Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, September 13, 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 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. (intense music) (drums beating) (“Believer” by Imagine Dragons) (“Beat It” by Michael Jackson) (shouting) (audience applauding) (sailor shouting commands) (marching music) (audience applauding)
[Man] As the parade of graduates approaches we salute the states and territories whose sons and daughters will graduate today.
[Woman] Delaware.
[Man] Pennsylvania. New Jersey.
[Woman] Georgia. Connecticut. Massachusetts.
[Man] Maryland.
[Woman] South Carolina.
[Man] New Hampshire.
[Woman] Virginia. New York.
[Man] North Carolina. Rhode Island. Vermont.
[Woman] Kentucky. Tennessee. Ohio. Louisiana. Indiana.
[Man] Mississippi.
[Woman] Illinois. Alabama. Maine. Missouri.
[Man] Arkansas. Michigan.
[Woman] Florida. Texas. Iowa. Wisconsin.
[Man] California. Minnesota.
[Woman] Oregon. Kansas. West Virginia. Nevada. Nebraska.
[Man] Colorado. North Dakota.
[Woman] South Dakota. Montana. Washington.
[Man] Idaho.
[Woman] Wyoming. Utah.
[Man] Oklahoma.
[Woman] New Mexico. Arizona.
[Man] Alaska.
[Woman] Hawaii. District of Columbia. Puerto Rico.
[Man] Guam.
[Woman] American Samoa. Northern Marianna Islands. Virgin Island.
[Man] State flags. Order. Arcs. And now we invite you to join the staff of Recruit Training Command in welcoming their graduating divisions with your applause as they enter Midway Ceremonial Hall and are announced in the following order. (marching music) (audience cheering)
[Woman] Please welcome division 335. (audience cheering) Division 336. Division 337. (audience cheering) Division 338. (audience cheering) Division 339. (audience cheering) Division 340. (audience cheering) Division 341. (audience cheering) Division 342. (audience cheering) Division 343. (audience cheering) Division 344. (audience cheering) Division 345. (audience cheering) Division 346. (audience cheering) Division A20. (audience cheering) Division A21. Today’s graduating performing unit is Division 945. (audience cheering) Division 945 provides the recruit choir, drill team, and band for today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated. Thank you. Divisions rise. Face. Section leaders, fall out and collect outer garments. (sailor shouting commands)
[Sailor] Forward to formation, march. (marching music)
[Woman] Divisions, counter. March. (marching music) (audience applauding) Divisions, halt.
[Sailor] Raise flags, order march. (sailor shouting commands) Prepare for reveal. At a normal interval. (sailor shouting commands) Ready, front. Face. At last interval. Rest by, rest. Ready, front. Front face. Rest.
[Woman] 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 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. (marching music) Division commanders, left or right face. Parade, rest.
[Lt. Washington] Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I am Lieutenant Washington, USS Arizona Ships Officer, and I would like to welcome you to today’s Pass and Review. Today you will see 15 divisions comprised of 916 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. Review commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s review commander is Seaman Recruit Cameron Taylor from Stocade, Washington. Let’s give him a hand, folks. (audience applauding) Performing today is the state flagsmen on their sixth week of training, staffmen on their seventh week of training, and triple threat units 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 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 their 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 335. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Alberto Martinez. Petty Officer First Class Benjamin Harris. Petty Officer First Class Jerrick Martin. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Andrew Baker from Lakeland, Florida. Division 336. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Steven Wills. Petty Officer First Class John Whitaker. Petty Officer Second Class, Matthew Pelagrino. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Zachary Withoff from Hudson, Florida. Division 337. Commanded by Senior Petty Officer Brian Rigger. Petty Officer First Class Raquel Pinel. Petty Officer First Class Arnaldo Soltorivas. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Noah Faust from Eden, Ohio. Division 338. Commanded Petty Officer Second Class Anthony Clarence. Petty Officer First Class Orion Weston. Petty Officer Second Class Carmen Zeleck. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Malick Brannen from Jacksonville, Florida. Division 345. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Eliza Ocho. Petty Officer First Class Demarcus Bartee. Petty Officer First Class Ryan Campbell. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Daniel McDonald from Ashville, North Carolina. Division 346. Commanded Chief Petty Officer David Pillo. Petty Officer First Class Bryce Berato. Petty Officer First Class Andrew Barkley. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Samuel Lewis from Knoxville, Tennessee. Division 341. