Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, August 23, 2019.
Transcript
Good morning, and welcome to Recruit Training Command, and today’s graduation. We are very excited to have all of 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 to 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’s 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. (snare drums) (Heathens by 21 Pilots instrumental) (Despacito by Luis Fonsi instrumental) (drumming) (Survivor by Destiny’s Child instrumental) (yelling) (applause) (drumming)
[Male Announcer] As the marine graduate approaches, the states and territories, whose sons and daughters will graduate today.
[Female Announcer] Delaware.
[Male Announcer] Pennsylvania. New Jersey.
[Female Announcer] Georgia. Connecticut. Massachusetts.
[Male Announcer] Maryland.
[Female Announcer] South Carolina.
[Male Announcer] New Hampshire.
[Female Announcer] Virginia. New York.
[Male Announcer] North Carolina. Rhode Island. Vermont.
[Female Announcer] Kentucky. Tennessee. Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana.
[Male Announcer] Mississippi.
[Female Announcer] Illinois. Alabama. Maine. Missouri.
[Male Announcer] Arkansas. Michigan.
[Female Announcer] Florida. Texas. Iowa. Wisconsin.
[Male Announcer] California. Minnesota.
[Female Announcer] Oregon. Kansas. West Virginia. Nevada. Nebraska.
[Male Announcer] Colorado. North Dakota.
[Female Announcer] South Dakota. Montana. Washington.
[Male Announcer] Idaho.
[Female Announcer] Wyoming. Utah.
[Male Announcer] Oklahoma.
[Female Announcer] New Mexico. Arizona.
[Male Announcer] Alaska.
[Female Announcer] Hawaii. District of Colombia. Puerto Rico.
[Male Announcer] Guam.
[Female Announcer] American Samoa. Northern Mariana Islands. Virgin Islands.
[Male Announcer] State Lands 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. (drumming) (applause)
[Female Announcer] Please welcome Division three zero one (crowd cheering drowns out speaker) (applause) Division three zero two (cheering) Division three zero three (cheering) Division three zero four (cheering) (drumming)
[Female Announcer] Divisions halt.
[Male Announcer] Prepare for review. At a normal interval, dress. Ready, front left, face. At close interval, dress right, dress. Ready front. Right face. Rest. – [Female 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 of the drill deck. The photographers you will see on deck throughout the review are the official photographers of the Crew Training Command. (dramatic instrumental music)
[Female Announcer] Division Commanders. Left or right face. Parade rest.
[Male Announcer] Ladies and gentleman good morning. I am Lieutenant Rob Griffindunkin, Recruit Training Command’s drill division officer. I would like to welcome you to today’s passing review. Today you will see five divisions, comprised of 356 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 Seamen Recruit John Hensley from Knoxville, Tennessee. Let’s give him a hand folks. (Applause) Preforming today is the state flags 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 and 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, that 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 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 three zero one. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Edwin Farnby. Petty Officer First Class Aaron Dawn. Petty Officer First Class Jessica Ruiz Dimeglio. And their recruit chief petty officer, Seamen Peter Flores from Baltimore, Maryland. Division three zero two. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Richard Leves. Petty Officer First Class Jared Kevalin. Petty Officer First Class Heather Bonamiko. And their Recruit chief petty officer, Seamen Zachary Kerns from Goodview, Virginia. Division three zero three. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jaden Sandeen. Petty Officer First Class Frion Talo. Petty Officer Second Class Nathaniel Post. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seamen Karen Kane, from Miami, Florida. Division three zero four. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jeremiah Wieterhoft. Petty Officer First Class Yung Fan. Petty Officer Second Class Gillian Burke. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Mariah Kinny, from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Division Nine Four Two Commanded by Chief Petty Officer James Clinton. Petty Officer First Class Carl Kraft. Petty Officer Second Class Jessica Moscaro. And their recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Rosalind Trotter from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. 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. (applause) In a moment, you will see the ceremonial side boards hoisten 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 onto the colors, the national anthem, and the invitation. 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’s just how proud of them you are. Once again, welcome aboard. (applause) (patriotic orchestra music) (shouting naval commands) Attention!
