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  • Gjenvick-Gjønvik's
    GG Archives
    Anderson, SC USA

Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp Yearbook Collection

 

Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp Yearbook Collection

Commissioned in 1911, the United States Naval Training Center located at Great Lakes, Illinois, played a significant role in training over 125,000 men during the First World War and over 1 million Bluejackets during World War II.

The Keel, a publication crafted for each graduating Recruit Training Command Class, served as a personal testament to their time at the Training Center. It featured their names, portraits, Company Commanders, and Commanders of the Training Center, offering a unique insight into their transformative journey.

In 1994, the Great Lakes Recruit Training Command (RTC) became the US Navy's only recruit training facility.

 

Introduction

The GG Archives' "Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks" page provides a comprehensive collection of "The Keel" yearbooks from the United States Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. These yearbooks document the experiences of recruits from various graduating classes, including photographs, rosters, and commanders’ details, spanning decades from 1947 to 2010.

 

USNTC Great Lakes Recruit Rosters & Photos

1947-1949 | 1950-1954 | 1955-1960 | 1961-1964 | 1965-1969 | 1970-2010

 

Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1947-1949

 

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========== 1948 ==========

 

 

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Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1950-1954

 

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Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1955-1960

 

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Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1961-1964

 

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Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1965-1969

 

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========== 1968 ==========

 

 

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========== 1969 ==========

 

 

Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks - Great Lakes 1970-2010

 

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========== 2010 ==========

 

 

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The Company Commanders

 

Company Commanders were typically USN Petty Officers, First Class with one of the following designations (specialty). The number following their designated specialty was the class (C = Chief, 1 = First, 2 = Second, 3 = Third).

  • Electronics Technician (ET)
  • Fire Control Technician (FC)
  • Gunners Mate (GM)
  • Interior Communications Technician (IC)
  • Boatswain's Mate (BM)
  • Hospital Corpsman (HM)
  • Electrician's Mate (EM)
  • Culinary Specialist (CS)

 

Main Entrace to the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes circa 1948

Main Entrance to the United States Naval Training Center at Great Lakes circa 1948

 

Trying to find where to order a replacement USNTC graduation book? We offer this guide to Finding a Replacement for Your NTC Boot Camp Book to assist you in your search. Also check our Great Lakes NTC Graduation Books Wanted page.

 

Key Points

  • Historical Significance: The Great Lakes NTC trained over a million Navy recruits during WWII.
  • Content Overview: Yearbooks feature recruit photos, names, and leadership details.
  • Collection Span: The archives cover classes from 1947-2010.

 

Summary

The GG Archives offers an extensive digital collection of Navy Boot Camp yearbooks from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, highlighting the training and graduation of recruits from 1947 to 2010. Each yearbook, known as "The Keel," provides a snapshot of Navy life and training, featuring photographs, rosters, and detailed records of recruits and commanders. The archive serves as a valuable resource for military historians, genealogists, and those interested in naval heritage.

 

Conclusion

The "Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp Yearbooks" page on GG Archives provides a valuable resource for exploring the history and legacy of U.S. Navy training. The preserved yearbooks capture the stories of countless recruits, serving as a tribute to their dedication and service.

 

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