Navy boot camp graduation from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, October 18, 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. (dramatic inspirational music) (marching band percussion music) (energetic percussion music) (xylophone music with percussion accompaniment) (energetic percussion music) (upbeat xylophone music) (energetic percussion music) Boo yah (upbeat percussion) (band members chanting) (audience applauding) (leader shouting orders) (rhythmic marching band percussion music) (audience applauding) (announcer speech drowned by crowd applause)
[Announcer] Who’s 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 Columbia. Puerto Rico.
[Male Announcer] Guam.
[Female Announcer] American Samoa. Northern Mariana Islands. Virgin Islands.
[Male Announcer] State flags order hearts. And now we’d like you to join the staff of Recruit Training Command in welcoming the graduating divisions with your applause as they enter Midway Ceremonial Hall and are announced in the following order. (energetic percussion music) (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Please welcome division 387! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 388! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 389! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 390! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 391! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 392! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 393! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Division 394! (audience cheering) (energetic percussion music) Today’s graduating performing unit is division 950! (audience cheering) (applauding) Division 950 provides the state flag and color guard and drum line units for today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, you may be seated, thank you. Divisions, right, face, section leaders, fall out and collect outer garments. (officer shouting orders) (marching band percussion music) (officer shouting orders) Divisions, cow turn, march. (rhythmic percussion music) (audience cheering) Divisions, halt.
[Officer] Prepare for review. And normal (mumbles words) Right front. Left face. (officer shouting orders) Ready front, right, face, forward, 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 relieving officer. Photography is certainly encouraged, but we ask that you remain seated and off (mumbles) The photographers you will see on deck throughout the review are the official photographers of Recruit Training Command. (patriotic marching band music) Division commands, left or right, face. Parade rest.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I’m Lieutenant Rob Erbenduty Recruit Training Command’s drill leading officer. I would like to welcome you to today’s passing review. Today we’ll see nine divisions comprised of 683 sailors participating in their graduation ceremony and soon will join the most powerful Navy in the world. Please draw your attention to immediate positions at center deck. They are recruiting commander and staff. The review commander is responsible for conducting the graduation ceremony. Today’s review commander is Seaman Recruit Antonio Bolima from Kissimmee, Florida. Let’s give him a hand, folks. (audience applauding) Performing today is a staff on their sixth week of training to perform for you on their seventh week of training and statewide training on their eighth and final week of training. These units are comprised entirely of recruits. During the night of (mumbles) all recruits are placed to divisions and 88 personnel assigned in the division commands. Recruit division commanders both with academic recruit training, and are key individuals like every recruiter. Division commanders must serve counselors, disciplinarians, administrators and military leaders. Above all, they must show themselves as outstanding examples of military daring, appearance, attitude and behavior. Each division also has a recruit chief petty officer. This is a senior recruit who supervises the divisional staff positions and leads the division in the absence of their division commanders. Now ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce the graduating divisions, their division commanders and recruit chief petty officers. As I introduce each division, they will raise the competitive flags they have earned throughout their training. As I introduce each recruit chief petty officer, the flag representing their home state will also be raised. Please hold your applause until all (mumbles) have been completed. I will be starting from their right. Division 387, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Billy Hoffman. Petty Officer First Class Courtney McKloski. Petty Officer First Class Michael Canon. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Kyle Rose, from Hopewell, Virginia. Division 388, commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Sean Deisman. Petty Officer First Class, Adriana Hashley. Petty Officer Second Class, Hayden Shrewsbury. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Christine Casandra Peralta from Annandale, Virginia. Division 389, commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer Warren Kaberney. Petty Officer First Class Jeremy Pratt. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Danny Massida from Unika, New York. Division 390, commanded by Chief Petty Officer John Bowman. Chief Petty Officer Ashley Chan. Petty Officer First Class Phillip Ware-Hernandez. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Elena Golo from Vancouver, Washington. Division 391, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Joan Powell. Petty Officer First Class Ethan Nguyen. Petty Officer Second Class Hunter Zatori. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Jasmine Cantreris, from Moreno Valley, California. Division 392, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Justin Shipman. Petty Officer First Class Ryan Romidor. Petty Officer First Class Irish McDonald. