Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, July 19, 2019.
Transcript
[Announcer] 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 bootcamp experience. However, at this time, we offer some video evidence that reveals our side of the story.
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.
[Leader] Forward.
State flags, order arms.
[Band] Hooyah, go Navy!
State flags, carry arms.
[Presenter] As the parade of graduates approaches, we salute the states and territories whose sons and daughters will graduate today.
[Presenter] Delaware.
[Presenter] Pennsylvania. New Jersey.
[Presenter] Georgia. Connecticut. Massachusetts.
[Presenter] Maryland.
[Presenter] South Carolina.
[Presenter] New Hampshire.
[Presenter] Virginia. New York.
[Presenter] North Carolina. Rhode Island. Vermont.
[Presenter] Kentucky. Tennessee. Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana.
[Presenter] Mississippi.
[Presenter] Illinois. Alabama. Maine. Missouri.
[Presenter] Arkansas. Michigan.
[Presenter] Florida. Texas. Iowa. Wisconsin.
[Presenter] California. Minnesota.
[Presenter] Oregon. Kansas. West Virginia. Nevada. Nebraska.
[Presenter] Colorado. North Dakota.
[Presenter] South Dakota. Montana. Washington.
[Presenter] Idaho.
[Presenter] Wyoming. Utah.
[Presenter] Oklahoma.
[Presenter] New Mexico. Arizona.
[Presenter] Alaska.
[Presenter] Hawaii. District of Columbia. Puerto Rico.
[Presenter] Guam.
[Presenter] American Samoa. Northern Mariana Islands. Virgin Islands.
[Presenter] 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.
[Announcer] Please welcome Division 251. Division 252. Division 253. Division 254. Today’s graduating performing unit is Division 937. Division 937 provides the arrival honor staff, honor guard, the recruit review commander, adjutant, and graduates who will 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.
[Leader] State flags, carry arms. Forward platoon, formation march. (rhythmic percussion music) State flags, order arms. Parade, left.
[Announcers] Divisions, countermarch. Divisions, halt.
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 the official photographers of Recruit Training Command. (stately music) Division commanders, left or right face. Parade, rest.
[Lieutenant Washington] Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am Lieutenant Washington, Recruit Training Command’s drill division officer. I would like to welcome you to today’s Pass in Review. Today, you will see five divisions comprised of 370 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. There is the review commander and staff. The review commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s review commander is Airman Apprentice Uzunov from Sedro-Woolley, Washington Let’s give him a hand, folks. (audience applauds) 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. Please hold your applause until all introductions have been completed. I will be starting from their right. Division 251, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Teresa Jacobs, Petty Officer First Class Paul Rice, Petty Officer First Class Anthony McGinny, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Isabella Lazo from Orlando, Florida. Division 252, commanded by Chief Petty Officer James Penai, Petty Officer First Class Victoria Anderson, Petty Officer Second Class April Peru Denai, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Ventura Hoover from Tampa, Florida. Division 253, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Christopher Youngers, Petty Officer First Class Ashley Anderson, Petty Officer First Class Christopher Piccolito, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Katherine Twisselmann from Tracy, California. Division 254, commanded by Seaman Chief Petty Officer Andre Sutherland, Petty Officer First Class Donna Flores, Petty Officer First Class Aaron Vanderhort, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Denise Wicker from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Division 937, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Ryan Graver, Petty Officer First Class Stephanie Hare, Petty Officer Second Class Jordan Ilbrick, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Ramilio Uzunov from Sedro-Woolley, Washington. 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 applauds) 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.
Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Order, march. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Honor guard, halt. Left, face. Order, arms. At a normal interval, dress left. Dress. Ready, front. Parade, rest.
[Announcer] Divisions, attention.
[Leader] Stage two.
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of the official party?
[Officer] Side orderly, strike four bells.
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command arriving.
[Leader] Order, arms.
[Officer] Side Orderly, strike six bells.
[Announcer] Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer System, US Strategic Command, arriving.
[Leader] Order, arms.
[Announcer] The guests may be seated.
[Leader] Forward, face. Side boy, go.
Good morning, Admiral. Honor Guard standing by for inspection, ma’am. Inspection, arms. Thank you for your inspection comments, ma’am. March order, halt. Forward, halt. Right, face. Forward, march. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go. Go.
Color guard, parade the colors.
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise? Present, arms.
♪ 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 ♪
Order, arms. Retire the colors.
[Announcer] Present, arms. Order, arms. Chaplain Fauchet will offer this morning’s invocation.
