RTC GREAT LAKES - THE HISTORY

[@danbell1312]

I was there during the winter of 1997. Spent Christmas at boot camp. Division 030. Recruit Division Commanders were Senior Chief Bartlett and PO Romito. I think of my shipmates often.

[@JoseMartinez-fk9cm]

I did my basic training in great lakes 1961, fresh out of High school. those experiences will always be in my soul.

[@Myron_Majkowski]

Company 079, April 1990. Great memories!

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I was a PT instuctor at DH 1400 then, if you went to Happy Hour you faced me!!

[@mashup38i77]

I wonder how pissed my higher ups would be if I did a flip off the platform into the pool

[@aximmii]

I’m in NJROTC right now on my second year in high school of doing it and I love it. This Friday and Saturday we’re going up to Great Lakes for a PT/Academic/Drill competition. Watching this made me more excited to just even step foot inside there , and think of all the hard work people did there.

[@jackshittle]

Did you end up joining the Navy? I left for Great Lakes on March 26, 1990 & got out March 25, 1995. I'm from NJ so it was the first time I flew somewhere with only a one way ticket instead of roundtrip lol. Took off from Newark & got my last glimpse of Giants Stadium. I graduated in June, company 927 (drill team).

[@frankc.5430]

29 January 1965, Company 040. Company Commander J. Cashman CS1. Remember it to this day. Now, DIVE AND GIMME TWENTY!

[@vincenzospaghetti]

Notice that the recruits arrived all wearing a suit & tie... Thanks for sharing!

[@neilove8897]

Company 911 staff, February to May 1984. Lots of great memories.

[@piplup10203854]

My dad talks about how he remembers it and how it's so much different than today c: how cool

[@0159ralph]

Wow I was there from Sept 84 and graduated Gunners mate A school at NTC. In 1984 the Navy made us wear the White leggings and Duty belt. You also marched on the grinder and carried WW2 M1, rifles that you couldn't fire. The company commanders a Chief Toperdo Man, and a 2nd class petty officers would make us do the 96 ride count if we messed up on drill. I was 20 young and in shape. This sounds nuts but I would go back if I could.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

My Grandfather, Heber James Gill, taught mathematics 👨‍🏫 and aeronautics 🛩during World War One here. I keep hoping I'll find a photo of him in uniform someday. He had just received his college degree from Indiana University in 1917 when he reported to Great Lakes which was in it's 6th year of operation. He held the rank of Commander by the time he left at the war's end. Grandpa then went back to IU to get his Master's degree in Law. ⚖

[@Metfan1986]

I went through from Jan - Mar 1999. Last few groups through when we still wore dungarees, then they switched to the utilities (dickie style pants), now I don't know what they are thinking wearing blue cammys. My Dad went through in '69. Definitely different how things have changed even to today.

[@acitoneroyal6002]

I’ll always remember straddling & duck walkin over the water licks & onto the diving board: Cross your arms over the chest and jump off the diving board into the water. If you kick him scream, we will let you sync to the bottom and lose consciousness before we pull you out. I remember it well!! Co 318 (color) 1987!

[@georgegarcia1445]

I went through Boot Camp at Great Lakes in 1966.

[@mrchronicblack5810]

This is where I did my boot camp in 93. Wouldn't trade it for the world

[@MrSonMan1]

1978 company 909! Wow, time sure flies

[@Mark-OutWest]

How does the company commander at 1:25 meet physical fitness standards?

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

We know the answer but aren't allowed to say.

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I went to boot camp at RTC GL '75, came back as a Instructor in '88 made Chief there in '90, the last offical function of the Fire Fighting school in the middle of the golf course was our Chief Initition, I was 1 of 36 that made Chief there, and was #4 of 150 in my rateing, BTC (SW)

[@lorenzomaximo1818]

My how things have changed I went to Great Lakes RTC December 28 1970 through March 19th 1971. 12 weeks at the time. Train was 1903 Springfield Rifles. Camp Barry then to Camp Moffett. I tell you you don't want to go to RTC Great Lakes during the winter I froze my nuts off. Still have my Keel book from graduation day. Uniforms sure have changed you look pretty sharp today. All we had back then where's blue shirts and dungaree pants and the Dixie cup covers.