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Madison McFarley from Tucson, Arizona. Division 393, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Christopher Ellington. Petty Officer First Class Joseph Ihal. Petty Officer First Class Christopher Smith. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Leonardo Vaya from Richmond Hill, Georgia. Division 394, commanded by Chief Petty Officer James Agent. Petty Officer First Class Gerald Warton. Petty Officer First Class Adrian Miles. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Joseph Leeway from Denver, Colorado. Division 950, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Cody Martin. Petty Officer Second Class Nicolas Jones. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Tad Jones from Saint Louis, Missouri. On behalf of the commanding officers, staff and Recruit Training Command, we congratulate these division commanders and recruit chief petty officers on a job well done. (audience applauding) (cheering) In a moment you will see the ceremonial (mumbling) and honorees taking places for a round of honors. This time honored tradition is our formal greeting to this morning reviewing officer. When requested by the announcment, please stand to the arrival others marching all 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 visitation, our ceremony’s conducted in a formal manner, however we do encourage you to participate today in graduation ceremony. Elevate your applause. Show your sailors how proud of them you are. Once again, welcome aboard. (audience applauding) (cheering) (patriotic marching band music) (officer shouting orders) (patriotic marching band music) At a normal interval (officer shouting orders)
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise and remain standing for the arrival of the official party. (officer shouting orders) (bell ringing) Recruit Training Commands arriving. (whistle shrieking) (officer shouting orders) (bell ringing) Deputy Commander Cyber Engineering Mable Seats Systems Command arriving. (whistle shrieking) (patriotic marching band music) (officer shouting orders) (bell ringing) Deputy Director NC-3 Enterprise Center United States Strategic Command arriving. (whistle shrieking) (patriotic marching band music) (booming rhythmic percussion) (officer shouting orders) The guest may be seated. (officer shouting orders)
Good morning Admiral. Honor guard standing by for inspection, sir.
[Admiral] Very well.
[Officer] Inspection on. (patriotic marching band music) (admiral speaking softly) Thank you for your inspection comments, sir. Right shoulder, arms. (shouting orders) March! Right face. Forward, march, left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left! Left!
[Officer] Color guard, forward reverse.
[Announcer] Will the guests please rise? Present arms. (drum rolling) (band playing National Anthem) Oh say can you see By the dawns early light What so proudly we hail 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 Oh say that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave (audience applauding) (officer shouting orders)
[Officer] Retire the colors!
[Announcer] Present arms. (drum rolling) Order arms. Chaplain Bruno will offer this morning’s invocation.
Let us pray. Lord God, you are a mighty warrior. Your hand shields the humble and gives guidance to those seeking wisdom. This morning we celebrate these young men and women and ask for your hand to be upon each of them, protecting and guiding them. We thank you, oh Lord, for our newest sailors standing before us today ready and waiting for the next chapter of their lives. Do not allow them to travel this journey alone. May your spirit accompany them in the face of danger and carry them out of harm’s way. All mighty one, grant our shipmates the courage to stand for righteousness, the reverence to kneel before you and the honor and commitment to serve one another and our United States, amen.
[Everyone] Amen. Eternal father strong to save Whose arm has bound the restless wave Who bids 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
[Announcer] Our guests may be seated. At this point, the commanding officer would issue orders and instructions to the unit commands. 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. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well. (recruit shouting response) Very well.
All the divisions present are accounted for, sir.
[Commander] Very well. (officer shouting orders) (recruits responding with a memorized speech) (audience applauding)
Good morning, Captain. I present the graduating divisions. Request permission to commence the review. (captain responds quietly) Aye aye, sir. (captain responds quietly) (officer shouting orders) (patriotic marching band music) (energetic percussion music) (patriotic marching band music) (piccolo solo) (patriotic accompanying music) (audience applauding) (slow gentle music) (choir singing) (gentle marching band music) I am the city by the bay (choir singing) (marching band gentle music) I am the words 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 plains America, America, God shed his grace on me And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea (patriotic marching band music) (choir singing) (gentle marching band music) We are you (inspirational marching band music) (audience applauding) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering on the floor) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (officer shouting orders) (guns clattering) (group shouting) (audience applauding) (whistle shrieking) (patriotic marching band music) Anchors aweigh my boys Anchors aweigh Farewell to foreign shores We sail at break of day Through our last night ashore Drink to the foam Until we meet once more Here’s wishing you a happy voyage home (audience applauding) (officer shouting orders) (energetic percussion music) (officer shouting orders)
All awardees reporting, sir.
