The virtual graduation ceremony for Training Group 47 at Recruit Training Command. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Camilo Fernan)
Transcript
(ominous music) (snare drums clapping) (sailor shouting) (heavy percussive music) ♪ Test us, get into your raft ♪ ♪ Test us, get into your raft! ♪
Hello, everyone. I’m Captain Eric Thors, Commanding Officer of Recruit Training Command. I welcome you to the virtual edition of our recruit graduation ceremony. Even though you can’t 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 boot camp 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.
Out of the bus! In the building!
[Eric] Recruit training command is the quarterdeck of the United States Navy.
Good order and discipline will be maintained 24/7. Proper military posture will be maintained 24/7.
[Eric] 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 are about to begin a journey that’s gonna make you a part of the greatest Naval force the world has ever known. This training will not be easy. It wasn’t meant to be. (sailor breathing heavily) (light tense music)
[Eric] Our training environment is controlled chaos.
I know you guys lack discipline today!
Do it!
[Eric] And while it may not seem like that to the recruits, each and every event has meaning and purpose.
You’re gonna sound off at the top of your lungs. Do you understand?
[All] Yes, Petty Officer!
[Eric] We were designed to develop skillsets that sailors can carry throughout their entire career. We push hard on physical fitness.
You better catch somebody.
[Eric] Watch standing.
You’re not looking, man, look! Try it! Read it and look!
I will do so.
[Eric] And creating a warrior mindset.
Now, with the mental scan, you’re gonna be focused on your mind.
[Eric] A true body, mind, and soul approach.
When I say, gas, gas, gas, you will have 15, one five, seconds to scan your faces, stand your straps, check for seal, and put your hands in your pockets.
[Eric] All of our recruits receive training that will help them the second they get to the fleet. (sailors yelling)
Arms up, this side, put your flashes down all the way.
[Eric] Firefighting, damage control, weapons and seamanship, our crews get hands-on training and application with them all. (light music)
If I put my hands in front of your faces, you stop shootin’, okay?
Stand by.
Stand big. Show me again. (gun firing)
Again, one draft, basically you’re gonna jump. (light tense music) (all chattering)
Bottom one, right here.
So, I need everything you got, because once we start this evolution again I’m going to expect you to adapt, overcome, and beat. (sailor screaming) (bell dinging) (light music)
Work together as a team, execute the mission, and the next time I see you, you’ll be sailors. Hooyah Navy.
[All] Hooyah!
[Eric] Everything they learn is tested in the battle stations. (door buzzing)
Identify yourself.
[Sailor] Chief Division 001, niner ready for battle station, Chief.
Very well.
You will not last anything. That is on you, do you understand?
[Eric] A 24-hour event, where the recruit ceases to exist. (sailors yelling) And a sailor is forged.
[Sailor] Hot water, hot water. (sailors yelling)
[Sailor] Breathe!
