USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailors Visit RTC Recruit Division Sponsored by the Ship

Seven Sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) traveled to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes June 29 to visit a recruit division sponsored by the ship.

TR was represented by Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (SW/AW) Preston Whitlock, Chief Cryptological Technician (Technical) (SW/EXW) Tricia Ghunney, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/SW) Jason Etheridge, Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (AW/SW) Ronnie Williams, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW/AW) Berenice Mack, Cryptological Technician (Technical) 3rd Class (SW/AW) Nicole Thompson, and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Tyrell Morris.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) was the first of several ships to sponsor a boot camp division in 2004. Now TR is adding its name to the list of ships to participate in the sponsorship program.

The TR Sailors arrived on the recruits first day and met with them inside of their division’s compartment.

“It is amazing to see how much boot camp has changed since I went through back in 2004,” said Mack.

This is the first of four visits TR Sailors are slated to make to RTC to see their division. They will return for the division’s first physical readiness test, as well as to cheer them on when they go to battle stations and witness the division’s pass and review during their graduation.

“It is important that these recruits have someone outside of their recruit division commanders that they can ask questions and get advice about what they will experience once they make it to the fleet,” said Ghunney. “Sponsorship provides a two-way connection between the recruits and Sailors that will be vital as they begin their naval careers.”

TR presented the division with a custom-made guideon flag and TR t-shirts for the entire division.

“We wanted them to have something special to commemorate this sponsorship,” said Etheridge. “TR’s First Class Petty Officers Association purchased the flag for the division, we consider it an investment in our Navy’s future.”

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Naval Today Staff, July 10, 2012; Image: US Navy