You’re tuning in for part one of this two-part special on Navy boot camp. I am joined by fellow Military.com reporter Konstantin Toropin. He’s also a Navy veteran who went through boot camp here at Naval Station Great Lakes 15 years ago. Over two days, we were given exclusive access by the Navy to get an inside look at how it makes sailors. And after a number of changes were made to the program in the last several years, we came to find out what’s so different – and is it still hard, or has the Navy gone soft, as some veterans insist?
And is that even the right question?
Additional Resources
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Transcript:
SPEAKERS
Konstantin Toropin, Announcement, Recruits, BM2 Lindsey Liles, LT Arturo Melendez, Diana Foster, FSCP Officer, Chaplain, RDC, Drew F. Lawrence, Chief Petty Officer David Bevels, RDC Student, Captain of Trayer, Recruit
Drew F. Lawrence
This episode contains strong language. Listener discretion is advised. It’s after 2 a.m. and the Navy recruits are tired. They’re on a 210 foot-long replica of the USS Trayer, a destroyer. The air is hot, sweaty, salty and chlorinated. About 40 recruits are packed into a compartment of the ship. Bright fluorescent bulbs light the rows of tan wall lockers and dark blue hats the sailor-hopefuls wear reading RECRUIT. The brims help hide long blinks and bags under bloodshot eyes. A couple sneak yawns and stretch sore…