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Douglass Harold. Petty Officer First Class Jacob Neudor. Petty Officer First Class Mina Nelson. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Caleb McCain from Poth, Texas. Division 342. Commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jose Pegara. Petty Officer First Class Nivia Palms. Petty Officer Second Class Seaman Seymore Jay. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Tyler Stillings from Las Vegas, Nevada. Division 343. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Recardo Rodriguez. Petty Officer First Class Andrew Bell. Petty Officer Second Class Eliza Esparsa. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Mason Jasper from Michsa, Missouri. Division 820. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jonathan Adams. Petty Officer Second Class Haidi Likely. Petty Officer First Class Cole Walker. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Wesley Horn from Panama City Beach, Florida. Division 821. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Amber Parmerly. Petty Officer First Class Courtney Harris. Petty Officer Second Class John Sherwin. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Patrick Conelly from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Division 945. Commanded by Petty Officer First Class William Leon. Petty Officer First Class Leah Countsley. Petty Officer First Class Kevin Herbature. And their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Michael Mackwells from Crystal River, Florida. On behalf of commanded officer and staff of Recruit Training Command, we congratulate these division commanders and their Recruit Chief Petty Officers on a job well done. (audience cheering) In a moment, you will see the ceremonial side boys and honor guard take their places for arrival honors. This is a time-honored tradition, as our formal greeting for this morning’s review. When requested by the announcer, please stand for the arrival honors and marching of the pellets, 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 with 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) (marching music) (sailor shouting commands)
[Sailor] Divisions, attention.
[Woman] Will the guests please rise. And remain standing for the arrival of the official party. (sailor shouting commands) (bell ringing) Recruit Training Command arriving. (whistle blowing)
[Sailor] Order, arms. (sailor shouting commands) (bell ringing)
[Woman] Military personnel plans and policy arriving. (whistle blowing) (stately music)
[Sailor] Order, arms.
[Woman] The guests may be seated.
Morning Admiral, honor guard standing by for inspection, sir. Inspection, up. (stately music) Thank you for your inspection comments, sir. Right shoulder, on. (sailor shouting commands) Forward march.
Color guard, parade the colors.
[Woman] Will the guests please rise. Present, arms. (drum roll) Oh say can you see By the dawn’s early lights What so proudly we hailed At the twilight’s last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars Who the paroles fight O’er the ramparts we watched Were so gallantly streaming And the rocket’s red glare The bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free And the home of the brave
[Sailor] Order, arms. Retire the colors.
[Woman] Present, arms. (drum roll) Order, arms. Chaplain Anderson will offer this morning’s invocation.
Let us pray. God of wisdom, we offer thanks and praise for the gift of new beginnings and for the opportunities to learn and to wonder. Bless these shipmates as they now finish boot camp and experience another new beginning, that of a United State’s sailor. We thank you for those who taught and worked beside them, their RDCs, instructors and staff, and all who supported them along the way. Fellow recruits, loving families, and friends. Walk with these sailors as they leave and move forward in their Navy careers. Take away their anxiety and confusion of purpose as they transition from here to the next locale. Strengthen their many talents and skills and A school, instill in them a confidence in the future, where energies may be gathered up and used for the good of all people. But we keep in mind at this moment, grant these sailors a moment of rest and comfort during their first liberty in eight weeks. May their situational awareness and attention to detail not disappear the moment they step out of this drill hall. And may they enjoy the presence of family and friends, and things like caffeine and cell phones. Be with each of us, be with all of us oh God, amen and amen. Eternal Father strong to save Who taught hath thou no restless way Who is the mighty ocean deep His own appointed limit He Oh hear us when we cry to thee For those in parole, I bless thee Amen, amen
[Woman] Our guests may be seated. At this point, the commanding officer will 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.
Divisions, report. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. (sailor shouting) Very well. All divisions present and accounted for sir.
[Commander] 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)
Morning, Captain. I present the graduating divisions. Request permission to commence the review.
[Captain] Very well, commence the review.