[@bluejacket9774]

RTC/NTC Great Lakes sep to dec 1976 company 941. Grew up in Maine so the cold didn't bother me too much. Looking at current boot camp video's, I immediately notice instructors screaming in the faces of recruits, like they were in Marine boot camp. Didn't have any of that crap back then. The Navy was so much cooler.

[@52Ricoman]

I was there from August to about November 1971 then to Gunners Mate A school to about April 72. I’m from California and the cold was horrible. I hated that they wouldn’t let you pull your watch cap over your ears. I went to WestPac after that on the USS St. Louis. Spent time out on the line in the Vietnam Nam combat zone. Had a great time in the bars of Olongapo, Phillippines, Okinawa, and Hong Kong. Came back and finished my time in Long Beach, California. My ship took a one months cruise to Acapulco, Mexico, Corinth, Nicaragua, and Panama City, Panama. Had a great time. Got out of active duty in 74 because I joined as a reservist.

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

Same for me. I went through boot from 10/1/69 to 12/5/69 and then back for Radar man A School until May 1970. Froze my balls of as well. I was lucky enough to get stationed in one of the old WW2 wooden barracks for A school...

[@lorenzomaximo1818]

@@bluejacket9774 I had a Mine man chief petty officer. He was pretty damn mellow. But our sister company had a first class Navy seal he was a real prick and was hard on them.

[@francissqueen]

Company 177 APRIL 1967.will never forget.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Sept. 1970 to Nov. 1970, actually graduated on my 18 th birthday! CO 339.

[@ghostrider-it5ru]

I was there at the tail end of '63. My Company was on the Grinder on Nov. 22, 1963 the day President Kennedy was assassinated.

[@ronaldclarkjr3528]

I went through Great Lakes from Feb 88 to April 88 company 050

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I was a PT instructor there then!

[@jerrymcdougle1385]

I was there for boot camp 9-74 to 12-74 .And MM A school 5-75 to 7-75 .

[@jeff1997o1]

1862, I'll never forget

[@joemackey1950]

July 1969 It's sure changed since my day....

[@Bellthorian]

I went to boot camp in 1987, there isn't a single building left that I can recognize on google earth. The only thing I do recognize is the tunnel under the road where we had to sing anchors away every time we marched through it.

[@andrewmartinez2116]

We still had to sing the song under the bridge as of 2021

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

The was 6 drill halls at one time

[@tstahler5420]

Half my company, me included fell down in the tunnel because of ice. Out CCs wanted to be pissed but they were laughing too hard. 😂

[@Bellthorian]

@@tstahler5420 LOL The same thing happened to us, one guy slipped and it was like dominoes.

[@tstahler5420]

I got to GL in Nov of 85. Apparently for some reason the civilian population had recently been rioting and had a real hard on for the Navy. As if Illinois needs another reason to be hated.

[@tommywilliams5734]

18 year old out of high school.. Oct thru Dec.1984 Rtc division 12 company 336. Chief Shaefbauer and First class Petty Officer Miller. After graduation, went across the street to Hospital Corps School.

[@jessetritschler6280]

There Dec. 84 Feb. 85. Jan.20-23 1985 set record cold temps. Windchill -86 degrees lots of snow lol.

[@neilove8897]

I was in Gunners Mate "C" school then. The only time I took off my waffle knit union suit was to take a shower or wash it. I think the wind chill was worse than that. Minus 20 degrees with 75 mph winds.

[@kristoferkristensen9021]

February -95. Had no idea that the inability to swim was so widespread. Also, regret joining. Sometimes wake up in cold sweat, thinking I'm still on the Lasalle. She's on the bottom of the ocean.

[@philchurch1115]

NTC/RTC San Diego company 200 Oct 82 to Dec 82 82 to 88 AZ2 VS-41 and VS-33 two west pacs.

[@enmaxus7210]

Company 906 Triple Threat. April 1986.

