The virtual graduation ceremony for Training Group 01 at Recruit Training Command, the Navy’s only bootcamp. The reviewing officer was Rear Adm. Jamie Sands, commander, Naval Education Training Command. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
Transcript
(upbeat drum line playing) (recruit singing)
Hello, I’m captain Eric Thor’s 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 online and witnessing this significant milestone. Next time you talked to your sailor I’m sure they’ll have many stories to tell you about their bootcamp experience but first, allow me the opportunity to show you our side of the story.
Hurry up Let’s go. Get on the bus. Let’s go. (engine running)
Out of the bus (indistinct chatter)
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.
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. (recruit breathing heavily) (indistinct music)
Our training environment is controlled chaos. (Recruit Division Commanders screaming indistinctly)
Do it!
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 in unison) Yes, Petty Officer!
We are designed to develop skill sets that sailors can carry throughout their entire career. We push hard our physical fitness, (indistinct chatter)
You better catch somebody.
Watch standing
You’re not looking man. Look! Try it. Read it. Listen.
Aye Petty Officer.
And creating a warrior mindset.
Now with the mental step you’re gonna be focused on your mind.
A true body, mind, and soul approach.
(Screaming) When I say, “Gas! Gas! Gas!” You will have 15, one five seconds to tighten your faces, tighten your straps, check for seal, and push your hands in your pockets.
All of our recruits receive training, that will help them the second they give to the fleet. (indistinct chatter)
Listen, put your glasses down, all the way (indistinct chatter) (indistinct music)
Firefighting, damage control, weapons, and seamanship. Our crews get hands-on training and application with them all. (indistinct yelling) (indistinct music)
If I put my hands in front of your faces, stop shooting. You got it? All right, put your ears up
Stand by. (guns firing)
Handing, too weak handing (guns firing) (indistinct music)
Okay, one breath, face comes up, one hand comes down (water splashing) (instructors screaming indistinctly)
Popcorn, right here
So, I need everything you’ve got, because, once we start this evolution again, I’m going to expect you to adapt, overcome, and beat.
(screaming) Petty Officer all lines manned and ready! Petty Officer all lines manned and ready. (indistinct soft music)
Work together as a team, execute the mission. And the next time I see you, you’ll be safe. Hooyah Navy.
(recruits in unison screaming) Hooyah Navy
Everything they learn is tested in a battle stations.
(intercom buzzing)
Identify yourself.
Chief, Division zero zero one manned and ready for battle stations, Chief.
Very well.
You will not relax anything that is on you (mumbles).
A 24 hour event where the recruit ceases to exist.
Brace for shock!
Brace for shock! (indistinct sound)
And a Sailor is forged.
Stop that water. Stop that water (instructing indistinctly)
Hang tight
Breath
Navy bootcamp really is a machine with a swarm of moving parts, all working towards the same goal: Making a Sailor.
