ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 21, 2021) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Mackinze Hallhanna fires a .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Sept. 21, 2021. Kearsarge is conducting surface warfare advanced tactical training (SWATT). SWATT provides the fleet opportunities to complete the reps and sets required for increased lethality and tactical proficiency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse Schwab)

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From RTC:

Update 29 July: In light of observed changes and impact of the Coronavirus Delta Variant and out of an abundance of caution for our recruits, Sailors, staff, and guests, Recruit Training Command is restricting Pass-in-Review (recruit graduation) to ONLY fully immunized guests (14-days post final COVID vaccination dose). Specific information on this policy change will be provided in the coming days and weeks. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your support.
PLEASE NOTE – This policy is subject to change as leadership continues to monitor the spread and impact of the Coronavirus.

Pass-In-Review Ceremonies Return With Guests August 13th
Recruit Training Command will re-open boot camp graduation, or the Pass-In-Review ceremony, for a limited number of family members and guests beginning with graduation ceremonies August 13. Each recruit may invite two guests (max, no exceptions) to attend in person. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) Guests do not need to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 to attend. However, in order to ensure the health and safety of all, every person attending is required to wear face masks while indoors and observe social distancing protocols. If you are unable to wear a mask, you will not be able to attend, and will not be allowed into the facility. To help us ensure the health of our new Sailors and staff, and to take full advantage of all Naval Station facilities freely and unmasked (outdoors), we encourage you to be fully immunized before you arrive.

Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check this website for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office.
Live streaming of our graduations begin at 9 a.m. CST every Friday.

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Navy Recruit Training Command Graduation

17 September, 2021 - Training Group 43

Finishing Max’s mission — parents of corpsman killed in Kabul offered home for Afghan child

Retired Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Praxades was working to get Afghan citizens evacuated when he was contacted by Marines on the ground in Kabul.

Praxades, whose evacuation efforts included numerous interpreters he’d worked with, was informed that the mother of Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maxton “Max” W. Soviak had made contact with a heartbreaking request.

SECNAV urges sailors to stay safe following a rise in traffic fatalities

Amid a rise in fatal motor vehicle accidents across the fleet this fiscal year, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro released a message last week imploring sailors to stay safe on the roads.

With about two weeks left until the end of Fiscal Year 2021 on Sept. 30, the Navy has seen 17 four-wheeled private motor vehicle fatalities, up from five in Fiscal 2020, according to Naval Safety Center data.

Virginia Beach sailor dies in rip current incident

A Virginia Beach sailor died last weekend after being caught up in a rip current, according to the Navy.

The service said that Airman Recruit Ethan Eric Dumbuya, 23, died Saturday, Sept. 11 while swimming at Dam Neck Beach due to a rip current. The U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and local responders were all involved in a search before the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire Department recovered his body on Sept. 12.

To get F-35 performance-based logistics contract, Lockheed will have to give up tech data

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department could be ready to jump into a performance-based logistics contract with Lockheed Martin to sustain the F-35 as soon as its recently inked agreement expires in fiscal 2023, the Pentagon’s program executive said Wednesday.

Navy begins deep-sea recovery mission for remains of 5 sailors and helicopter wreckage

A deep-sea search began on Sept. 15 to retrieve the remains of five sailors and the wreckage of the Navy MH-60S helicopter that crashed on Aug. 31 off the coast of southern California, according to a statement from the Navy. Personnel from the Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) arrived at the presumed area of the wreckage along with the offshore supply ship Dominator, which has been used for similar recovery missions in the past. The exact location of the wreckage has not yet been confirmed.

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