[@mentosmuncher]

903 triple threat August 2021

[@MrRed-tf7bv]

Company 188 1987🇺🇸 Petty 0fficer Carpenter & P.0. Kraterville

[@Engineer1897]

Great Lakes, Div.21 , Company 077, February 23, to April 26, 1987, Color Company. CCs MM1 ( SS ) Rayburn and MM1 (SS) Davis. Company Motto ( because CCs were both S.S.) : " Hidden from view, but way ahead of you ". ARPC Corrigan.

[@geraldmimms203]

RTC San Diego 1988 the hot grinder

[@johnoconnor6356]

Company 359 October-November 1986.

[@randywiley66]

Company 245 July 1986 Great Lakes

[@bigbadredsox]

I am still pissed that the navy closed the HM school.

[@paulw3101]

Aug '89 Co. 258

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

Was a PT instructor at DH 1400 then!

[@theunknown4570]

Co. 199 October 1991

[@sibua69]

Company C 200 July 1984 RTC orlando

[@ronwashburn1978]

I was there in 1875

[@carolannmiles-hughes6222]

You were?

[@danielcarter48]

Company 941 Sept 92

[@erichill612]

Great Lakes RTC Feb '86-Apr '86. Company 906 Triple Threat.

[@vanlouis9017]

Great Lakes Naval Training Center Company 334 1969

[@TheWorldNormMacDonald]

Too bad there are no videos showing mustard in '48

[@carolannmiles-hughes6222]

Neck tie parties from DOD/ AG\4 WHOM THE BELLS TOLL....CHITWN GOTCHA!😁 💋 Squids! What can i say?

[@frederickgiordani6717]

Dec 1990

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I was a instuctor at DH 1400 then

[@frankhall7005]

Company 278 Sept 5 1980

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

Starting I want to say around 2000 (Saw large equipment beginning to grow in numbers..) found out they wiped out All those Historic Buildings!! Including the Gym!! WHY?! They were JUST FINE when I was there Summer of 2000 Div. 399 Seawolf. But now? the only building I recognize is the chapel. All those old barracks and chowhalls etc.. GONE. Even the tunnel is different and when I was in they were trying to change the Song because it had "drinking" in it.. Stupid ASS PC from even then! >:/

[@426hemicuda]

Because all the old building were a health hazards. They contained Asbestos and the clean-up would cost more than new building costs. This money saved allowed for the development new Camp John Paul Jones base. Having a central galley (chow hall) was a waste of manpower. It was hurry up and wait, which sometimes included foul weather. Troops now can eat in their own barracks galley and use the addition time for more training.

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

@@426hemicuda ooooh!! 426HemiCuda?!!! =D I have a 354 Poly 1957 Chrysler and 57 Plymouth Belvedere! I digress.. not at all directing this at you but I do find it funny, 'Safety' seems to be always used to wipe out History. But I know, I served on the USS Stennis (CVN-74) where asbestos is still very much used. The Anchor Drum Styled brakes for instance which was directly below my divisions berthing are Asbestos, they even have painted bullseyes that state as much and they are VERY Large. Some of the equipment we used in V2 (Catapults/Arresting Gear) is asbestos. Anyways I have been wanting to tour the new facility there at Great Mistakes lol (wasn't a mistake for me!). As a retired combat veteran, are we allowed to visit? I do have my IRR card. So odd how they keep changing things, but you seem to know more than me about that place now. Interesting stuff. I recall marching everywhere. Wow the memories lol Hey, thanks for the info though and keep them cars sweet! =D /

[@ronwashburn1978]

1975

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

Co 062 '75 "Honorary Uncles"

[@louchelada8296]

Company 162..1986..place was looking old than...christ

[@dominationnation9033]

My Dad joined the Navy back when it was worth joining haha. The Navy is such a joke now.

[@chittybangbang7637]

How is it a joke now?

[@wordisbond9146]

- says virgin/nerd

[@harveydegroat3350]

Sept 74 co 333

[@yeoldesaltydog7415]

@@chittybangbang7637 if you have to ask, then you just do not know, and I don't want to write a Book.

[@randywiley66]

July 1986