Maybe bootcamp really is a machine with a swarm of moving parts, all working towards the same goal. Making a sailor. (sailors chanting) 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 States Navy. (rhythmic snare drum music)
[Sailor] Please welcome Division 323, commanded by Chief Petty Officer John Adams, Petty Officer First Class Brad Pill, and the Recruiting Petty Officer Jacob Aaron from Abernathy, Texas. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 330, commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Degeorge, Petty Officer First Class Mia Plumber, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Sheman Shalen, top country from Corine, Texas. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 332, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Anna Morell Swiss, Petty Officer First Class Thomas Coden, Petty Officer First Class Anthony Munoz, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Joe Cordaz, from San Jose, California. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 359, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Hootie Ozgood, Petty Officer Second Class Trevor Meek, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Aaron Haliburton from Del Ray Beach, Florida. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 360, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Christopher Campbell, Petty Officer First Class Chipper Lee Hardy, And the Recruit Petty Officer Steven Victoria-Martinez from Lubbock, Texas. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 361, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Lee Flores, Petty Officer First Class Chelsea Cooper, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Jess-Meck from Portland, Oregon. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 362, commanded by Chief Petty Officer First Class Adam Edison, Petty Officer Second Class Carrie Atinez, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Alexander-Medina from York, Pennsylvania. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 363, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Gregory Ryan, Petty Officer Second Class Sullivan Kidman, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Burns-Brennan from Lake Charles, Louisiana. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 364, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Audrey Codmore, Petty Officer First Class Ryan Medinez, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Bev Clerk from Cumming, Georgia. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 365, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Alejandro Valez, Petty Officer First Class Crystal Thompson, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Nate Tanner from Mill Creek, Pennsylvania. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 366, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Scott Gibson, Petty Officer First Class Richard Pluckman, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Sells from Luster, Virginia. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 367, commanded by Chief Petty Officer George Asada, Petty Officer First Class Daniel Jeffery, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Christopher Melcar From Killeen, Texas. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 368, commanded by Petty Officer First Class Landa Ariando, Petty Officer Second Class Joseph Hunter, And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Angel Morales-Gonzales from South Long Island, New York. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 369, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Tyler Carter, Petty Officer First Class Hiros Hudson, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Steven Mica Bowen from Bradenton, Florida. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 370, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Mike Butt, Petty Officer First Class Eric Silva, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Joseph Parris from Morena, Arizona. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 371, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Johnnie Meyano-Mendez, Petty Officer First Class Brandy Smith, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Noah Hitaki from Lancaster, South Carolina. (rhythmic snare drum music) Division 372, commanded by Chief Petty Officer Harry Hooscrach, Petty Officer First Class Darren Wooley, and their Recruit Petty Officer Chief Jonathon Combs from State College, Pennsylvania. (rhythmic snare drum music) This concludes today’s ceremony, thank you so much for coming!
Congratulations, Sailors. You’ve all made it, you’re graduating from 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’ve risen to the challenges we 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’ve showed you can work as a team, with relying on one another and being relied upon. You’ve demonstrated the warrior spirit of sailors and earned the right to wear that title. The coronavirus has 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 boot camp. We’re not just congratulating you today, we’re 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 just a slogan. It’s a real thing. And I’m gonna 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 are truly part of our family and essential to the Navy. To the sailors graduating today, well done. We’re all very proud of you. Take care of one another and stay in the fight.
Let us pray. Almighty God, we join together today to celebrate the accomplishment of these sailors, having completed Navy recruit training. We know success was earned by these sailors, not given. Yet we also know that there were many who were involved in helping them along the way. For the RDCs who worked long hours and sacrificed greatly, we ask that you will give them rest in coming days. For the others here at recruit training who pour time and knowledge into these sailors, give them the strength to carry on day to day. And finally, God, would you, from this moment on, be with these sailors, helping them to act honorably in the challenges of life, courageously when temptations arise, and committed to constantly improving, not just individually, but one another as well. For you are all over. Semper fortis. Amen. (energetic instrumental music)
Throughout your time here, you’ve been taught toughness. You have been taught to run to the fire. You’ve been taught to deal with the acute stress, how to process it and still move forward. You’ve been taught all that stuff. You’ve been taught to overcome challenge and you have overcome challenges. The fact that you’re sitting here today says you’ve done that ’cause here’s what I’m gonna tell you. You’re gonna be tested. It’s coming. One of you is gonna be sitting in your gym working out, and you’re gonna hear a loud crash off the back of your ship. And when you get up the top side, a helicopter with 25 people has hit the back of the ship and fell in the water. And now you got a mass casualty and start rescuing people. One of you’s gonna be eatin’ by the mess decks, and you’re gonna hear the flight deck fire drill fire alarm go off, and you’re gonna run to the flight deck to suit up. And there was 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 gonna be sitting in combat off the coast of Africa, and you’re gonna hear missiles inbound, this is not a drill, and you’re gonna have to react. Everything I just said has happened to our Navy in the last four years. And sailors like you responded and took action. Your test is coming. Are you ready?
[All] Yes, Chief!
Weak, weak! Are you ready?
[All] Yes, 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. Earned it every day. 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?
[All] Hooyah!