Sailor's Tales: NTC History Project (2006)

For 75 years, more than 2 million Naval Training Center San Diego recruits matured and received the knowledge and skill required for the challenges of military duty. Now a shuttered navy base transforming to the new neighborhood of Liberty Station, NTC has been designated a historic property for its architectural and cultural significance. It continues to hold the memories of past generations of naval recruits whose lives were transformed. The NTC Foundation, which is overseeing the transformation of the NTC into a vibrant ARTS DISTRICT, in 2006 captured some of the stories of those whose lives were impacted by the Naval Training Center.

[@dukedriftwood]

I spent the summer of 1974 in boot camp there _ following on to A school there until the spring of '75.....great memories.

[@carlv8168]

My dad, now age 95 trained here and graduated with Company 132 in May of 1947. He then attended "C" School for his Lithographer rate at Naval Air Training Command in Millington, Tennessee. He would go on to serve 20 years until retirement as an E7. The Navy took him to many duty stations throughout his career, but he would end up in San Diego, where he still resides. As kids and dependents in the 1950s and 1960s, we enjoyed many activities and privileges at NTC and other naval bases in San Diego, like the gym, swimming pool, bowling alley and theaters. So proud of Dad's Navy service. Go Navy!

[@wfwillis]

Graduated in May 1962. I was a cocky 17 year old HS dropout that hated every minute of boot camp, but it was exactly what I needed at the time. CWO4 USN Ret.

[@rogerbloxham5381]

November 14, 1961, it really changed my life

[@rob46711]

The summer of 1992 I had attended Mess Management Specialist (MS) A school at NTC San Diego after going through boot camp at NTC Orlando. Spent 10 wonderful weeks there. Some great memories I have of my time at NTC San Diego.

[@cheftomsd]

I went to Commissaryman A school in 1971. Building 94 was brand new. In Reserves I was a Mess Specialist 2nd class.

[@haukepowers8491]

Boot Camp 21 June 1976 - 3 Sept 1976 ..Company 927, Company Commander Chief Neumann...We were referred to as a "special company".. Drum & Bugle Corps, Bluejacket Choir, Rifle Drill Team, and 50- State Flag Team...I also went there for Radioman "A" School 21 September 1976 - 23 Dec 1976...I LOVED San Diego !!!May God bless all of the instructors who touched my life...

[@rickheddeno4]

I was there that year also, a little before you, Company 922.

[@1SemperDad]

Both my father and I attended San Diego boot camp. He in 1949, and I in 1974. The bugle tune at the end of this video is called "Retreat" which is played at sunset when lowering the flag at the end of the workday. It's a call I remember well as a member of RTC's Drum and Bugle Corp. I had to play it several times a week during my training period.

[@frankgordon8829]

Whenever I hear any bugle call (Liberty, mail, retreat, etc.) I find myself more times than not humming with it. That stuff never leaves you. Orlando-1973

[@davidwolf226]

I, too, graduated from NTC in late 1970. We arrived after dark, so it was the next day that we all realized what a great-looking facility this was, aside from the barking of our Company Commanders. The lifetime friendships that started here have been enduring. The GD'd congress had their collective heads up their asses when they decided to close this base, but still allowed Great Lakes Naval Training Center, of all places, to remain open. Orlando was also a great location.

[@bimbo3011]

Graduated Dec 1972. I remember polishing my boots and on the other side of the fence was marine camp,

[@kellywilson8440]

Id give alot to go back to those days again , Co.075 april - june 1984 loved the US Navy !

[@Christracey889]

October 1988. Memories forever

[@MichaelWoods-vi5ue]

Went through boot camp there in the fall of 1972 but was surprised to hear recently that the San Diego boot camp is no more.

[@benjaminalban7205]

Feb 1968 boot camp. A school after that. A lot of memories

[@user-cq7lr5sl7r]

I was there also, March 1968, Co. 216. Probably marched and ate right next to you. Had a good tour of duty, A school and 3-1/2 years aboard the USS Yosemite AD19.

[@BransonWeather]

1986 RTC/NTC This is where I did my Boot Camp and A-School.

[@genewoody7187]

I will remember RTC/NTC San Diego, CA. forever. I went through boot camp there in 1961 and RM"A" School in 1961-1962. I also went through RM"B" School in 1969-1970.

