I was a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) from 2002-2005 so I may be able to answer any questions you may have about what your recruit can expect to go through while at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. I trained over 650 of my own recruits and assisted other RDCs in training over 1000 more recruits.
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I actually went to boot camp and then BE/E in Orlando from May to October 1985. Then to ET "A" school in Great Lakes from November to July. Summer in Florida and winter in Great Lakes. Not a good start!
Mark Mangus said:
I was there when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel. LOL Actually, I was at Great Lakes for bootcamp and "A" school, August 1976 - March 1977. I was in company 76-936 Triple Threat and OS "A" school before it was moved to Dam Neck, VA.
I actually went to boot camp and then BE/E in Orlando from May to October 1985. Then to ET "A" school in Great Lakes from November to July. Summer in Florida and winter in Great Lakes. Not a good start!
Mark Mangus said:
I was there when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel. LOL Actually, I was at Great Lakes for bootcamp and "A" school, August 1976 - March 1977. I was in company 76-936 Triple Threat and OS "A" school before it was moved to Dam Neck, VA.
I was there when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel. LOL Actually, I was at Great Lakes for bootcamp and "A" school, August 1976 - March 1977. I was in company 76-936 Triple Threat and OS "A" school before it was moved to Dam Neck, VA.
Before my son left for GL, Dec1, he was in a meeting with some sub divers. They talked to him about Nukes also being asked about their interest in diving. He was very interested. I think I saw the training is in addition to boot after PIR there at GL. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm wondering if he's being asked or this is something they will even get to. He's scheduled for A school in Charleston.
Just to pick a small nit: RTC no longer has companies - they are now called divisions. This is in keeping with our terminology in the fleet. And because we don't have companies, we no longer have Company Commanders. We now have Recruit Division Commanders (RDC). And to keep recruits (and RDCs) out of trouble, two RDCs are required to be with the recruits at all times between reveille and taps. (The exception to the two RDC rule is during holiday routine when only one RDC is required to be present.)
V/r,
KastIron
YNC(SW/AW) Erica H. Grubb said:
Marty, Boot Camp goes on even over the holidays. In the Navy we have what we call "Holiday Routine". Classes will not be held but depending on each company will determine what happens on Christmas. All will be allowed to attend a religious service if the wish. If a company is close to graduation they may not have the Company Commanders around. Each "Ship" does have Senior Leadership available at all times. If a company is in week one or two the Company Commanders will be there to continue training (nothing harsh or to demanding).
" I noticed 1 per Division is recognized as Honor Graduates. My question is: What criteria is or was used to determine this award?"
The RDCs decide who deserves the honor of being honor recruit. Usually, we pick the recruit who has been a top performer in all aspects of recruit training - academically, physically, inspections, teamwork, etc. (Sometimes, RDCs will allow the division to vote on who they think should be the honor recruit. I personally don't like that method.)
"And what do the following Awards represent, I don't recognise the abreviations: MOWW Award Of Merit & MOAA Award"
The MOWW is the Military Order Of The World Wars and the MOAA is the Military Officers Association Of America award. I don't know how those honors are selected because they are chosen from outside the division. The RDCs have no input into those. But you can be sure the recruits selected for those honors have been top-notch recruits during the entire training period.
Paul said:
KastIron, I noticed on the RTC site that they recognize quite a few of the sailors at PIR. I noticed 1 per Division is recognized as Honor Graduates. My question is: What criteria is or was used to determine this award? And what do the following Awards represent, I don't recognise the abreviations: MOWW Award Of Merit & MOAA Award
"What if he becomes interested in Spec Ops or trying for Seals? Would he have the opportunity durin boot to explore that?"
With the caveat I have been gone almost 5 years and things do change: Yes, he will have the opportunity to try out for SEALs. The test is pretty brutal, though, so if he is not the ultimate specimen of manhood, he will have difficulties.
