Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, August 16, 2019
Transcript
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’s success have 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 music) (drum beat)
[Officer] Cadet halt! (upbeat band music) (“Staying Alive”) (upbeat band music) (upbeat band music) (“Uptown Funk”) (“Never Gonna Give You Up”)
[All Sailors] Hooyah! The Navy! (cymbals crashing) (audience cheering and applauding)
State flags carry on. (upbeat band music) (audience cheering and applauding)
[Announcer] Whose sons and daughters will graduate today.
[Announcer] Delaware.
[Announcer] Pennsylvania. New Jersey.
[Announcer] Georgia. Connecticut. Massachusetts.
[Announcer] Maryland.
[Announcer] South Carolina.
[Announcer] New Hampshire.
[Announcer] Virginia. New York.
[Announcer] North Carolina. Rhode Island. Vermont.
[Announcer] Kentucky. Tennessee. Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana.
[Announcer] Mississippi.
[Announcer] Illinois. Alabama. Maine. Missouri.
[Announcer] Arkansas. Michigan.
[Announcer] Florida. Texas. Iowa. Wisconsin.
[Announcer] California. Minnesota.
[Announcer] Oregon. Kansas. West Virginia. Nevada. Nebraska.
[Announcer] Colorado. North Dakota.
[Announcer] South Dakota. Montana. Washington.
[Announcer] Idaho.
[Announcer] Wyoming. Utah.
[Announcer] Oklahoma.
[Announcer] New Mexico. Arizona. Alaska.
[Announcer] Hawaii. District of Columbia. Puerto Rico.
[Announcer] Guam.
[Announcer] American Samoa. Northern Mariana Islands. Virgin Islands.
[Announcer] State flags order arm. 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 band music) (audience cheering and applauding)
[Officer] Parade right!
[Announcer] Please welcome Division 287. Division 288. Division 289. Division 290. Division 291. Division 292. Division 293. Division 294. Division 295. Division 296. Division 297. Division 298. Division 299. Division 300. Today’s graduate performing unit is Division 941. (audience cheering and applauding) Division 941 provides the State Flag, Color Guard, and Drumline Units for today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen you may be seated, thank you. Divisions right face. Section leaders fall in and collect outer garments.
[Officer] State flags carry arms. Forward into formation arms. (upbeat band music)
[Officer] State flags order arms. Parade rest.
[Announcer] Divisions counter march. (upbeat band music) (audience cheering and applauding) Divisions halt.
[Officer] Prepare for review! At a normal interval dress left dress. Right front. Left face. At close interval dress right dress. Right 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 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. (upbeat band music) Division Commanders left or right face. Parade rest.
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-In-Review. Today you will see 15 divisions comprised of 1,030 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’re Recruitment Commander and staff. The Review Commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s Review Commander is Seaman Recruit John Hensley, from Knoxville, Tennessee. Let’s give him a hand folks. (audience applauding) Performing today is the Staff Unit on their sixth week of training, Triple Threat Unit, on their seventh week of training, and State Flags 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 most show themselves as outstanding examples of military gearing, appearance, attitude, and behavior. Each division also has a Recruit Chief Petty Officer, this is the senior recruit who supervises individual staff positions and leads the division in absence of there 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 wave the competitive flags that 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 287. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Kyle Wilkes. Petty Officer First Class Richard Terry. Petty Officer Second Class Michelle Romero. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Ian Cardone from Bush, Louisiana. Division 288. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Joan Powers. Petty Officer Second Class Alexander Orchie. Petty Officer Second Class Mary Cabusso. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Bridget Broussard, from Crystal River, Florida. Division 289. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Scott Webber. Petty Officer First Class Peter Ken Gary. Petty Officer First Class Michael Smith. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Deante Saffle from Cleveland, Ohio. Division 290. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Michelle Dochen. Petty Officer First Class Chase Prescone. Petty Officer First Class Caleb Metz. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman, Caleb Gleason, from Oldtown, Idaho. Division 291. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Timothy Tapers. Petty Officer First Class Victor Callamanny. Petty Officer First Class Paulo Grifaldi. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman, Nathaniel Keller from Zachary, Louisiana. Division 292. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Christopher Elliot. Petty Officer First Class Todd Marriott. Petty Officer First Class Christopher Smith. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Zachary Facemeyer, from Vail, Arizona. Division 293. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Shawn Deason. Petty Officer First Class Gerald Warnie. Petty Officer First Class Adriana Ashley. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman O’Ryan Spencer Spier, from Lawrence, Kansas. Division 294. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Aaron Martinez. Petty Officer First Class Ashley Chan. Petty Officer First Class Joshua Ramos. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Nicholas Quadrosky from Corona, California. Division 295. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Noelle Diaz. Petty Officer Second Class Erica Hollins. Petty Officer Second Class Alexander Baker. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Bryce Baltiarra from Apache, Oklahoma. Division 296. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Anthony Amara. Petty Officer Second Class Nash Bothorn. Petty Officer Second Class Brittany Spry. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Jonah Miller from Eight Mile, Alabama. Division 297. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Brandon Thomas. Petty Officer Second Class Jasper Santilly. