The virtual graduation ceremony for Training Group 03 at Recruit Training Command, the Navy’s only bootcamp, November 25, 2020. 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
(tense dramatic music) (soldiers chanting) (soldiers singing)
Hello, I’m Captain Erik Thors, commanding officer, 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.
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.
Our training environment is controlled chaos. (Soldier yelling) 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, we do sir!
We are designed to develop skill sets that sailors can carry throughout their entire career. We push hard on physical fitness, watch standing,
You’re not looking man, look! Try, read it and live it.
[Captain Erik Thors] And creating a warrior mindset.
And with the mental scan, you gonna be focused on your mind.
[Captain Erik Thors] A true body, mind, and soul approach.
[Captain Erik Thors] All of our recruits receive training, that will help them the second they give to the fleet. Firefighting, damage control weapons, and seamanship our crews get hands-on training and application with them all.
Standby. (Guns firing)
Again, one breath (background noise drowns other sounds)
So I need everything you got. Because once we start this evolution again, I’m going to expect you to adapt, overcome, and beat.
Work together as a team, execute the mission. And the next time I see you, you’ll be sailors. Hoo-yah Navy. [Recruits] Hoo-yah!
[Captain Erik Thors] Everything they learn is tested in a battle station. (Door buzzing) Identify yourself.
Chief division 001 man and ready for battle station chief.
Very well.
Do not relax anything that is on you. Do you understand?
[Captain Erik Thors] A 24 hour event where the recruit ceases to exist, and sailor is forged.
Maybe bootcamp really is a machine with a swarm of moving parts, all working towards the same goal, making a sailor. (Recruits reciting Navy creed)
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. (Drumming in the Background) Ladies, gentlemen, I present to you the newest and sharpest sailors in the United States Navy. (Drumming)
Please welcome division 029. Commanded by Petty Officer first class Elizabeth (drumming drowns out other sounds) Petty Officer first class, Marcell Chapman. Petty Officer first class, Ali Tolido and the recruiting chief Petty Officer (mumbles) Diaz. From Holston, Virginia. (Drumming) Division 030. Commanded by chief Petty Officer Jeremiah Whiterwell. Petty Officer second class Teresa Meyers. Petty Officer second class Girun Colonel. And the recruit chief Petty Officer Seabee Abigail Brooks. Irving, Georgia. (Drumming) Division 031. Commanded by chief Petty Officer Christopher lee wilkin Petty Officer second class Kevin leone. Petty Officer second class David Starborn. And the recruiting Petty Officer, Seaman Zachary Anderson. From Edinburg Mississippi. (Drumming) Division 032. Commanded by (other sounds drowns other sounds) Petty Officer Tameka williams. Petty Officer first class Tiffany Williams. Petty Officer first class (mumbles) Bullock. And the recruit chief Petty Officer Seaman Alec woods from Fairfield California. (Drumming in background) Division 033 commanded by chief Petty Officer Nicholas Taylor. Petty Officer first class Kelly Buseau. Petty Officer first class (drumming drowns other sounds). And the recruit chief Petty Officer (drumming drowns other sounds) (Drumming) (Drumming in background) Division 034. Commanded by chief Petty Officer (mumbles). Petty Officer first class, Javier (mumbles). Petty Officer first class, Peter Lucas. Petty officer second class, Gabriela Vasquez. And the recruit chief petty officer, Seaman Riley Hightower. Scottsdale, Arizona. (Drumming) (Drumming in background) Division 035. Commanded by Chief petty officer Tracey Coldwell. Petty Officer first class, (mumbles) Walker. Petty officer second class, Antonio Castro. And the recruit chief Petty Officer, Airman Austin Tracey from (mumbles) Illinois. (Drumming) (Drumming in background) Division 036. Commanded by chief Petty Officer Archie Arnold. Petty Officer second class Morgan Moore. Petty officer second class Christopher Cheche. And the recruiting Petty Officer, fireman apprentice Kyle (mumbles) Jacksonville, Florida. (Drumming) (Drumming in background) Division 801. Commanded by Petty Officer first class, Sean Boyd. Petty Officer second class, Jason Maginey. Petty officer second class, Nicholas jones. And the recruiting petty officer, Jacob Andrew from Colombus Ohio. (Drumming in background) Division 802. Commanded by chief Petty Officer Derek Evans. Petty Officer first class, Anthony Harrison. Petty Officer second class, Bon Dave. And the recruit Petty Officer, (drumming drowns other sounds) Alabama. (Drumming) (Drumming in background) Division 803. Commanded by chief Petty Officer (drumming drowns other sounds) Petty Officer first class, Steven Owkwins. Petty Officer first class, Juan Rambo. Petty Officer second class Jenifer`Durham. And their recruit chief Petty Officer, Steve Sanders Strath. From Starkville Colorado. (Drumming in background) Division 804. Commanded by chief Petty officer, Mattheal Mccougal. Petty officer first class, Rashell (drumming drowns other sounds) Petty Officer first class, Christian Roman. And their chief Petty Officer, Raymond Anthony Jacobo. Hacienda Heights, California.
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 challenge as 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 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. 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 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 are truly part 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.
Let us pray. God of grace on mighty and sovereign in the midst of unprecedented and unpredictable times, I give thanks for the grace bestowed upon all of these newest sailors of the fleet as they have met the Mark, overcome their challenges and have crossed this finish line together. As they reflect on their time here at recruit training, command, their trials, their joys friendships made, mentors gained, God I pray renew their commitment, strengthen their resolve, fortify, their determination. I pray God that one victory one success would produce many more to come in the lives of these sailors. As they go forth to further training and ultimately to their commands, God go with them. Grant them wisdom and guidance to navigate the path ahead, honor remembering the privilege they have to serve our nation courage and integrity to always do that, which is right even in the face of fear. commitment above all else to ship and ship mate. God instill in them a never ending respect and pride for the Naval heritage they now carry and represent. May they now and forever be a United States Sailor. These things I pray in your most Holy name. Amen. (Celebratory 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 gonna tell you. You’re gonna to 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 top side, a helicopter with 25 people has hit the back of the ship and fell into water. And now you go to mass casualty and start rescuing people. One of you is going to be eating on 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 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 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 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 Yes chief!
Are you ready?
[Recruits] Yes yes 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 shipmate. I look forward to seeing you in the fleet. I look forward to see your graduation tomorrow. Congratulations to your parents. Hoo-yah
[Recruits] Hoo-yah!