Very well. Good morning, I’m Captain Eric Horst, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command and it’s a good day. I think we have about 3,000 family and friends that had to let some energy out so I’m gonna give you and opportunity. Don’t beat me to the punch. I’m gonna count to three and when I do, you really need to let it out. I want you to scream, clap, stomp, do whatever the heck you gotta do. Get it out of your system, but make sure your sailors know how much you love them. Here we go, one, two, three, let it go. (audience cheering) (applauding) Very well done. I welcome you to this morning’s recruit graduation ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen, this is where our Navy heritage meets the future and where these young men and women enter the profession of arms. Division 950 graduates today. They are the state flags unit providing the 50 state flags, District of Columbia and U.S. Territory flags, drum corp and color guard. Please join me in giving them a hand for their outstanding performances. (audience cheering) (applauding) Welcome to our recruiting officer, Rear Admiral Ronald Fritzmeyer, deputy director, NC-3, Enterprise Center, U.S. Strategic Command. Our guest of honor, Rear Admiral Luan Nguyen, Deputy Commander, Cyber Engineering, Naval Systems Command and our special guest, Commander Winston Scott the Second, Respective Commanding Officer at Strike Squadron Fighter, Strike Fighter Squadron 122. 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) (applauding) I am pleased to welcome the families and friends of these said 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. They give our Navy its combat edge and they enable us to help keep this nation secure. These sailors have successfully completed eight weeks in Commanding 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 683 of the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy. (audience cheering) (applauding)
[Announcer] Recruit Training Command’s competitive system among individual recruits, and divisions, promotes teamwork, attention to detail and pride in accomplishment. Divisions performing above standards throughout their training are awarded recognition flags in five mission areas, academic achievement, military drill, compartment readiness, applications and physical fitness. These flags are carried as invisible symbol of the division success. Each flag indicates that your sailors individually and as teams met performance standards in one or more mission areas. A division that excels at every stage of training qualifies to be battle efficiency honored division recognition and is awarded the Battle of the Honor flag for this exemplary achievement. Division 391 has earned this honor today and we congratulate them on a job exceptionally well done. (audience cheering) (applauding) (officer shouting orders) Rear Admiral Fritzmeyer will now present this week’s individual awards and he’ll be joined on the drill deck by our commanding officer, Captain Duwarts, our guest of honor, Rear Admiral Nguyen and today’s special guest, Commander Scott.
Good morning Captain, Seaman Kalabe reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] For achieving highest overall academic score during her pre-training, Seaman Karile Kalabe, division 387, from Jacksonville, Florida has earned the academic excellence award, which is sponsored by the defining standard of the Illinois Society of The Sons of the American Revolution. Seaman Kalabe receives a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Welcome, sailor. (audience applauding)
Good morning, congratulations. (quiet conversation)
[Kalabe] Good morning, Admiral.
Good morning. (quiet conversation)
[Kalabe] Good morning, Commander. (quiet conversation)
Good morning, Captain, Fireman Arch reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] For having displayed extraordinary qualities best expressed in the American spirit of honor, initiative and loyalty, Fireman Emily Arch, division 950 from Front Royal, Virginia is awarded the Navy League Award which is sponsored by the Navy League of the United States. Fireman Arch is presented with a commemorative plaque and a letter of commendation from the commanding officer. Welcome sailor. (audience applauding)
[Arch] Good morning, Admiral.
Good morning. (quiet conversation)
[Arch] Good morning, Commander. (quiet conversation)
Good morning Captain, Seaman Perez reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] Seaman Akayla Perez, division 392, from Brownfield, Texas is the winner of the United Service Organization Award for best exemplifying the spirit and intent of the word shipmate. Seaman Perez is given a commemorative plaque from the United Service Organization. Well done, sailor. (audience applauding) (quiet conversation)
[Perez] Good morning, Admiral.
Good morning.
[Perez] Good morning, Commander. Thank you, Commander.
Good morning Captain, Fireman Fortuna reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] Fireman Joe Fortuna division 389 from Edinburg, Texas is the recipient of the Military Border of the World Wars Awarded Merit. This award is presented for meritorious performance during recruit training. Fireman Fortuna is presented with a commemorative plaque from the Military Order of the World Wars. Welcome sailor! (audience applauding)
[Fortuna] Good morning, Commander.
Good morning, how are you doing? (quiet conversation)
[Fortuna] Good morning, Admiral. (quite conversation) Good morning, Commander. (quiet conversation)
Good morning, Captain, Seaman Melton reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] The Military Officer’s Association Leadership Award is presented to Seaman Kimberly Melton, division 390 from High Springs, Florida for demonstrating exceptional tenacity and professionalism. Seaman Melton is awarded a letter of commendation from our commanding officer. Welcome sailor! (audience applauding)
Good morning, how are you today?