(sailors in unison) … will serve my Navy’s combat team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all. (indistinct soft music)
The sailors forged here are the bedrock of our Naval forces. They give our Navy its combat edge and they 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. (snare drum drumming) Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy. (indistinct music)
(master of ceremonies) Please welcome Division zero, zero one commanded by Chief Petty Officer Jared Knights, Petty Officer first class Thomas Jordan, Petty Officer second class Jarvis Walker, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer Seaman Foster Hokhaur. From La Cruse, New Mexico. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero two commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Jorna Barnett, Petty Officer first class, Brad Hill, Petty Officer first class, Steve Cebu, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Kurt Alexando from Greenville, South Carolina. (Snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero three Commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Michael Gionay, Petty Officer first class, Christian Belts, Petty Officer first class, Jared Kettleman, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Steven Robertsons from Austin, Texas. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero four commanded by Petty Officer first class, Thomas Pejanski, Petty Officer Second class, Crystal OnDiano, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Megan Thomas from St. John’s, Florida. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero five commanded by Senior Chief Petty Officer, Joel Bledowski, Petty Officer first class, Jose Santos, Petty Officer first class, Chase Brandscona, and their Recruits Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Gabriel Trace from Jackson, Ohio. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero six commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Courtney Candy Petty Officer first class, Toshidia Bush, Petty Officer second class, Jake Wharton, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Jordan Rojas from St. Mary’s, Georgia. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero seven commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Louis Sanchez. Petty Officer second class, Peter Schultz, and their recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Tim Bachman from Carson city, Nevada. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero eight commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Julian Miles, Petty Officer first class, Jacob Parkins, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Unique Howard from San Antonio, Texas. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, zero nine. commanded by Petty Officer first class, Andrew Thompson, Petty Officer first class, Andrew Astraph Petty Officer second class, Kayla Dominguez, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Fred Kala from Antioch, Texas. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, one zero commanded by Chief Petty, Officer David Alvarado, Petty Officer second class, Jekelsi Kloran, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Siro Nossez from West Covina, California. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, one one commanded by Chief Petty Officer, Adam Jefferson, Petty Officer first class, Anthony Munos, Petty Officer second class, Zachary Williams, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Roman Cummins from San Diego, California. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, one two commanded by Petty Officer first class, AnoMarrero Suarez, Petty Officer second class, Jay Dong, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Gina Reese from Long Island, New York. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, one three commanded by senior Chief Petty Officer, Nicholas De Jorge, Petty Officer second-class, O’Neill Campbell, Petty Officer second class, Michael Chutes, and their Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Tylan Davis from Atlanta, Georgia. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) Division zero, one four commanded by Petty Officer first class, Tia Plumber, Petty Officer first class, Tiffany Wisher Petty Officer second class, Kiana Jordan, and the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Tyler Katz from Calhoun, Georgia. (snare drum continues drumming marching beat) This concludes today’s ceremony. Thank you for attending.
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 RDC’s 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 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 earn the right to wear that title. The Corona virus 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 but 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 were 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. Today is an accumulation and accomplishments of many people on many levels. Each of you graduates gathered here are the newest sailors of the United States Navy. You’re achievements are and will be many. You have prepared well for many years of life experience. Parents, family, friends, RDCs and instructors to be the best and brightest new sailors of the United States Navy. In gratitude, for all you have been given take a few moments And remember, your RDCs and instructors, parents family, and friends. Veterans, who help you become who you are today. For the RDCs, who work long hours and sacrifice greatly, we ask that you would give them rest in coming years. For the others here at recruit training, who poured time and knowledge into these sailors, you give them the strength to carry on day-to-day. For the families, many of whom are here today, who supported their sailors through this journey. We ask that you would encourage them with this graduation. I offer my blessings on each of you, for taking the task and living the dream of service to our nation. Each of you have to take over our freedom and democracy. Take what you have learned here in your training and physical, mental and spiritual toughness training wisely to do and become the best your abilities allow you to come. May you treat others with kindness and compassion. May you be grateful for every blessings. May you be well, happy, and finally, may you be successful and peaceful. Amen. (band playing “Anchors Away”)
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 that 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 going to 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 go to 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 drill fire alarm go off, and you’re going to run to the flight deck to suit up. And it was a Harrier jet with two, 500 pound bombs on board, a pilot in the cockpit, and the plane’s on fire. And you gotta go combat the fire. One of you is gonna 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 gonna 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?
(sailors in unison) Yes, Master Chief.
Weak. (screaming) Weak! Are you ready?!
(sailor screaming in unison) Yes, Master Chief!
I am proud of each and every one of you you are absolutely the generation of sailors I wanna go to war with. Be proud of what you’ve done. Earn it every day. I’m proud to call you ship mate. I look forward to seeing you in the fleet. I look forward to see your graduation tomorrow. Congratulations to your parents. Hooyah.
(sailors screaming in unison) HOOYAH!