The virtual graduation ceremony for Training Group 48 at Recruit 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 Spencer Fling)
Transcript
(suspense music)
[Commander] Action! (upbeat music) (soldiers sing)
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 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.
Hurry up. Let’s go. Get on the bus. Let’s go. (Recruit Division Commander yells)
[Erik Thors] Recruit Training Command, is the quarterdeck of the United States Navy.
[Recruit Division Commander] Good order and discipline, will be maintained 24/7. Proper military posture will be maintained 24/7.
[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’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. (Crawford heaves)
[Erik Thors] Our training environment, is controlled chaos.
What you guys lack, is discipline today! (suspense music) (Recruit Division Commander yells)
[Erik Thors] 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?
[Recruits] Yes Sergeant Sir!
[Erik Thors] We’re designed, to develop skillsets, that sailors can carry, throughout their entire career. We push hard on physical fitness.
You better take somebody.
[Erik Thors] Watch standing.
You’re not looking man, look! Try it. (background music drowns out commander)
[Erik Thors] And creating a warrior mindset.
Now with the mental scan, you’re going to be focused on your mind.
[Erik Thors] A true body, mind, and soul approach.
When I say, gas, gas, gas, you’ll have the deep, one five seconds, down your faces, down your straps, check for a seal, and put your hands in your pockets.
[Erik Thors] All of our recruits receive training, and that will help them, the second they get to the fleet.
This end, put your badges down, all the way.
[Erik Thors] Firefighting, damage control, weapons and seamanship. Our recruits get hands on training, and an application with them all. (suspense music)
When I put my hands in front of your faces, you stop shooting, you got it? All right, put your gears on.
Stand by.
Candid, do wreak havoc.
[Recruit Division Commander] All right, put your gears on. (gun shots blaring) (suspense music)
Again, one draft. Face comes up, one round, back out. (water splashes) (suspense music)
So I need, everything you’ve got. Because, once we start this evolution again, I’m going to expect you, to adapt, overcome, and be. (Recruit Division Commander yells) (bell rings) (suspense music)
Work together as a team, execute the mission, and the next time I see you, you’ll be sailors. Hooyah Navy.
[Recruits] Hooyah!
[Erik Thors] Everything they learn, is tested in a battle station. (buzzer chimes)
[Chief] Identify yourself.
[Recruit] Chief, division 0-0-1-9 and ready for battle session Chief.
[Chief] Very well.
[Recruit Division Commander] Do not relax anything, that’s on you.
[Erik Thors] A 24 hour event, where the recruit ceases to exist. (Recruit Division Commander shouts) (recruits shout)
[Erik Thors] And a sailor is forged.
[Recruit Division Commander] We’ve got water! We’ve got water! Headshot, you just wanna make sure it’s as tight. As tight.
[Female Recruit Division Commander] Breathe!
[Erik Thors] Maybe bootcamp really is a machine, with a swarm of moving parts, all working towards the same goal. Making a sailor. (recruits chant) 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.
[Announcer] Please welcome, division three, seven, three! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Joshua George. Petty Officer First Class, Maria Teresa, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Cyrus Boochfield, from Austin, Florida. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, four! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Lawrence Cabers. Petty Officer First Class, Sarah Munich, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Simon McKenzie Salinas, from Green Cove Springs, Florida. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, five! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Alonzo Wynn. Petty Officer First Class, Amanda Hansen, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, James Joyce, from Aden, Alabama. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, six! Commanded by, Petty Officer First Class, Justin Alvarado. Petty Officer Second Class, Morgan Rodgers, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Stephanie Montoya, from Flint, Michigan. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, seven! Commanded by, Petty Officer First Class, Henry Williams. Petty Officer First Class, Wayne Morrison. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Steven Jonathan Gray, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, eight! Commanded by, Petty Officer First Class, Courtney Harris. Petty Officer Second Class, Dante Cook. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Ethan Cybersen, from Vancouver, Washington. (drums beat) Division, three, seven, five! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Paul Amogen. Petty Officer First Class, Deseray Righton, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Senior Jonah Chase, from Homestead, Indiana. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, zero! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Jean Morgan. Petty Officer Second Class, Russo Acada. And the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Hawali Fernando, from Tukwila, Washington. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, one! Commanded by, Petty Officer First Class, Dax Pix. Petty Officer First Class, Terry Grove, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Donovan Sarre, from Ingleside, Texas. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, two! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Steve Dandy, Petty Officer First Class, Lamarcus Seaberry, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Curtis Churchill, from Lake Champlain, New York. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, three! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Andrew Baldwin. Petty Officer Second Class, Eric Van, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Steven Tyler Scott, from Grants Pass, Oregon. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, four! Commanded by, Petty Officer First Class, Edward, Andrew. Petty Officer First Class, Tiffany Burkhurt, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Michael Pettin, from Buffalo, New York. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, five! Commanded by, Chief Petty Officer, Raymond Rhymer. Petty Officer First Class, Ryan Stall. Petty Officer First Class, Wand Rodriguez, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Xavier Griffin, from Shoreacres, Texas. (drums beat) Division, three, eight, six! Commanded by, Senior Seal Petty Officer, Sarah Woodward. Petty Officer First Class, Pastine, Santoyo, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, John Harden, from Sylvester, Georgia. (drums beat) This concludes today’s ceremony. Thank you so much for coming.
Congratulations sailors. You’ve all made it. You’re graduating from bootcamp, 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. Well 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 proved you were tough, mentally, morally, and physically, you showed you could 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 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 bootcamp. 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 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 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. Heavenly father, we thank you, for this day, that have given us, and for this occasion, that has allowed us to celebrate, the graduation, of our newest and finest Navy sailors. Thank you for your blessing, of strength, protection, and health, that has allowed these young sailors, to complete their training, here at Recruit Training Command. Thank you for all the outstanding RDCs, instructors, and staff, that have worked hard to instill honor, courage, commitment, toughness, each day here at RTC. Thank you for the parents, and family members, that could not be here, but have faithfully supported, and sacrificed much, so that their loved ones could serve, our great nation. So as these young sailors go forth, to defend freedom, and democracy, during these stressful times, we ask you, to protect them, with your mighty strength, and guide them in your love, and peace. May you also heal our nation, and the world, and put an end, to the spread of COVID-19. May God bless you. May God bless America. And may God bless the United States Navy. Amen. (orchestral 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 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 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 eaten on the mass decks. And you’re going to hear the flight deck, fire drill, 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 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 last four years. And sailors like you, responded, and took action. Your test is coming. Are you ready?
[Recruits] Yes, Master Chief!
Weak! Weak! Are you ready?
[Recruits] 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 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.
[Recruits] Hooyah!