The virtual graduation ceremony for Training Group 40 at Recruit Training Command, the Navy’s only bootcamp. The reviewing officer was Rear Adm. Jamie Sands, commander, Naval Service Training Command. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Camilo Fernan)
Transcript
(sailor shouting) (engaging music) (sailors chanting)
Hello everyone. I’m Captain Erik Thors. Commanding officer of Recruit Training Command. I welcome you to the virtual edition of our recruit graduation ceremony. Even though you cannot be here in person, it is important to be able to share this experience with you: The families and friends watching this significant milestone online. Next time you see your sailor, I’m sure they will have many stories to tell you about their bootcamp experience. But first, allow me the opportunity to tell you our side of the story.
[Sailor] Hurry up, let’s go. Get on the bus. Let’s go. (indistinct)
[Captain Eric Thors] Recruit training command is the quarter deck of the United State’s Navy.
[Sailor] Good order a discipline will be maintained 24/7. Proper military posture will be maintained 24/7.
[Captain Erik Thors] Every enlisted sailor begins their naval career here, and our mission is fairly simple: It’s to transform civilians into smartly disciplined, physically fit sailors ready for follow on training, and service to the fleet. And while doing so to instill in them the highest values of honor, courage, and commitment.
You are no longer a civilian. Whatever you were before, is now over. You’re about to begin a journey that is going to make you apart of the greatest naval force the world has ever known. This training will not be easy. It wasn’t meant to be. (labored breathing)
[Captain Erik Thors] Our training environment is a controlled chaos.
Are you guys not disciplined enough?
Do it!
[Captain Erik Thors] And while it may not seem like that to the recruits, each and every event has meaning and purpose.
You’re going to sound off at the top of your lungs. Do you understand? (Recruits yell in unison)
[Captain Erik Thors] We are designed to develop skill-sets sailors can carry throughout their entire career. We push hard on physical fitness. Watch standing,
You’re not looking man, look (indistinct)
[Captain Erik Thors] And creating a warrior mindset.
Now with the mental scan, you’re going to be focused on your mind.
[Captain Erik Thors] A true body, mind, and soul approach.
When I say Gas, gas, gas: You’ll have nine seconds to don your face, stein your straps, check your seal and put your hands in your pockets.
[Captain Erik Thors] All of our recruits receive training that will help them the second they get to the fleet.
Put your visors down all the way.
[Captain Erik Thors] Firefighting, damage control, weapons and seamanship: our recruits get hands-on training and application with them all.
Stand by.
You get one breath, your face comes up, one breath, back down.
So I need everything you’ve got, because once we start this evolution again, I’m going to expect you to adapt and overcome.
Work together as a team, execute the mission, and the next time I see you, you’ll be safe. Hooyah Navy. (all yell hooyah)
[Captain Erik Thors] Everything they learn is tested in the battle stations.
[Speaker Box] Identify yourself.
[Sailor] Chief, division 001 manned and ready for battle station, chief.
[Speaker Box] Very well.
[Captain Erik Thors] The 24 hour event where the recruit ceases to exist, and the sailor is forged. Navy bootcamp really is a machine. With a swarm of moving parts, all working towards the same goal: making a sailor.
[Graduates] 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.