[Female Announcer] Will the guests please raise, and remain standing for the arrival of the official party. (shouting naval command) (bell ringing)
[Female Announcer] Recruit training command, arriving. (whistle blowing)
[Officer] Order, Arms! (shouting naval command) (bell ringing)
[Female Announcer] Naval service training command, arriving. (whistle blowing) (lively orchestral music)
[Officer] Order, arms. (shouting naval command) (bell ringing)
[Female Announcer] The honorable, Sean Casten, Illinois 6th Congressional District, arriving. (whistle blowing) (lively orchestral music)
[Officer] Order, arms.
[Female Announcer] The guests may be seated. (shouting naval commands) (lively orchestral music) (shouting naval commands)
[Officer] Forward march! (shouting naval command)
[Female Announcer] Will the guests please raise. Present arms. (drum roll) (The Star-Spangled Banner) 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?
[Officer] Order, arms. Retire the pillars!
[Female Announcer] Present arms. (drum roll)
[Female Announcer] Order, arms. Chaplain Ray will offer this morning’s invocation.
[Chaplain Ray] Let us pray. Almighty God, we pause this morning to recognize your presence with us, and to give you our thanks and praise. It is with great delight that we gather as family and friends, to celebrate the accomplishments of these, the newest sailors in the world’s most powerful Navy. These men and women have stepped forward, to heed the call to service, they have been tested here on the grounds of recruit training command, and they have been found worthy to wear the cloth of our nation. As they go forth into the future, traveling the expanses of sea and sky, to defend freedom, and promote democracy around the world. Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night. And embolden them to perform their duties with honor, with courage, and with commitment. That they may faithfully serve you, our nation, and the common good. May they and may we all, be your servants, now and always. Amen. Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm does bind the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. Amen, Amen
[Female Announcer] Our guests may be seated. At this point, the commanding officer will issue orders and instructions to the unit commanders, then the unit commanders will face the vow, and relay the information to their divisions. Today’s events show how orders are passed through the chain of command.
[Officer] Divisions, report. (divisions reporting)
All divisions present or accounted for sir.
Very well. The sailors heave! (sailors shouting) (applause)
Good morning captain. I present the graduating divisions, request permission to commence the review.
Very well.
Aye aye sir.
Be seated please. (shouting naval command) (Star Spangled Banner Instrumental) (applause)
(patriotic instrumental) (patriotic naval song) I am the wheat fields of the plains I am the city by the bay 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
(patriotic naval song) The family of the navy blue We are you (applause) (shouting) (applause) (whistle blowing)
(patriotic instrumental 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. (applause) (shouting naval commands) (drum line) (shouting naval commands)
Good morning, I am captain Eric Thorse, Commanding officer of recruit training command. And we’d like to start off with a little bit of energy, I think we’ve got about 1500 family members, so I think we’ve got a lot of pent up angst, so we’re going to let you get it out. I’m going to give you a count of three, and then I want you to let these sailors know how much you love them by screaming, clapping, stomping, do whatever you’ve gotta do, but let’s get it out of your system. So here we go, one two, three, let it go. (wild applause and screaming)
Well done. That’s the way you do it. 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 nine four two 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. (applause)
Welcome to our reviewing officer, the honorable Sean Casten, Illinois Sixth District, and Rear Admiral Jamie Sands, commander of Naval Training Service Command. I would also like to welcome all the veterans in our audience for their service to our country. Would our veterans please stand? (applause)
I am 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 who you see before you. They, and others like them service the bedrock of our naval forces. They give our Navy it’s combat edge, and they enable us to help keep this nation secure. The sea 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 356 of the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy. (applause)
[Female Announcer] Recruit Training commands’ 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 training, and has earned the highest overall score, will be recognized today for this exemplary achievement. Division nine four two has earned this honor today. And we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done. (applause) (shouting naval commands)
[Female Announcer] Representative Casten will now present this week’s individual awards, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer Captain Thorse, and Commander Naval Service Training Command, Rear Admiral Sands. For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training, Fireman Brock Wire, division three zero two, from Kaiser Oregon, 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. Fireman Wire receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done sailor. (applause)
[Female Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative and loyalty, fireman Evan Cropcreader, division three zero four, from Arlington, Washington, is awarded the Navy League award, which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Fireman Cropcreader is presented with the commemorative plaque, and a letter of combination from the commanding officer. Well done sailor. (applause)
[Female Announcer] Airman Michael Kerna, division three zero two, from Plainfield, Illinois, is the winner of the United Service Organization award for best exemplifying the spirit and intent of the word shipmate. Airman Kerna is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done sailor. (applause)
[Female Announcer] Fireman Freedom (mumbling), division three zero three, from Seminole, Oklahoma, is the recipient of the military order of the world wars award of merit. This award is presented for merit performance during recruit training. Fireman is presented with a commemorative plaque, from the military order of the world wars. Well done Sailor! (applause)
[Female Announcer] The military officers association leadership award is presented to Seamen Anastasia Kennedy, division nine four two, from Aransas Pass, Texas. For demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism, Seamen Kennedy is presented a letter of combination for her commanding officer. Well done sailor. (applause)
[Female Announcer] Seaman Mckenna Brotman, Division three zero three, form Frederick, Illinois, 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 plaque letter of combination. Seaman Brotman, the staff of recruit training command, salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done Sailor. (applause)
[Officer] Divisions, attention.