Aye, Aye, sir. (sailor shouting commands) (marching music) (stately music) (audience applauding) (stately music) (sailors singing) Oh beautiful for spacious skies For amber waves of grain For purple mountain majesty Above the fruited plains America, America God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea (sailors singing) (audience applauding) (sailor shouting commands) (audience cheering) (sailor shouting commands) (audience applauding)
Hooyah. (audience applauding) (whistle blowing) (stately music) (sailors singing) (audience applauding) (sailor shouting commands) (marching music)
Award winners, left or right, face. Award winners reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Captain Eric Dorse, Commanding Officer of Recruit Training Command. Before we go any further, I think this crowd has some good energy pent up. So we’re gonna give you an opportunity to let that out. Just don’t beat me to the punch. I want you to yell, scream, shout, stomp, do whatever you gotta do. Get it out of your system, but let these sailors know how much you love them. And here we go. One, two, three, let it go. (audience cheering) Well done. Well done. That’s the way you do it. I welcome you to this morning’s graduation ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, you’re roudy. I got you, all right. This is where Navy heritage meets the future and where these young men and women enter the profession of arms. Division 945 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 performance. (audience cheering) Welcome to our review officer, Admiral Jeffrey Jabon. Director of Military Personal Plans and Policy Division. And our guest of honor, Bishop Sally Dick, Chicago Episcopal area. 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) And please welcome the families and friends of these graduates who have come here today to share in the significant milestone with our newest sailors. The men and women of Recruit Training Command are dedicated to providing the United States Navy basically trained, physically fit, and sharply disciplined sailors like those whom you see before you. They and others like them serve as the bedrock of our naval forces, and 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 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 916 of the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy. (audience cheering)
[Woman] 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 mission areas. Academic achievement, military drill, compartment readiness, application, and physical fitness. These flags are carried as a visible symbol of a 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 344 has earned this honor today. As we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done. (audience applauding) (sailor shouting commands) Where Admiral Jablon will no present this week’s individual awards, and he will be joined on the drill deck by our Commanding Officer, Captain Dorse and our guest of honor, Bishop Dick.
Morning Captain. Seaman Farrington reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] For achieving the highest overall academic score during recruit training, Seaman Daniel Farrington, Division 345 from West Ablon, New York has earned the Academic Excellence Award which is sponsored by the Lake Define Chapter of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Seaman Farrington receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
Morning Captain, Seaman Murray reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressing the American spirit of honor, initiative, and loyalty, Seaman Riley Murray, division 345 from Scottsdale, Arizona is awarded the Navy League Award, which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Seaman Murray is presented with a commemorative plaque and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
Good morning, Captain. Seaman Podell reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] Seaman Somarium Podell, Division 345 from Renten, Washington is a winner of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit intent of the word, shipmate. Seaman Podell is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
Morning, Captain. Seaman Lee reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] Seaman Justin Lee, Division 820 from Hickory, North Carolina is a recipient of the Military Order of the World of Wars Award of Merit. This award is presented for meritorious performance during recruit training. Seaman Lee is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
Morning, Captain. Seaman Morriston reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] The Military Officers Association Leadership Award is presented to Seaman Alexis Morriston, division 340 from Oxford, Pennsylvania for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Seaman Morriston is awarded a letter of commendation for a prior commanding officer. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
Good morning, Captain. Seaman Patterson reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Woman] Seaman Iona Patterson, division 344 from Fort Orchard, Washington 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 Patterson, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest of this group of graduates. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding)
[Sailor] Divisions, attention.
[Woman] It is appropriate to recognize such outstanding individual accomplishments by these sailors with a round of three cheers. Lee Agiton will lead all graduating divisions in three cheers for this morning’s award winners.
Hip hip.
Hooray.
Hip hip.
Hooray.
Hip hip.
Hooray.