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Kenneth Willforter from Chester, South Carolina. Division 298. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Kyle Harrison. Petty Officer First Class John Wooten. Petty Officer First Class Jerrod Landry. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Evan Reed, from McIntosh, Alabama. Division 299. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Billy Coffins. Petty Officer First Class Courtney McClosky. Petty Officer First Class Justin Walker. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Steven Bond, from Walnut Creek, California. Division 300. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Justin Acklin. Petty Officer First Class Irish McDonald. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Morgan Baker from San Antonio, Texas. Division 941. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Precious Mulvaney. Petty Officer First Class Patrick Vols. Petty Officer First Class Nolan Mason. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Juan Villa Meltraco from Lilburn, Georgia. On behalf of Commanding Officer and Staff Recruit Training Command we congratulate these Division Commanders and Recruit Chief Petty Officers on a job well done. (audience cheering and applauding) In a moment you will see the ceremonial side poles posted Honor Guard take their place for arriving 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 arms marching on with the colors. The “National Anthem,” and the invocation. As a reminder those who are guests shall remained 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 cheering and applauding) (upbeat band music)
[Officer] Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Halt. Left. Left. Left. Step with left first. Left. Left. Left. Left. Forward march! Left. Left. Left. Left.
Step wide, left.
[Officer] Left. Parade right.
Left.
[Officer] Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Parade halt. Left, right. Forward arms. At a normal interval shuffle. Adjust. Parade front. Parade rest.
[Officer] Divisions attention. Attention.
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of the Official Party.
[Officer] Finally, strike four bells. (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command arriving. (whistle blowing)
[Officer] Order arms.
[Officer] Finally, strike six bells. (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Deputy Adjutant General Wisconsin Army National Guard arriving. (whistle blowing) (upbeat band music)
[Officer] Order arms.
[Officer] Finally, strike six bells. (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Naval Service Training Command arriving. (whistle blowing) (upbeat band music)
[Officer] Order arms.
[Officer] Finally, strike eight bells. (bell ringing)
[Announcer] Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare arriving. (whistle blowing) (upbeat band music) (banging)
[Officer] Order arms.
[Announcer] The guests may be seated.
[Officer] Up.
[Officer] Good morning Admiral, Honor Guard standing by for inspection sir.
[Admiral] Very well.
[Officer] Inspection up. (upbeat band music)
[Admiral] This your first time Officer?
[Officer] The first time, sir. Right forward up. All ways front. Right face. Forward march. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left. Left.
[Officer] Color Guard, parade your colors.
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise. Present arms. (drum roll) 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 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)
[Officer] Order arms. Retire the colors.
[Announcer] Present arms. (drum roll) Order arms. Chaplain Kwan will offer this morning’s invocation.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day that you have given us for this occasion that brings us together to celebrate the graduation of our newest and finest Navy Sailors. We thank you for your blessings of strength, protection, and health, that has allowed these young Sailors to complete their training here at Recruit Training Command. Thank you for the RTCs, instructors, and staff members. And all the great leaders that have worked very hard to instill honor, courage, and commitment in each Sailor’s day. Thank you for the parents and faculty members that have faithfully supported them and helped them get to this day of celebration. So as these young Sailors go forth to defend freedom and democracy around the world, and become foraged by the sea, Father continue to protect them, and guide them in your love, joy, and peace. May God bless you, may God bless America, and may God bless the United States Navy. I pray all of this in your holy name, amen.
[All] Amen. Eternal Father strong to save Whose arm has bound the restless wave Who bids the mighty ocean deep It’s own appointed limits keep O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea Amen Amen
[Announcer] Our guests may be seated. At this point the Commanding Officer will be issuing orders and instructions to the Unit Commanders. Then the Unit Commanders will face about and relay the information to their Divisions. Today’s events show how orders are passed through the chain of command.
[Commanding Officer] Remitters, report.
[Unit Commander] Division 297 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 288 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 289 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 290 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 291 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 292 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 293 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 294 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 295 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 296 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 297 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 298 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 299 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 300 all present and accounted for sir.
[Commanding Officer] very well.
[Unit Commander] Division 941 all present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well.
[Officer] All divisions present and accounted for, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Very well. The Sailor’s Creed.
[All Graduating 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 cheering and applauding)
Good morning Command, I present the graduating Divisions. Request permission to commence the review.
[Commanding Officer] Very well, commence the review.
Aye aye, sir.
[Commanding Officer] Seats please.