[Female Announcer] It is appropriate to recognize such outstanding individual accomplishments by these sailors with a round of three cheers. Lee Ashton will lead all graduating divisions in three cheers for this mornings award winners.
Hip Hip
[Sailors] Hooray
Hip Hip
[Sailors] Hooray
Hip Hip
[Sailors] Hooray
I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our reviewing officer, the honorable Sean Casten, Illinois Sixth District. Sean Casten represents Illinois’ Sixth Congressional District, located in the suburbs of West Chicago, and is serving as a freshman in the 116th Congress. In Congress, Casten currently serves as the House financial services committee, the science space and technology committee, the select climate crisis committee, and is a co-chair on the new dems climate change task force. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in molecular biology and biochemistry from Middlebury College, and a master of engineering management, and a master of science in biochemical engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. During his career, Casten worked as, President and CEO of Turbosteam Corporation. Co-founder of recycled energy department, founding chairman of the northeast CHP Initiative. Casten has authored a number of articles on clean energy technologies, and the United States electricity grid, as well as energy policies and regulation. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm recruit training command welcome to the honorable Sean Casten. (applause)
Good morning. It is truly my privilege to be here today, and in a privilege to welcome these sailors into the world’s finest navy. For over a century, naval great lakes has transformed over 3 million civilians into highly trained sailors. And I know that every one of you is proud and knows about the legacy that you are joining. But I want to take a moment and thank you for what an elite corps that you are joining. 3 million is a big number, but there is 300 million Americans today who depend on the service that you offer. And its a tiny fraction of the people who feel that call to service, who step up in the way that you have, and its even a smaller fraction who make it through this program. You should all be tremendously proud today, for what you’ve done, and for what you will continue to do. And as I mentioned to some of you at breakfast this morning, you are about to join the world’s most powerful military. And the world’s most powerful country, and with great power comes great responsibility. It is an honor to be with you and remember to carry that responsibility in your heart, as all of us who commit to public service do. I also want to take a moment to thank your recruit division commanders, I suspect some of you may have, may not have always loved them during this period, but I know they shaped you into what you are right now. They’ve taken on the unique and honorable challenge of shaping the recruits you were just a few months ago, into the finest American sailors you are today, and I thank you, we thank you for your dedication. But the most important thing, is I want to thank all of the people who are sitting here watching the day. Everyone out standing here at attention right now, chose to enlist in the military. And all the families who are out here in the background got drafted into that service. I know from my own family what a commitment that is from the family, and how much all of your success depends on the commitment of those around you, so thank you to all, who have come out here and made that commitment today. You all, sailors, are about to embark on one of the most challenging adventures of your life. You’ve chosen to serve your country at a time when it is desperately needed. None of us can anticipate the challenges that you are going to have. But I know that you’re up for it. So congratulations. It is my privilege to be here, and I wish you nothing but success going forward. Thank you. (applause) (shouting) (drumming) (patriotic instrumental music)
[Female Announcer] Please join me in one more round of appreciation for our wonderful musicians of Navy Band Great Lakes. (applause)
[Female Announcer] Flags, post. Fall out and retrieve outer garments. (drumming)
[Female Announcer] 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. (applause and cheers)