On a recent Saturday morning, I noticed that there were quite a few sailors at Midway airport getting ready to board planes to many different destinations. They all had graduated “boot camp” the day before and were headed to “A” school for additional training or to a ship in the fleet.
The only “boot camp” for enlisted Navy personnel is the Recruit Training Command Center (RTC) located at Great Lakes Naval Station.
This year they expect to train over 35.000 recruits. The goal of the recruit training is “To transform civilians into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Sailors who are ready for follow-on training and service to the fleet while instilling in them the highest standards of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.”
All enlisted Navy personnel must successfully complete the 8-week recruit-training program.
In addition to enlisted personnel the Navy also has Commissioned Officers. These officers are trained at the Naval Academy or as part of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program hosted at 77 schools throughout the United States. Officers will earn a college degree while they complete their officer training classes.
In many cases, the midshipman will receive a scholarship to pay the college tuition in exchange for a commitment to serve in the Navy for a set number of years. The Navy ROTC program will train both Naval Officers as well as Marine Officers.
Whether individuals choose to enter the Navy as an enlisted sailor or as a commissioned officer, they all follow the same Sailor’s Creed. “I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world. 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.”