[Officer] Forward right. Sound off. (upbeat band music) (“Three Cheers for the Red White and Blue”) (audience applauding) I am America I am the windmills on the Plains I am the one who sing with grace On the lake I am the city by the bay I am the Southwest burning sand Burning sand I am New England’s forest land I’m in the stream I am the right of 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 thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea (upbeat band music) They say the colors may subdue But stand we all in Navy blue In Navy blue We wear the red, the white, the blue America We Love You America (audience applauding)
[All Sailors] Hooyah, Navy! (audience cheering and applauding) (whistle blowing) (upbeat band music) 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 cheering and applauding)
[Officer] Front paraders, one, two, three, four. (upbeat band music) Orders, left or right face. All men reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Captain Erik Thors, Commanding Officer of Recruit Training Command. And before we go any further I think we have quite a few folks in here that want some energy to release. So we’re gonna give you a chance to yell, scream, clap, stomp, do whatever you gotta do to get all that energy out of your system, and let these new Sailors know just how much you love them. So, on the count of three let it go, one, two, three, go. (audience cheering and applauding) All right, well done. All right, that’s the way we do it, well done, thank you. 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 941 graduates today. They’re the State Flags Unit providing the 50 state flags, District of Columbia and the U.S. Territory flags, Drum Corps, and Color Guard, please join me in giving them a hand for their outstanding performances. (audience cheering and applauding) Welcome to our Reviewing Officer Vice Admiral Matthew Kohler Deputy Chief in Naval Operations for Information Warfare. Our guest of honor Brigadier General Joane Matthews Deputy Adjutant General Wisconsin Army National Guard. And Rear Admiral Jamie Sands Commander Naval Service Training Command. I would also like to welcome all the veterans in our audience for their service to our country. Would our veterans please stand? (audience cheering and applauding) I’m pleased to welcome the families and friends of these graduates who have come here today to join and 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 and 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 1,030 of the newest and sharpest Sailors in the United States Navy. (audience cheering and applauding)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command’s competitive system among individual recruits and divisions promotes teamwork, attention to detail, and pride and 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 success. Each flag indicates that your Sailors individually and as teams met performance standards in a one or more division areas. A Division that excels in every phase of training qualifies for the Battle of Efficiency Honor Division Recognition. And is awarded the Battle of the Honor Flag for this exemplary achievement. Division 297 has earned this honor today. And we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done! (audience cheering and applauding)
[Officer] Forward rest.
[Announcer] Vice Admiral Moore will now present this week’s individual awards. And he will be joined on the drill deck by our Commanding Officer Captain Thors Commander Naval Service Training Command, Rear Admiral Sands, and our guest of honor, Brigadier General Matthews
Good morning Captain, Seaman William reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training Seaman Ronnie Woodby, Division 297, from Johnson City, Tennessee has earned The Academic Excellence award which is sponsored by the Lake Defiance Chapter at the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Seaman Woodby receives a letter of accommodation from the Commanding Officer, well done Sailor. (audience cheering and applauding)
Good morning Admiral. Good morning General.
Good morning Captain, Seaman Apprentice Selmeyer reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative, and loyalty, Seaman Apprentice Kalyb Selmeyer Division 297, from Greendale, Indiana is awarded the Navy League Award which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Seaman Apprentice Selmeyer is presented with a commemorative plaque and a letter of accommodation from the commanding officer. Well done Sailor. (audience cheering and applauding)
Good morning Captain, Seaman Luter reporting.
[Announcer] Seaman Benjamin Luter, Division 299 from Bakersfield, California is the winner of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit and intent of the word shipmate. Seaman Luter is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done Sailor. (audience applauding)
Good morning Admiral. Good morning General.
Good morning Captain, Seaman Apprentice Pitts reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Apprentice Paul Pitts Division 291 from Cook Station, Missouri 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 Pitts is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Well done Sailor. (audience applauding)
Good morning Admiral. Good morning General.
Good morning Captain, Tony Duong reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] The Military Officers Association Leadership Award is presented to Seaman Tony Duong Division 941 from Greensboro, North Carolina for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Seaman Duong is presented a letter of commendation from a Commanding Officer. Well done Sailor. (audience applauding)
[Tony] Good morning Admiral. Good morning General.
Good morning Captain, Seaman Broussard reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Bridget Broussard Division 288 from Crystal River, Florida, 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 Broussard, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done Sailor. (audience applauding)
[Bridget] Good morning Admiral. Good morning General.
Divisions attention.
[Announcer] It is appropriate to recognize such outstanding individual accomplishments by these Sailors with a round of three cheers. The lead adjutant will lead all graduating Divisions in three cheers for this morning’s award winners.
Hip hip.
[All Sailors] Hooray!
Hip hip.
[All Sailors] Hooray!
Hip hip.
[All Sailors] Hooray!