Good morning, everyone, let us pray. Father, the Bible says, “Give honor where honor is due.” Today, military personnel, family, and friends have gathered from all over the globe to honor the courageous young men and women who stand before me now. Just a few months ago, every one of them chose to leave the familiar environments of home, family, and friends to serve in the United States Navy. Within this elite maritime organization, they will experience a culture unlike any other. They will be trained in the most technological systems and tactics in the world. They will work and live with people from every walk of life, and they will travel the world abroad and see and experience things others only dream about. So Father, I ask your blessing be upon them as they step out into the greatest adventure of their lives. Protect them, and my son Aspen who graduates today as well, as they fulfill a purpose far greater than any individual could ever fill alone. Thank you for hearing this prayer. I love you and praise you, Amen.
[Audience] Amen.
♪ 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 ♪ ♪ 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 251 all present or accounted for, sir.
[Officer] Very well.
Division 252 all present or accounted for, sir.
[Officer] Very well.
Division 253 all present or accounted for, sir.
[Officer] Very well.
Division 254 all present or accounted for, sir.
[Officer] Very well.
Division 937 all present or accounted for, sir.
Very well. All divisions present or 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 fair treatment of all.
Good morning, Captain. I present the graduating divisions. Request permission to commence the review.
[Erik] Very well, commence review.
Aye aye, sir. Parade, rest. Sound off.
♪ I am America ♪ ♪ I am the wheat fields of the plains ♪ ♪ I am the warm Pacific rains ♪ ♪ I am they ♪ ♪ I am the city by the bay ♪ ♪ I am the southwest burning sand ♪ ♪ Burning sand ♪ ♪ I am New England’s forest land ♪ ♪ Fording the stream ♪ ♪ I am the light of 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 grace and hue ♪ ♪ But stand we all in Navy blue ♪ ♪ In Navy blue ♪ ♪ We stand the red, the white, the blue ♪ ♪ America ♪ ♪ We are you ♪ ♪ America ♪
[Group] Hooyah, Navy!
♪ 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 ♪
[Leader] Drummers, play one, two, three, four.
Award winners, left or right face. Award winners reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Captain Erik Thors, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command, and before we go any further, this is gonna be your opportunity to let these sailors know how much you love them. ‘Cause I know you got a lot of energy built up, and we get some rallied folks. So on the count of three, you’re gonna scream, yell, stomp, clap. Do whatever you gotta do, get it out of your system, but make sure they know how much you love them. So here we go, one, two, three, let it out. All right, well done. Well done. All right, 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 937 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 applauds) Welcome to our reviewing officer, Rear Admiral Linnea Sommer-Weddington, Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems and Information Technology, US Strategic Command, and our guest of honor, Mr. Jim Derwinski, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, Metra. I would also like to welcome all of our veterans in the audience for their service to our country. Would our veterans please stand? (audience applauds) I am pleased to welcome the families and friends of these graduates who have come here today to share 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 who 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 help 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 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 370 of the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy.
[Announcer] Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. 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. 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 254 has earned this honor today, and we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done.
[Leader] Parade, rest.
[Announcer] Rear Admiral Sommer-Weddington will now present this week’s individual awards, and she will be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer, Captain Thors, and our guest of honor, Mr. Derwinski.
Good morning, Captain. Airman Apprentice Uzunov reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] It is our pleasure to recognize the review commander for today’s ceremony, Airman Apprentice Ramilio Uzunov, Division 937, from Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Throughout his training, Airman Apprentice Uzunov 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 an excellent display of military bearing and command voice. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement. Well done, Sailor.
Good morning, Admiral. Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Great work, Sailor.
Thank you, sir.
Good morning, Captain. Seaman Apprentice Harrison reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training, Seaman Apprentice Glenn Harrison, Division 253, from Belleview, Florida, 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 Apprentice Harrison receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, Sailor.
Good morning, Admiral. Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Congratulations.
Good morning, Captain. Airman Malley reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative, and loyalty, Airman Michael Malley, Division 254, from Hazlet, New Jersey, is awarded the Navy League Award, which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Airman Malley is presented a commemorative plaque and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, Sailor.
Good morning, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Congratulations.
Thank you, sir.
Good morning, Captain. Seaman Apprentice Myrick reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Apprentice Devin Myrick, Division 937, from Simi Valley, California, is the winner of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit and intent of the word shipmate. Seaman Apprentice Myrick is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done, Sailor.
Good morning, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Congratulations.
Good morning, Captain. Seaman Gacad reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Marianne Gacad, Division 252, from Fresno, California, 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 Gacad is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Well done, Sailor.
Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Congratulations.
Thank you, sir.