The sailors forged here are the bedrock of our naval forces. They give our navy its combat edge, and enable us to help keep this nation secure. Each of them you see here today has earned the right to wear the uniform recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the newest and sharpest sailors in the United State’s Navy. (marching music)
[Announcer] Presenting Division 249. Commanded by Chief Petty Officer Tyler Carter, and the Officer First Class Carlos Hudson, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Jacob Dagnito from Comptan, California. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 256, Commanded by Petty Officer First Class Scott Gibson, Petty Officer First Class Euseph Valcivir, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Zachary Rossel from Enterprise, Alabama. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 269, commanded by Chief Petty Officer David Wildeman, Petty Officer First Class Joseph Coils, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Alexander Rocha from San Antonio, Texas. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 270 commanded by Petty Officer First Class Daniel Schneider, Petty Officer Second Class Monique Williams, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Journey Hammond from San Diego, California. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 271 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Selene Pisan, Petty Officer First Class Chelsea Towins, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Levy Holly from Jackson, Michigan. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 272 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Chec Maigan, Petty Officer Second Class Servia Pardio, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Christina Hannah from Columbus, Ohio. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 273 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Ryan Anderson, Petty Officer First Class Emanuel Manti, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Sean Cambus from Manassas Park, Virginia. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 274 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Michael Bahi, Petty Officer First Class Christopher Crawfer, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Devon Noakowski from Tampa, Florida. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 275 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Mitchells, Petty Officer First Class James Johnson, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman John Flid from Vermilion, Ohio. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 276 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Gregory Shwarts, Petty Officer First Class Ronalin Benton, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Kimberly Jelapo from George Town, Texas. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 277 commanded by Chief Petty Officer James Castile, Petty Officer First Class Dominick Dickerson, Petty Officer First Class Dallas Belomey, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Bryce Northrup from Phoenix, Arizona. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 279 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Docklin Lamb, Petty Officer First Class Johnathan Voit, Petty Officer First Class Anthony Pittman, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Riley Armstrong from Crosby, Texas. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] Division 280 commanded by Chief Petty Officer Terrance Simmons, Petty Officer First Class Alexis Morgan, Petty Officer Second Class Darrel Valancio, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Joshua King from Roanoke, North Carolina. (marching music continues)
[Announcer] This concludes today’s ceremony, thank you very much for coming.
Congratulations sailors, you’ve all made it. You’re graduating boot camp and doing so in a time of extraordinary circumstances. Today we recognize your transformation from civilian to sailor. A sailor is a member of a profession forged through shared adversity, confident in their abilities, and certain in their conviction that they are ready to handle any challenge. The RTC staff and your RDCs see these traits within each of you. I personally could not be more proud of how you have risen to the challenges we have presented and proven that you have what it takes to be members of our navy and profession of arms. While your time here has been different than others have experienced in the past, fundamentally most things haven’t changed. Like every sailor, you’ve been trained in firefighting, damage control, seamanship, small arms and watch standing. You’ve proved you were tough mentally, morally, and physically. You showed you can work as a team. Both relying on one another and being relied upon. You demonstrated the warrior spirit of sailors, and earned the right to wear that title. The coronavirus is certainly impacted your experience, but the Navy is inherently flexible and agile and excels when faced with challenges. Just like you’ve all done here during bootcamp. But we’re not just congratulating you today, we are welcoming new members of the Navy family watching from afar. While I wish you could all be here in person, I’m glad I’m at least able to virtually welcome you. The term Navy family isn’t jut a slogan; it’s a real thing, and I’m going to let you families in on a secret: We need you to love and support us throughout our service to our nation. Thank you for your love and support of your sailor. You’re truly apart of our family, and essential to the Navy. To the sailors graduating today: Well done. We are all very proud of you. Take care of one another, and stay in the fight. (instrumental music) (instrumental music continues) (instrumental music continues)
Throughout your time here you’ve been taught toughness. You have been taught to run to the fire. You have been taught to deal with acute stress, how to process it and still move forward. You have been taught all of that stuff. You have been taught to overcome challenge, and you have overcome challenges. The fact that you are sitting here today says that you’ve done that. Because here is what I’m going to tell you: You’re going to be tested. It’s coming. One of you is going to be sitting in your gym working out and you’re going to hear a loud crash off the back of your ship, and when you get up top side, a helicopter with 25 people has hit the back of the ship and fell in the water, and now you’ve got a mass casualty and start rescuing people. One of you is going to be eating from the mess decks, and you’re going to hear the flight deck fire alarm go off, and you’re going to run to the flight deck to suit up, and there’s a harrier jet with two 500 pound bombs on board a pilot in the cockpit and the plane’s on fire, and you’ve got to go combat the fire. One of you is going to be sitting in combat off of the coast of Africa, and you’re going to hear “Missiles inbound, this is not a drill,” and you’re going to have to react. Everything I just said has happened to our navy in the past four years, and sailors like you responded and took action. Your test is coming. Are you ready?
[Graduates] Yes Master Chief
Weak, weak. Are you ready?
[Graduates] Yes Master Chief
I am proud of each and every one of you. You are absolutely the generation of sailors I want to go to war with. Be proud of what you’ve done, earn it everyday. I’m proud to call you shipmate. I look forward to seeing you in the fleet. I look forward to seeing you at graduation tomorrow. Congratulations to your parents. Hooyah
[Graduates] Hooyah