I have the distinct pleasure this morning of introducing our reviewing officer, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Jablon. Director of military personal plans and policy division, office of the chief and naval operations. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1987, with a degree in mechanical engineering and holds a Master of Business Administration from James Madison University. His sea tours include, division officer assignment aboard USS L. Mandel Rivers. Navigator and operations officer aboard USS Olympia. Executive officer aboard USS Key West. He commanded USS Philadelphia in Gratten, Connecticut and was commander of submarine development group, Devron Five in Bangor, Washington. Among his staff assignments are Naval Warfare submarine strategist at US Special Operations Command. Commander submarine development squadron group. Deputy commander for training. Naval submarine school perspective commanding officer instructor. Division director of submarine nuclear power distribution. As flag officer, his tours include deputy director of plans and policies at US Strategic Command, and most recently, commander of Submarine Group 10. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm Recruit Training Command welcome to an outstanding sailor, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Jablon. (audience applauding)
Well good morning and what a wonderful day. Captain Dorse, thank you for the honor and privilege of speaking this morning to our Navy’s newest sailors and their families. There is nothing more important to our Navy than our people. They are our nation’s asymmetric advantage and an increasingly challenging world. So for me as the director of military personal plans and policy, it is truly a privilege to be here this morning at the quarter deck of the Navy, on such an important day for these young men and women. Where we will welcome our newest sailors to our Navy. Before I talk about the sailors and what has transpired for the past eight weeks, I would like to take a moment to recognize the parents, spouses, brothers, sisters, significant others, friends who are in attendance. You are the inspiration for your sailor and have ensured they have the support molding them into what they are today and who they will become. I know you will be able to thank them later, but I thank you for everything you have done, and welcome to our Navy family. (audience applauding) For over a century, Naval Station Great Lakes has transformed over three million civilians into highly trained professional sailors. The program here has always been rigorous, demanding more from recruits than they probably thought possible. But like the ones before you, you all did it. Each of you has selflessly answered the call to duty, to serve a greater cause than yourself. You have passed battle stations and proven yourself worthy of wearing the uniform that symbolizes freedom throughout the world. The uniform of the United States Navy. The recruit division commanders, instructors and staff at RTC have taken on the unique and honorable challenge of shaping recruits into the finest American sailors, maintaining the Navy’s highest standards. We thank them for their dedication. 18 years ago, almost to this day on 9/11 our entire world changed. Most of you were infants, some of you even weren’t born yet, and those in the crowd may have even gotten your parents to sign a waiver for you to join. Myself, I was the Executive Officer on USS Key West, a fast attack submarine based out of Pearl Harbor. On 9/11 we were deployed having just finished a port call in Thailand, and we’re in the Indian Ocean on our way to the Persian Gulf. That day I was the Command Duty Officer while the CO slept. And while at periscope depth, we received a cryptic one-line message that state there had been a terrorist attack in New York City. Our orders were to make best feed to take station in the Arabian Sea. We immediately went deep. I directed the officer of the deck to order all head plank. And 12 hours later, while periscope depth we received the update that the Twin Towers had collapsed. After being on station for about a month after 9/11, we were running out of food. During a replenishment at sea, which is very rare for a submarine, we finally received a video of the planes flying into the Twin Towers, almost a month after 9/11 happened. I still get chills when I think about viewing that video for the first time in recrews best. We completed the underway replenishment and then returned to our operating box to await orders. After being at sea for over 80 days, we received orders to carry out military operations. That day was the proudest have ever served in the United States Navy. The crew performed flawlessly, and the visions of the Twin Towers burning and falling were in our minds as we executed our orders. It reaffirmed the importance of being combat ready, training tirelessly, and taking pride and ownership in your mission and crew. The United States Navy is always ready to defend this great nation, and we will not anyone jeopardize our freedom. Instead of being torn apart after 9/11, we saw this nation come together stronger than ever. We were not defeated. Sailors, you are about to embark on one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures of your life. You have chosen to serve your country at a time when it is most needed, when America must show a strong presence throughout the world, on the seas and in the skies. You have take on the responsibility of defending our nation, and are now prepared for that tremendous duty. You have earned not only mine, but the respect of a grateful nation. As you progress in your careers, don’t forget to take the time to do it right at home, take care of your family, yourselves and your shipmates. If you live by the motto, ship, shipmate, self, you can’t go wrong. Godspeed, fair winds and following seas. And congratulations to the newest sailors in the United States Navy. Thank you. (audience applauding) (sailor shouting commands) (marching music)
[Woman] Rear Admiral Jablon will now receive the salute from the graduating divisions. And he will be joined on the drill deck by our Commanding Officer Captain Dorse. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. (stately music) Flags. Post. Section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. (marching music) 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 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 daily, now hear this, now hear this. Liberty call, liberty call, fall out. (audience cheering) (people chattering)