[@MitchellBrown-su9dc]

I went through Radioman A Class School 🏫 there The Summer of 1980. 😁👀🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@davidpestella8322]

1983 RTC / NTC - Bootcamp Feb-May - RM "A" School May-Aug. Loved every minute of it. Retired 2003.

[@geronimogarcia2307]

Joined the Navy in 1951. Went to Camp Elliot for 3 weeks then to NTC SD for 9 more weeks of polishing up to become sailors. Liked it so much I retired in 1975.

[@Me2Lancer]

I'm so glad to see NTC San Diego being preserved. I arrived for boot camp the first week of June 1961 and served there though the end of August that year. We formed up and marched on the grinder every Friday afternoon during boot camp. Some guys would lock their knees and pass out during the ceremony. I served in Company 209, CC TM1 Willis. In doing so I was following my Dad who served there in the late 1930s and after boot camp joined the Drum and Bugle Corps and attended EM A School (Electricians Mate). This video brings back fond memories. It was the start of a Navy tour that took me through to May 1967. The Navy sent me to RD Radarman A school in Great Lakes.

[@maximilliangenius5572]

I spent roughly 8 weeks here in winter 1992 / 1993. I remember they served us steak & lobster at the chowhall on New Years day 1993!! (How many here remember that?)

[@cheftomsd]

I went to Commissaryman's (cook) A school in 1971 at NTC in the new at the time building 94. Great memories of night runs to Weinersnitzel on Rosecran's St which is still there. Also us boys would go to the EM club after dark for a few beers and on the return trip would pass by the Wave Barracks and couldn't resist tossing a few pebbles at the upper windows only to be chased off by a mad as hell, old Chief Wave. Lots of fun😂.

[@sarapbuhay5519]

I did bootcamp in San Diego May 1974, Company 127. Our company commander was ADRC Brunner. After graduation, I was sent to Boiler Technician "A" School in Great Lakes, Illinois.

[@ivansimms2802]

Company 921 end of July 1975. Lots of history at NTC San Diego,,,lots of memories. Nice to see that somebody thought to preserve some of it instead of just turning it all into a shopping mall or overpriced condos🤔

[@timtoolman4125]

1987, Co 905. Then went to the NTC for A school, BEE was well acquainted to FRED still have the fullest of training manuals. I volunteered Subs and headed off to sub school in Groton Conn. High light of my active duty was being on the Discovery Channel, Sharks of Steel.

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

Was there from Sept. to Dec. '87. Co. 180 4th Div. Went to Balboa for Hospital Corps A school.

[@alneal100]

I was a guest there from Nov.3rd, 1975, until my company (301) graduated at the middle of January, 1976.

[@samescobar1065]

November 1965, company 653, seven months later in Da Nang shore duty Vietnam

[@kwm123123]

I graduated NTC San Diego in May 1982. Great memories 🫡🇺🇸

[@richardjames4090]

I Graduated in 82 also but I can't remember the month. I think it was around June. What Company were you? I was 054.

[@themistero]

Bootcamp 5/89 company 175. I can't believe they would close bootcamp on the Pacific but leave the base at Great Lakes open. What logic is that? They should have left San Diego and Orlando.

[@graceburrell8800]

K. L. Burrell , September 1960. Still with me ,54years. Anyone recall my husband out there ?

[@user-db1mv2kk8p]

May of 85 I went through there, Company 102,Up to and Touching! Petty Officer Vighil was the CC

[@MitchellBrown-su9dc]

I was Stationed there 3 months Radioman A Class School 🏫 1980

[@user-cu7mt3iy1e]

I was there from Aug 72 to Sept 72, honor company 163 seamen recruit Wilson 🇺🇲 Boot camp was 7 weeks Needs bodies for Vietnam

[@paulkersey2179]

Corky sure took the city for a ride on this place.

[@brooklynnavyvet9543]

Boot camp March - May 1990. I wish I had videos of NTC/RTC back then

[@Crazy-Horse-Tx.]

Yep, I was there in Oct 1990 . All those memories in RTC will live with me 4/ever.

