What does it really take to transform a civilian into a United States Sailor?

In Episode 5 of All In. Always., I continue my Navy journey with one of the most demanding—and rewarding—assignments of my 24-year career: serving as a Chief Petty Officer and Recruit Division Commander at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois.

From January 2012 through June 2015, I helped push 14 recruit divisions through Navy boot camp. But before I could train recruits, I had to learn how to be an RDC myself. That meant roughly 16 weeks of intense qualification, inspections, training, and being held to many of the same standards we would eventually demand from our recruits. I even got held back during the final phase of training—an experience that was frustrating at the time but ultimately taught me an important lesson in humility.

In this episode, I walk through Navy boot camp from the RDC side: processing, those first chaotic days, inspections, training, long hours, discipline, setbacks, and the gradual transformation that happens as a group of civilians begins functioning as a Navy division.

Being “on the street” meant days that could run from roughly 0400 to 2200. Holidays, weekends, birthdays, and family events didn't stop the training schedule. For two of my three years at Great Lakes, that was life.

Between those tours pushing divisions, I served as a Battle Stations 21 facilitator, working overnight at the capstone event recruits must complete before graduation. Battle Stations represents one of the defining moments of boot camp: the point when recruits prove they can apply what they've learned and earn the right to be called Sailors.

This episode isn't just about yelling, marching, inspections, or making racks. It's about leadership, accountability, humility, sacrifice, and the responsibility that comes with being trusted to prepare the next generation of Sailors.

I came to Great Lakes as a Chief Petty Officer.

I left having helped turn hundreds of civilians into United States Sailors.

This was my time as an RDC.

⚓ All In. Always. tells the story of my 24-year Navy career—from the flight line and deployments to leadership, training, and the experiences that shaped the Sailor and leader I became.

If you served, went through Great Lakes, pushed divisions as an RDC, or have a boot camp story of your own, drop it in the comments. And if you're following the journey, subscribe so you don't miss the next chapter.

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All In. Always.
The stories behind the service.