I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our Reviewing Officer Vice Admiral Matthew Kohler. A Native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Vice Admiral Kohler graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983. And was commissioned as a Naval intelligence officer in 1984 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. And Military History from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. As an intelligence officer Vice Admiral Kohler deployed worldwide supporting combat operations in numerous aircraft carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups. His early staff tours include U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Bureau of Naval Personnel, Joint Warfare Analysis Center. U.S. Special Operations Command. Joint Interagency Task Force South. Vice Admiral Kohler has served in complete interagency and combatant command leadership positions as an information warfare officer since his promotion to Admiral, including Director of Intelligence U.S. Africa Command. Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Fleet Cyber Command U.S. 10th Fleet. Deputy Chief of Tailored Access Operations, National Security Agency. The U.S. Navy’s Information Warfare Type Command was established during his most recent assignment as commander, Naval Information Forces. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in a warm Recruit Training Command welcome to Vice Admiral Matthew Kohler. (audience applauding)
Well, good morning everyone, and welcome. And thank you for that way too long introduction Captain. Allow me to offer an energetic and salty good morning to all of you. I think I really like that cheer we gave to our Sailors beforehand, but I think we can do a better job. So let’s try it one more time. Let’s congratulate all of our Sailors here, on three, go! (audience cheering and applauding) I think I’m picking up on just a little bit of excitement in the room, congratulations. I couldn’t be more honored to be here with you this morning. All 1,030 of the Navy’s newest Sailors and over 3,000 family members that have traveled from across the United States, and some from outside the United States to be here today. And I’m honored to be here with all of you on the sake of our Navy and our nation. I promise you this morning I’ll keep my remarks short and small. I was given 30 to 40 minutes, is that right Captain? (audience laughing) Okay, they gave me two minutes, and I’ll stay on mark, so start your watches. First, to the professionals of Recruit Training Center Great Lakes. The Division Commanders, instructors, and staff, I thank you and commend you on your superb, and very important work. For over a century RTC has transformed millions of civilians into highly trained Sailors ready to go forth into the fleet. This is hard, but vital work. So, Admiral Sands, Captain Thors, my thanks to you personally, and please extend my thanks to your support team. I would like to direct my remarks to the Sailors and their families with us today. To you, our newest Sailors, I say congratulations on your achievement. Each of you have made one of the biggest decisions of your life. From this day forward your life will be forever changed. Whether you serve your Navy and your nation for four years or 40, you will have achieved something that all of the citizens of our great nation greatly admire, but few actually do. That is to earn the honor of wearing the cloth of our nation, and serving it in a way that deeply effects us all. You have come from across our great nation. From its cities, its suburbs and rural areas. You have chosen to come here for many reasons and we revel in the unique capabilities each of you bring. But all of you have chosen to become part of something bigger than yourself. To wholly and visibly stand for something noble. In a world where words are all too often just a collection of letters you have taken action, and you have joined an organization that deeply lives by the terms of honor, courage, and commitment. You have joined an organization that certainly recognizes the skills of its individuals but values the success of the team. Where teamwork means success or failure. In a world that all too often brags about themselves we brag about our shipmates, we brag about our teams. I congratulate each and every one of you for persevering through the demanding curriculum here at RTC. You should be rightfully proud of your accomplishment. As you go forth into the fleet know that learning is a continuous process and you will continue to be challenged in ways you had not anticipated. But I know with the training you have received here at RTC that you are more than up to the task. And know that no Sailor does this alone. We all learn and succeed as team. The title shipmate that we use is one not given, but it’s earned and greatly valued. That team also includes your families. So I say to the family members here today and those who aren’t able to be present, thank you and congratulations. Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice in raising your daughter or son. Those who stand so proudly here today. And for trusting the U.S. Navy with their future. You have enabled their success and their sails achievement today is also yours. So again I’ll say, congratulations to you. (audience applauding) To each Sailor here today I am proud to have you on the team, and proud to call you a shipmate. The world will continue to present this challenge to us but honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to ensure our nation is safe. Again, congratulations to you and to your families, I look forward to seeing each and every one of you out in the fleet. Thank you, and good day. (audience applauding)
[Officer] State flags carry arms. Forward platoon remain standing arms. (upbeat band music)
[Announcer] Vice Admiral Kohler will now receive the salute of the graduating divisions. And he will be joined on the drill deck by Commanding Officer Captain Thors. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. (“Hurrah For the Red, White, and Blue”) Please join me in one more round of appreciation for our wonderful musicians of Navy Band Great Lakes. (audience cheering and applauding) Flags, posts, section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. (upbeat band music) Here is a special announcement for the guests of graduating Division 941, your performers will need a few extra minutes to return all their equipment. Please ensure that you meet your graduates center deck. Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall will be closing at the conclusion of today’s ceremony. 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 hear this, now hear this, liberty call, liberty call, fallout! (audience cheering and applauding) (excited people chatting)