Good morning, Captain. Airman Agyapong reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
[Announcer] The Military Officers Association Leadership Award is presented to Airman Vincent Agyapong, Division 252, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Airman Agyapong is awarded a letter of commendation from our commanding officer. Well done, Sailor.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning, Captain. Fireman Twisselmann reporting.
[Erik] Very well.
Fireman Katherine Twisselmann, Division 253, from Tracy, California, 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. Fireman Twisselmann, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done, Sailor.
Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, sir.
Congratulations.
Thank you, sir.
[Leader] 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.
[Graduates] Hooray!
Hip hip.
[Graduates] Hooray!
Hip hip.
[Graduates] Hooray!
I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our reviewing officer, Rear Admiral Linnea Sommer-Weddington, Deputy Director, Command, Control, Communications, Computer Systems, and Information Technology, US Strategic Command. She enlisted in the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program in 1981. Completing basic Russian language training in 1983, she reported to the Naval Security Group Activity, Misawa Air Base, Japan, for duty in direct support to national cryptologic operations. She earned a master’s of business administration from Meredith College, Raleigh, North Carolina. Leaving active service in 1986, Rear Admiral Sommer-Weddington pursued a reservist direct commission and returned to duty in 1989 as an ensign, special duty officer, cryptology, US Naval Reserve. Among her duties, enable Reserve Security Group units from Greensboro, North Carolina and Fort Meade, Maryland, she served as department head and executive officer. She completed a three-year active duty recall in 2002 as deputy chief of staff, cryptology for Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force. Following, she reported for duty with Naval Reserve Security Group, San Diego as operations and later, executive officer. Other duties include Commander, Information Dominance Corps Region Southwest, San Diego, Deputy Director of Warfare Integration Staff. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm Recruit Training Command welcome to Rear Admiral Linnea Sommer-Weddington.
Good morning, honored guests, families, and friends. On behalf of our Commander-in-Chief, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, and the Chief of Naval Operations, welcome to our United States family. The humbling privilege and honor is all mine to be with you this morning. How excited you must be and deserve to be. For today marks the end of eight challenging weeks with transformation from recruit to sailor. It’s kind of a big deal and something your sailor and you will remember and talk about for life. Therefore, hence forward, bragging rights authorized. Now to our new sailors. Sailors, some years ago, at Recruit Training Command Orlando, I stood in your shoes. Now a young admiral, it seems like yesterday. So I indeed appreciate your excitement to Pass in Review, your eagerness, and yes, even a bit of your anxiety about the unknowns of moving on to school and the fleet. Believe me, you are in for the time of your life, and I am envious. Though a young admiral, and I’ve only been granted a few minutes, so we’ll make the best of that precious time to offer a bit of advice, simple as it is. First, you have accomplished something of merit, so savor this day. Take pride in yourself, take pride in your uniform, and take pride in the job you will be asked to do for our Navy and country. Here at Great Lakes, you have learned the essence of self-discipline, commitment, courage, teamwork, mutual respect, and honor. Practice that formula daily in thought, word, and deed, and you will succeed. Second, our Navy is a team sport. Integrity and dependability are the heart of successful teams. Never ever compromise your integrity. Never and always do your job, regardless of what it is, to the best, absolute best of your ability. No matter what, be exemplary. Be a leader. Third, honor, courage, commitment, our core values. Integrity, accountability, initiative, and toughness, our core attributes. Surely you’ve heard about them. Our core values and our core attributes are not just clever recruiting poster, nor bumper sticker words. They are real. Our core values are the glue of our Navy. Our core values and core attributes guide, personally and professionally, each and every sailor, Chief of Naval Operations to Seaman. Trust in them. You are never wrong doing the right thing for the right reasons. Sometimes doing the right thing will require extraordinary courage, physically and morally. Always do the right thing. And if ever a doubt, our core values will guide your way. It’s a crazy world, our planet. Natural disaster and conflict is a fact of life. What may be peaceful today may be problematic tomorrow. And with much of the Earth covered in salt water, our Navy is always nearby, ready to assist, ready to deter, ready to fight. What will you young sailors face during your time in uniform? Your guess is as good as mine. But what I can tell you is you will be ready. Your shipmates are counting on you. Do your duty. To all, congratulations. Welcome aboard, shipmates. Thank you.
[Leader] State flags, carry arms. Forward platoon, formation march.
[Announcer] Rear Admiral Sommer-Weddington will now receive the salute of the graduating divisions, and she will be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer, Captain Thors. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. Please join me in one more round of appreciation for our wonderful musicians of Navy Band Great Lakes. Flags, post. Section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall will be closing at the conclusion of today’s graduation. Please check the area around you to ensure that 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. For the parents of graduating Division 937, please meet them at center deck.