"Do the RDCs have any input into selecting SRs for things like Rescue swimmer, diver, etc., if they see someone with special athletic ability, swimming abilityand so forth?"
Short answer: No.
Long answer: RDCs may suggest to a particular recruit to try out. But in all honesty, we really don't have time to determine if a recruit is suitable for those programs. We are just trying to create basically trained Sailors in a jam-packed schedule.
I will say, though, RDCs are authorized to meritoriously advance a certain percentage of the division to the next higher paygrade: E-1 to E-2 and E-2 to E-3. As I recall, that percentage is around ten so anywhere from 6-8 recruits could get promoted based on their performance in boot camp. Of course, RDCs are not required to submit anyone for advancement.
Jim Butler said:
KastIron, Thank you for your service, and thanks for visiting this site.
My question is really two parts.
Our son signed up for AECF. He graduates from boot on 1/29/2010. What if he becomes interested in Spec Ops or trying for Seals? Would he have the opportunity durin boot to explore that?
Do the RDCs have any input into selecting SRs for things like Rescue swimmer, diver, etc., if they see someone with special athletic ability, swimming abilityand so forth?
Marty,
Boot Camp goes on even over the holidays. In the Navy we have what we call "Holiday Routine". Classes will not be held but depending on each company will determine what happens on Christmas. All will be allowed to attend a religious service if the wish.
If a company is close to graduation they may not have the Company Commanders around. Each "Ship" does have Senior Leadership available at all times. If a company is in week one or two the Company Commanders will be there to continue training (nothing harsh or to demanding).
Replies
KastIron said:
I actually went to boot camp and then BE/E in Orlando from May to October 1985. Then to ET "A" school in Great Lakes from November to July. Summer in Florida and winter in Great Lakes. Not a good start!
Mark Mangus said:
What do you mean by "when I was there?"
Blue Ropes today are RDC school students who will put on a red rope upon graduation and start training their own recruits.
Mark Mangus said:
Just to pick a small nit: RTC no longer has companies - they are now called divisions. This is in keeping with our terminology in the fleet. And because we don't have companies, we no longer have Company Commanders. We now have Recruit Division Commanders (RDC). And to keep recruits (and RDCs) out of trouble, two RDCs are required to be with the recruits at all times between reveille and taps. (The exception to the two RDC rule is during holiday routine when only one RDC is required to be present.)
V/r,
KastIron
YNC(SW/AW) Erica H. Grubb said:
Paul said:
You're welcome. It was my privilege.
"What if he becomes interested in Spec Ops or trying for Seals? Would he have the opportunity durin boot to explore that?"
With the caveat I have been gone almost 5 years and things do change: Yes, he will have the opportunity to try out for SEALs. The test is pretty brutal, though, so if he is not the ultimate specimen of manhood, he will have difficulties.
"Do the RDCs have any input into selecting SRs for things like Rescue swimmer, diver, etc., if they see someone with special athletic ability, swimming abilityand so forth?"
Short answer: No.
Long answer: RDCs may suggest to a particular recruit to try out. But in all honesty, we really don't have time to determine if a recruit is suitable for those programs. We are just trying to create basically trained Sailors in a jam-packed schedule.
I will say, though, RDCs are authorized to meritoriously advance a certain percentage of the division to the next higher paygrade: E-1 to E-2 and E-2 to E-3. As I recall, that percentage is around ten so anywhere from 6-8 recruits could get promoted based on their performance in boot camp. Of course, RDCs are not required to submit anyone for advancement.
Jim Butler said:
Boot Camp goes on even over the holidays. In the Navy we have what we call "Holiday Routine". Classes will not be held but depending on each company will determine what happens on Christmas. All will be allowed to attend a religious service if the wish.
If a company is close to graduation they may not have the Company Commanders around. Each "Ship" does have Senior Leadership available at all times. If a company is in week one or two the Company Commanders will be there to continue training (nothing harsh or to demanding).
V/r
YNC
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