[@brooklynnavyvet9543]

@@Crazy-Horse-Tx. yeah, I just realized that I put 91. I was there in 90. I wish that they would have kept the barracks up instead of turning them into condos. Yes, the memories. I still want to go back to visit one day

[@Crazy-Horse-Tx.]

@@brooklynnavyvet9543 Yep, I had a chance with some of the other guys walking the old barracks that were not being used . I heard of the stories of the sailors that were injured during WWII in there and ghost stories. It is a damn shame how developers just take our memories into condos.

[@oldsalt7534]

Recruit Training Command San Diego Feb. 19-May 14, 1964. Company 158. Company Commander MMC James A. Hanley Jr.

[@Tuglife912]

I was never scared of those RDCs at RTC Great Lakes, IL in 2009. Interesting that they had a quiet sense of respect for me too because i knew my stuff and they knew it. I miss the Navy, wish I could have went to RTC San Diego, California instead of Great Lakes.

[@Tuglife912]

I was in Division 276 in 2009 at Great Lakes.

[@maximilliangenius5572]

Your instinct serves you correct..... Because Liberty weekend at NTC was phenomenal!!

[@DouglasUrantia]

My time in Boot was Jan 1966. The CC was a disaster. He thought it was his job to embarrass and humiliate the recruits as much as possible. He promist me Recuit Commander but gave me nothing except to clean dirty pans in the galley. After Boot of 13 weeks, I went on to work in three Admiral Commands. I had a lot of fun in the Navy after my miserable experience with that awful CC, who was a Ist Class ship's plumber. I would like to forget him.

[@user-cq7lr5sl7r]

The day we were to leave, waiting for the bus in our dress blues, another company commander had his company doing a vigerous physical training exercise in the parking lot. I was fortunate to not have that SOB as my CC. What a loser.

[@keithk2926]

Was there January 1962 comp 088,when on to Commission the USS Halsey DLG 23

[@joserizal1158]

USNTC May - July 1968, Co 321, SSC, SD "A" School August 1968, AK1, USN retired May 1989 and US Federal Service, VA/DEA retired July 1991 - November 2015

[@ces4399]

Attended boot, camp, RTC/NTC San Diego, 1981, Company 127.

[@billyfred4985]

basic training "boot camp" liberty station nimitz island may - aug 1977

[@JeffKramer622]

1979 Company 055

[@stevenkolodziejczyk5766]

1983 NTC San Diego Co. 150, Mess Management A School Anyone there at that time?

[@USNRaptor]

[@rickheddeno4]

I was there in 74. Late May to early Aug. Company 922.

[@ivansimms2802]

Right behind you there by a week. Mid May to late July Special Company 921

[@rickheddeno4]

@@ivansimms2802 very cool. I have not come across anyone from a special company from 74.

[@JohnJohnson-mq2vi]

i was ntc 1963 april to june co 177 then on to pearl harbor hi. i was 17

[@lawrencelewis5800]

July 1982 CO 930

[@mikestanley9176]

Co 160. July to September 1980. GMG 1 Parks and MM1 Cotrell. They should have cleaned up the old barracks and used them for homeless.

[@tonylittle8634]

I’d like to see who made out with 💰, with doing away with the NTC, as that’s prime real estate. The Marine Corps has two recruit training depots and the Corps is a smaller branch.

[@cnn787-i9e]

Oh yeah, somebody is profiting from this deal immensely.

[@LowKey201]

U said San Diego was a Navy town? What do u mean, it still is

[@johncerro7486]

NTC San Diego 1964 I was 17

[@oldsalt7534]

When in '64? I was there from Feb. 19-May 14 Company 158

[@cnn787-i9e]

Company 111

[@jessekauffman3336]

Went to “A” school there

[@MitchellBrown-su9dc]

Me also 1980 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jessekauffman3336]

@@MitchellBrown-su9dc was the bay across the street from the main gate there in 80?

[@MitchellBrown-su9dc]

Didn’t understand Bay across the street !!!!

[@jessekauffman3336]

bar across the street

[@MitchellBrown-su9dc]

Oh-Sorry 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 I’ve been to a few myself !!! 🥃🍺🍷🍾

[@kwm123123]

I graduated from RTC San Diego in July 1982. I wished I knew then what I know now! 😂 🇺🇸🫡