Thinking about joining the Navy? Here’s what boot camp is like

Jessica Evans
Aug 11, 2022 1:20 AM PDT
2 minute read
(U.S. Navy photo by Austin Rooney/Released)

(U.S. Navy photo by Austin Rooney/Released)

SUMMARY

It’s fun to make fun of the Navy. All those uniforms. Using bells to tell times. But the truth is…

It's fun to make fun of the Navy. All those uniforms. Using bells to tell times. But the truth is that Navy boot camp is no joke. Here's what a recruit can look forward to.

BLUF

Navy recruits must pass through a 10-week boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes before officially entering the military. One part of their training includes intensive training exercise (ITE), where recruits endure strenuous physical exercise for 40 minutes straight. The underlying message throughout the training is that in the Navy, there are no individuals. Everyone must work as a team. And, just so we're clear. This experience of recruits is similar to what you might expect elsewhere in the DoD. In fact, there's a 'moment of truth' all DoD hopefuls can look forward to, no matter which branch.

Before signing up for the Navy, you don’t need any special skills. The Navy takes the responsibility of transforming them into trained Sailors in top-notch physical shape. The early environment of Navy boot camp is designed to be stressful to show recruits that they can get through it. Many recruits describe the experience as a culture shock.

Week One

The first week of boot camp includes a physical assessment called the PACER test. Any recruit that doesn’t pass the test in two tries must move to another division where they will keep working until they can pass the test and advance. Week one also includes a special swimming test. All Navy service members must have a third-class swim qualification.

Week Two is usually a bit of a repeat in case there's anyone lagging behind. And it gives everyone a chance to reset expectations and calibrate their efforts.

181003-N-RT381-004 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (March 10, 2018) -- Chief Hospital Corpsman Jaime Kalaw, a recruit division commander at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, disciplines a new recruit during "Night of Arrival" at the Navy's only Boot Camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Austin Rooney/Released)

Week Three

Recruits experience a simulation of being aboard a Navy ship. They learn communication protocols, how to tie knots, safety, and the different roles of a ship’s crew. Time in the classroom is another element of learning to be a Sailor, where recruits learn and memorize the Navy language.

Weeks Four and Five

Recruits train in the proper use of gas masks. They enter a tear gas chamber and must remove their masks to fully understand the importance of getting gas mask use right.  Recruits are training to fight fires in case of a fire on board a Navy ship. Week five includes proper usage, assembly, and disassembly of the M9 Beretta pistol.

181003-N-RT381-008 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (March 10, 2018) -- Equipment Operator 1st Class Joseph Sperry introduces himself to new recruits in a berthing compartment at the Navy's only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Austin Rooney/Released)

The Battle Stations Event

Finally, recruits complete the Battle Stations event. This is where they train over one long night on a replica of a Navy destroyer ship. It is a culmination of everything they learned throughout boot camp, including 17 scenarios they have to solve. Upon successful completion of Battle Stations, recruits receive Navy ball caps to symbolize their transition to Sailors.

Graduation occurs during week 10, marking recruits’ official promotion to Navy Sailors.

Want to know more about military training? Here's how Marine snipers train to shoot from rotary-wing aircraft.

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