Now, it’s your time to shape your journey. Do it honorably with passion and humility, whether you serve for five years or 30. Define your dash with purpose. And remember what the late President John F. Kennedy once remarked, perhaps as he reflected on his dash and his purpose, “I can imagine no more rewarding a career, “and any man,” and I’ll add today, woman, “who may be asked in this century “what he did to make his life worthwhile, “I think can respond with a good deal of pride “and satisfaction, I served in the United States Navy.” Welcome to the team, sailors, and welcome to the Navy family, family and friends. Thank you. (audience applauding)
[Sailor] State flags, carry arms! Forward platoon formation march! (rhythmic percussion music)
[Announcer] Captain LeBron will now receive the salute of the graduating divisions, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer, Captain Thors. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. (“The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa) Please join me in one more round of appreciation for our wonderful musicians of Navy Band Great Lakes. (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Flags, post. Section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. (rhythmic percussion music) 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 of 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 hear this, now hear this! Liberty call, liberty call! Fall out! (all cheering) (people chattering)