MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 24, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) attach a cargo hook to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 during a vertical replenishment drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), March 24, 2023. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. 6th Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cryton Vandiesal)

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The Latest Guidance - Revised Pass-in-Review Policy 

Due to a change in COVID-19 status, as of Nov. 10, guests attending the weekly graduation ceremony are no longer required to show proof of vaccination to gain access to Recruit Training Command Great Lakes.

However, with the removal of mask wearing and vaccinations, guests should take whatever precautions they deem appropriate for themselves based on their personal risk factors. Vaccinations and subsequent boosters are still strongly recommended by the CDC. Disposable masks are available at the front desk of the RTC visitors center for guests who may wish to utilize one.

The number of guests allowed has increased to four, unless there are 11 or more divisions when the maximum number of guests is three. If you have already submitted your guest security access form listing two individuals, please have additional guest information ready to provide to your recruit when they call. All guests must have a ticket including active duty personnel and veterans. (Children 2 & under do not count toward the guest limit.) COVID-19 immunizations are still required for guest attendance. Guests 12 or older need to provide proof of immunization (14 days post final dose,) in the form of a COVID-19 vaccination record card, to attend. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination, you will not be issued tickets and will not be able to attend graduation. REMINDER: Policies regarding the graduation ceremony can change at any time due to changes in our health protection status and policy. Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office.

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Navy Recruit Training Command Graduation

24 March 2023

Training Group 15 : Divisions 067, 068, 069, 070, 071, 072, 915

Navy ousts two commanding officers for loss of confidence

The Navy relieved two commanding officers on Wednesday — both due to loss of confidence in their abilities to command.

Both Capt. Michael D. Nordeen, commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock Mesa Verde, and Cmdr. Alexa Jenkins, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer Carney, assumed command of their respective ships in the summer of 2022.

Navy officially stops booting and disciplining COVID vaccine refusers

The Navy has officially stopped separating sailors who refuse the COVID vaccine, a fleetwide order that follows Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Jan. 10 directive to end the mandate.

In a Jan. 11 naval administrative message, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman noted that all commands will “immediately discontinue administrative separation processing of Navy Service Members solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, including those with approved separation letters.”

USS Nimitz operates in South China Sea for first time this deployment

The aircraft carrier Nimitz started operating in the South China Sea last week for the first time since deploying last month.

The Nimitz and its strike group, which arrived in the South China Sea on Jan. 12, is carrying out maritime strike training, anti-submarine operations, integrated multi-domain and joint training between surface and air elements, and flight operations while there.

Navy T-6B trainer aircraft crashes in Alabama

A Navy T-6B Texan II turboprop trainer aircraft crashed Tuesday morning in Alabama in a remote, unpopulated area, according to the service.

“At approximately 10:50 a.m. CST, a Navy instructor pilot and a student aviator ejected from a T-6B Texan II, assigned to Training Air Wing 5, in the vicinity of Barin Naval Outlying Field near Foley, Alabama,” the Chief of Naval Air Training said in a statement Tuesday.

Fleet Forces team tackles ‘decoupling’ destroyers from carriers

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is pursuing several efforts meant to make it easier for the East Coast fleet to deploy ships in new ways — and potentially in greater numbers — to the European theater.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command is working on an initiative to make destroyers more independent of carrier strike groups during the deployment phase of the Navy’s force-generation plan, even as Naval Surface Forces is working to make them more operationally available in the sustainment phase that follows.

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