Twin Brothers Aim for Dive Program

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (NNS) -- As summer begins and high school graduates look forward to jobs and college, two students from Williamsburg High School are making final preparations to join the U.S. Navy on June 7.

Twin brothers Sidney and Stuart McMillin are both entering recruit training with the ultimate goal of becoming Navy divers.

To apply for the Navy diver program a high level of physical fitness is required. Exercises are timed and include a 1.5 mile run, 500 yard swim, pushups, sit ups and pull ups.

"These two are natural athletes and are born to swim," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (AW/SS) Joshua Campbell, who recruited the McMillin twins. "Their school doesn't have a pool and the twins have been getting up at 5 a.m. every morning and driving 30 minutes to swim laps in Iowa City."

Sidney and Stuart have been swimming competitively for the past 10 years and have implemented workouts focused on running, arm strength and core stability, as well as using one another for support.

"I've had strong support here at home," said Sidney. "My dad has been telling us about his time in the Navy, and Stu and I are always there for one another."

The McMillin twins were inspired to join the Navy when they participated in the SEAL challenge at the University of Iowa. Their father, a former Sailor, worked on computer systems for the Navy.

"These boys know what they want to do and that's to make a career in the Navy as a diver," said Campbell. "Their determination and motivation are an inspiration to young and future Sailors, and even Sailors like myself who have been in the service for years."

While Sidney entered the Delayed Entry Program in September and Stuart entered in October, both will be attending boot camp at Great Lakes, Ill. June 7.

"As the countdown gets closer I find myself getting nervous and excited," said Stuart. "Because right now I know that in my gut I want to make Navy Diver my career."


For more news from Navy Recruiting District Minneapolis, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdm/.