[Melton] Good, how are you? (quiet conversation) Good morning, Admiral. (quiet conversation) Good morning, Commander. (quiet conversation)
Good morning, Captain, Fireman Trentnel reporting.
[Captain] Very well.
[Announcer] Fireman apprentice Chase Trentnel division 387 from McCaysville, Georgia 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 him at the pinnacle of today’s newest sailors. He is awarded a flag veteran accommodation, Fireman Apprentice Trentnel, the staff of Recruit Training Command salutes you as the finest in this group of graduates. Welcome sailor! (audience applauding)
Congratulations.
[Trentenel] Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, Admiral. (quiet conversation) Thank you, Admiral. Good morning, Commander. (quiet conversation) Thank you, Commander.
Divisions, attention!
[Announcer] It is appropriate to recognize such outstanding individual accomplishments by these sailors with a round of three cheers. The accutent 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 Ronald Fritzmeyer. He oversees NC-3 operations, maintaining enterprise-wide visibility, assessing comprehensive operational and technical risks and with NC-3 stakeholders partnership, develops and advocates future capabilities, architectures and risk management options. Rear Admiral Fitzmeyer received a direct admission in the United States Navy Reserve in 1985 and holds a masters in electrical engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor in electrical engineering from California State University, Fresno. In his first flag assignment he served on active duty as chief engineer for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. Rear Admiral Fritzmeyer is an Information Warfare Qualified Engineering Duty Officer with prior key assignments including special advisor to commander in U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, Navy Sea Systems Command Chief of Cyber Security Commanding Officer SPAWAR, Charleston, reserve component, Commanding Officer of Naval Research Laboratories Space Engineering Reserve Component. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a warm recruit chain command welcome to an outstanding sailor, Rear Admiral Ronald Fitzmeyer. (audience applauding)
It is my great pleasure to be here today. I’m so honored to be able to have the chance to spend just a little bit of time. The last few hours that we’ve spent here seeing the training that our recruits, your sailors go through here has just been really exciting and heartwarming and I need you to forgive me for one moment because my mother will not believe this if I don’t do this. (audience laughing) (applauding) Apologies for that delay. Good morning, I’m Rear Admiral Ronald Fitzmeyer it is a great privilege to join you today to welcome the 683 sailors into the world’s finest Navy. For over a century, Naval Station, Great Lakes has transformed over 3,000,000 civilians into highly trained sailors. The program here has always been rigorous, demanding more from recruits than even they probably thought possible, but each of them has selflessly answered the call to duty to serve a cause greater than themselves. They have passed battle stations and proven themselves worthy of wearing the uniform that symbolizes freedom throughout the world, the uniform of the Unites States Navy. The recruit division commanders, instructors and staff at ROTC have taken on the unique and honor a challenge of shaping these recruits into the finest American sailors, maintaining the Navy’s high standards and we thank them for their dedication. (applauding) Most importantly, we acknowledge these sailor’s families and friends for your integral role that you’ve played in their lives, helping to shape the recruit into a person who would want to stand up for their country, who understands the Navy core values, honor, courage and commitment and during the past eight weeks, you have tirelessly supported them and I’m sure they appreciated every aspect of that. We now welcome you into the Navy family. So yes, this is indeed a family. Sailors, you about to embark on one of the most challenging adventures of your life. You may have thought this past eight weeks was hard, challenging and that you learned much, get ready and fasten your seatbelt, you’ve only just begun. You’ve 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’ve taken on the responsibility of defending our nation and are now prepared for that tremendous duty. You’ve earned not only mine, but the respect of a grateful nation. Congratulations, sailors. Thank you. (audience applauding) (officer shouting orders) (rhythmic percussion music)
[Announcer] Rear Admiral Fritzmeyer will now receive the salute of the graduating divisions and he will be joined on the drill bed by our commanding officer, Captain Thors. Please remain seated until your graduates have been placed on liberty. (upbeat patriotic music) Please join me in one more round of appreciation for our wonderful musicians at Navy Band Great Lakes. (audience applauding) Flags, posts, section leaders, fall out and retrieve outer garments. (marching band percussion music) Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall will be closing at the conclusion of today’s graduation. Please check the area around you to insure that you have all your possessions. For those families with strollers, please retrieve them as you exit the drill hall. All graduating sailors will insure they’re in full proper uniform the day before leaving Midway Ceremonial 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! (audience cheering) (applauding) (crowd animatedly chattering)