Interesting info on Processing Weeks

[SCNavyMom (Ship 02 DIV 906)]

Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois

Processing Week

The Atlantic Fleet Drill Hall in Camp John Paul Jones at RTC Great Lakes, completed in December 2007.

Navy Recruits begin their journey at Building 1405, Golden Thirteen, the Recruit In-processing Center in Camp Moffett. Recruits arrive at all hours, but mostly during the night. Before formal training can begin at Recruit Training Command, Recruits are screened medically, dentally, and administratively.^[10] They receive a thorough round of inoculations, an initial issue of uniforms, and their first military haircut. They are taught basic grooming standards, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), standards of conduct, and are introduced to their Recruit Division Commander (drill instructor).

This first week of training, called P-Days (processing days), lasts for approximately five days but can run a little longer depending on weekends, holidays, and the schedule of arriving Recruits. During P-days, Recruits will be taught the basics of watch standing, they will be given information to memorize, and they will begin learning to organize their gear. P-Days conclude with a commissioning ceremony, led by the Recruit's Group Commander (Ship's Officer) in which their division's guidon (divisional flag displaying division number) is unrolled. This ceremony marks the official start of their training.^[10]

It is considered by many recruits to be the hardest part of basic training.

Week One

Recruits march from their "ship" barracks named for USS Chicago.

This week is considered the most intense week of physical conditioning. Recruits take their initial swim qualification test, learn military drill, the details of rank and rating, and the Navy core values.

Week Two

During Week Two, recruits learn the Navy chain of command, custom and courtesies, and basic watchstanding.

Week Three

A Recruit Division Commander conducts "Instructional Training" to correct substandard performance during boot camp.

Week Three consists of hands-on training. Recruits learn laws of armed conflict, personal finance, basic seamanship, shipboard communication, and Navy ship and aircraft identification. Recruits also take their first physical training test, performing as many sit-ups and push ups as they can in two minutes and a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) timed run, the times for the run, and the amount of push-ups, and sit ups are determined based on the recruits age, which ranges from 18 to 34. Dog tags are distributed this week, and recruits receive their first paychecks.

Week Four

Week Four mostly consists of weapons training. Recruits are familiarized with the M9 pistol, and the Mossberg 500 shotgun. Sometime during the week recruits receive a classroom lecture on firearm safety and operation of the M9, and the Mossberg 500. Later, recruits receive live fire training with each firearm.

For the past few years training of the M16 Rifle to Naval Recruits has ceased. Any training on the M16 is done outside RTC Great Lakes.

Week Five

Week Five consists of learning more of drill instructions need from the military drill assessment. Week Five is also called "Hell Week", previously as this was when new recruits take over the daily chores necessary to keep the base running. However, since the redesign of RTC, recruits no longer participate in all aspects of daily chores. It has kept its moniker because this is the most inspection and test intensive week.

Week Six

Training at the Recruit Training Command's fire fighting school.

During Week Six, recruits learn shipboard damage control and firefighting skills. Recruits will learn to escape smoke-filled compartments, open and close watertight doors, use self-contained breathing apparatus, carry fire hoses and learn to extinguish fires. Week Six also consists of the Confidence Chamber (tear gas chamber).

Week Seven

A recruit graduation at USS Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall.

Week Seven is the last week of Navy Basic Training. These seven weeks, combined with Processing Week, make up the approximate eight week training cycle that each Recruit must complete before graduating. Week seven includes a comprehensive test of the material covered by Navy Basic Training in a grueling 12 hour exercise called "Battle Stations". This reinforces much of the instruction learned during Basic Training. Recruits must pass all the requirements of Basic Training to participate in "Battle Stations". Once Recruits have successfully completed "Battle Stations" they become Sailors, don their Navy Ball Cap and Pass In Review (PIR) at the USS Midway, Ceremonial Drill Hall, officially marking their graduation and entrance into the United States Navy.

Chain of Command

The recruit chain of command is one of the required knowledge portions of Recruits in training. Recruits may be asked questions about who is in their chain of command at any time during their time in training.

The current chain of command as of 16 May 2012 is as follows:

President of the United States - Barack Obama

Secretary of Defense - Leon Panetta

Secretary of the Navy - Ray Mabus

Chief of Naval Operations - ADM Jonathan W. Greenert

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy - Michael D. Stevens

Commander Naval Education and Training Command - RADM Donald P. Quinn

Naval Education & Training Command Force Master Chief - FORCM (AW/SW) April D. Beldo

Commander Naval Service Training Command - RADM David F. Steindl

Naval Service Training Command, Command Master Chief - CMDCM (AW/SW) Brian A. Hughes

Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command - CAPT John T. Dye

Recruit Training Command Command Master Chief - CMDCM (MCD/PJ/SW/FMF) Christopher R. Angstead

Executive Officer, Recruit Training Command - CDR Kathryn A. Scott

Military Training Director, Recruit Training Command - CDR Darrell Neeley

Other parts of the recruit Chain of Command include: Fleet Commander, Fleet LCPO, Ships officer, Ships LCPO, and finally the three or four Recruit Division Commanders. These are given to the Recruits upon arrival at RTC Great Lakes.

Though he is not in the formal chain of command, recruits must also know the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden