New Navy Recruits - thank you for serving our country!

Yesterday I flew home from Baltimore.  I arrived at the airport early enough to boot up my laptop and download email so I hunted for an empty seat in the gate area.  Once I found a seat I noticed this group of young men and women seated together, all talking to each other in a way that made me think they were on a trip together.

The group includes:  Matt Kendall, Cecil Jonas, Macy Rakes, Courtney Roberts, Justin Vaugh and Travis Rice

I observed them for a while, enjoying their energy and upbeat spirit.  I noticed one had on a Navy ballcap and another had on a Navy sweatshirt.  Then it clicked - the flight was bound for Chicago.  These were Navy recruits headed to the Great Lakes Naval base.  I asked if that was the case and they all confirmed that was indeed their destination.

There was such cameraderie among them, I thought perhaps they were all friends and had enlisted together.  But that is not the case.  They had all met the previous day.

I asked them what their goals were in terms of serving in the Navy.  There were a variety of answers including:  Master at Arms, aviation airman, rescue swimmer, aviation ordinance, CTR cryptography.  One plans to become a Navy SEAL.  Two plan to become Navy Corpsmen.   (Side note: my dad was in the Navy for 20 years which makes me a "Navy Brat". He was stationed at Great Lakes when I was in kindergarten and first grade. I don't remember a lot - just the name of my teacher, lots and lots of snow and really tall snowmen. And I remember having a corpsman put stitches in my finger and my foot during separate trips to the hospital!)


Once in Chicago, they'll be transported to the Great Lakes Naval station, where they will complete 8 weeks of  "boot camp".  We talked about the fact that for the duration of boot camp they will not have access to phones or computers.  No communication with family.  One of my friends and co-worker has a son who completed his 8 weeks last year - its a tough time for moms! (and probably dads, too).

I hope to hear from them after they complete boot camp! 

A few facts about the Great Lakes Naval Training Center
-54,000 recruits complete basic training each year
-the base is 100 years old and underwent a $770 million renovation program (a 10 year project)
-almost all of the training is conducted indoors, including a 2 story facility for emergency sea rescue training