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Navy Boot Camp Articles

In the course of his training the recruit receives both a basic indoctrination in the many skills he will need as a Bluejacket and a broad picture of the entire Navy, its history, traditions, and customs.

Physical training, inoculation against diseases, and training in first aid, physical hygiene, and related subjects form another major part of the recruit training program. Coupled with wholesome food and the active but healthful environment of the training camps, this program results in a noticeable improvement in the physical condition of most recruits.

A sharp break between civilian and Navy life, recruit training is the basic element in any man's time in the Naval service. It is the Anchor of a career in your Navy.

Articles On Boot Camp Life, Procedures, History, Etc.

Main Entrance to the Bainbridge USNTC ca early 1950s

Bainbridge NTC Boot Camp History

The Bainbridge Training Center was first activated on October I, 1942, and ten days later was in operation training the newly arrived recruits. At the conclusion of hostilities on V-J Day, August 14, 1945, the Recruit Training Command had trained a total of 244,277 recruits to man the ships and far flung bases of our wartime Navy.

Competitive Flags at Navy Boot Camp

Competitive Flags at Navy Boot Camp

The flags carried by the companies are earned by them In competition with other recruit companies In all phases of recruit training. In addition to the privilege of carrying these flags with the company, the winning of them enables the company to obtain extra liberties.

 

Admiral Lambert, Captain Gore and a Recruit Commander on Graduation Day.

A Feminine Finale at Bainbridge - July 1972

The last formal graduation at Bainbridge was held on May 12, with the graduation of company 28-1972. Although four companies remained at Bainbridge to complete their basic training, no more formal graduation ceremonies were scheduled.

Main Entrance to the Great Lakes USNTC

Great Lakes Naval Training Center History

THE NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, Great Lakes, Illinois, had its start in 1904 when a board appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt selected two adjoining farms north of Lake Bluff, Illinois, as a site for a naval training station.

Large Portrait Photo - Company 61-493 Commander R E Discoe BM1

Navy Boot Camp Company Commander

The Company Commander is an outstanding chief or first class petty officer who has been selected as part of the corps of company commanders at Great Lakes (or any of the other NTCs).

Finding United States Navy Boot Camp Graduation Books

Finding United States Navy Boot Camp Graduation Books

According the Recruit Training Command, the longer the time after the publication of a yearbook, the less likely you are to be able to obtain a copy. Recruit Training Command contracts with a publisher for a certain number of copies based on the size of the recruit division and pre-sale of the yearbook.

Company Front

Types of Recruit Companies at Great Lakes NTC

There are two types of recruit companies at Great Lakes—regular companies and special unit companies. Although both receive identical curriculum instruction as well as physical and military training, they differ most in their activities during evenings and weekends.

US Navy Wave Recruits Study "This is Your Navy" Book, a Supplement to the Bluejackets Manual.

The Story of WAVES Recruit Training

Public Law 625, passed in June, 1948, marked a new era in the history of the armed services. For the first time women outside the medical services were to become an integral part of the regulars, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy.

 

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US Naval Training Centers
Graduation Yearbooks Collection
GG Archives

NTC/RTC Boot Camp Yearbook Sections

US Navy Archives

The Folks Behind the GG Archives

The GG Archives is the work and passion of two people, Paul Gjenvick, a professional archivist, and Evelyne Gjenvick, a curator. Paul earned a Masters of Archival Studies - a terminal degree from Clayton State University in Georgia, where he studied under renowned archivist Richard Pearce-Moses. Our research into the RMS Laconia and SS Bergensfjord, the ships that brought two members of the Gjønvik family from Norway to the United States in the early 20th century, has helped us design our site for other genealogists. The extent of original materials at the GG Archives can be very beneficial when researching your family's migration from Europe.