| Navy boot camp is conducted at Recruit Training | | | | includes cleaning, loading weapons and stationary |
| Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. It is a nine-week | | | | as well as live target practice. The importance of |
| course and is physically and mentally taxing in the | | | | being out in the open is stressed, as navy recruits |
| life of a navy trainee. However, this is the period | | | | cannot utilize camouflage in the open sea. The |
| that transforms a raw trainee into a hardened | | | | fifth week is about career planning. Trainees are |
| sailor. The first week is more about ethics and | | | | encouraged to think about what navy post would |
| dress code. Trainees are taught how to dress up | | | | suit them. There are many one-on-one discussions |
| and how to fold and store their uniforms in their | | | | at this stage among trainees and the instructors. |
| bags. Haircuts are provided and basic modes of | | | | Live warfare simulation begins in the sixth week. |
| addressing the instructors are taught. This is more | | | | It includes planning of strategies and disaster |
| of a morale-boosting period than anything else. | | | | survivals. Gas-chamber drills are taught, which train |
| Confidence-building continues in the second week | | | | to get away from life-threatening situations. |
| and the fact that naval warfare is teamwork is | | | | Assignments are given to the trainees in the |
| emphasized upon. | | | | seventh week. There may be twelve of them, all |
| The third week is more detailed. It includes | | | | battle-oriented, which the trainees are expected |
| hands-on information that the naval recruit would | | | | to complete using the skills learnt in the previous |
| want in future. The art of navigating ships, | | | | weeks. |
| signaling with flags i.e. semaphore and reading ship | | | | This almost completes the navy boot camp. At |
| manuals, etc. is taught. This is also the time when | | | | the end, the trainee realizes what it takes to be a |
| money management lessons are given, which is | | | | sailor and whether he or she possesses those |
| necessary when away from home. | | | | qualities. When boot camp is completed, the |
| Weapon practice begins in the fourth week. M-16 | | | | trainee is called a sailor and is awarded the US |
| rifles and 12-gauge shotguns are used. Training | | | | Navy Ball Cap. |