While Recruit Division Commanders spend eight weeks in front of their divisions training recruits at Recruit Training Command, there is one recruit per division who stands out and in front of the division. That recruit, known as RCPO, serves as the leader of the pack - the Recruit Chief Petty Officer.

This recruit is chosen by their RDCs to represent the division throughout their time at the Navy's only boot camp.

An RCPO is the primary recruit assistant to RDCs and is responsible for maintaining good order, discipline, and security within the division; ensuring compliance with standing orders and regulations; assisting RDCs with implementation of schedules; and reporting any abnormal conditions to RDCs, including violations of good order, discipline and security when RDCs are not present.

"We have to see something in them in order to pick them. They need to have leadership qualities, get tasks done correctly and quickly, be good role models and motivators," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Analia Ovalle, who has been an RDC for the past two and a half years. "It takes courage to volunteer to do such a big job in the first few days of boot camp."

The RCPO has to stand out from the very beginning of training and make the decision to stand up and volunteer to have more responsibilities added to their already busy schedules.

While the recruits must learn seamanship, firearms, firefighting, shipboard training, Navy heritage and core values as well as maintaining physical fitness standards, the RCPO must be able to also learn the other jobs of division such as yeoman, master-at-arms, section leaders, port watch and starboard watch.

"Not only do they have to learn the RCPO job and all the jobs in the house, they also have to learn how to lead a division while marching," said Ovalle. "They have to be able to call instructions and commands, learn traffic patterns, and handle the cutlass correctly."

One way Fleet Quality Assurance inspectors assesses the recruits' training is to conduct inspections on the compartment and their uniforms to instill attention to detail.

"When we walk through the door of a compartment before conducting an inspection, we want to see a confident RCPO with a great command voice. We want to see leadership starting from right here at RTC," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Yamilka Carvajal, an FQA inspector.

While the majority of RCPOs are chosen during the very first week of training, not all of them will live up to the stringent demands of the position. Such recruits are replaced by another recruit of the RDCs' choosing.

"It's not for everyone, some recruits try and just don't cut it due to CO's top 6 violations, bad attitude, not being a good example, bad role model, lazy RCPO, deviating, too sensitive, immature, or simply don't put in the time and effort to be RCPO," said Naval Aircrewman Helicopter 1st Class Michael Gionet, a new RDC. "They have to want and deserve it."

Such was the case for Seaman Recruit Joshua Fleming, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana who served as RCPO of his division for only six weeks after being chosen to replace the original chosen recruit.

"Being RCPO is a lot different than how I normally lead, as prior to boot camp I was more of a silent person," said Fleming. "Here, I have had to lead by example, so it really got me outside of my comfort zone and I became comfortable with being uncomfortable. In a sense, I grew into the position and I began to like it more and more."

After eight weeks of training, the recruits participate in their pass-in-review graduation ceremony where the RCPOs lead their divisions into Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall in front of thousands of guests. Leading their division into the drill hall is an earned privilege these recruits have worked hard for, which also lends to favorable start of their naval careers.

"I am very proud because my family is coming and they'll see me lead my division," said Seaman Recruit Jenny Nocas, 24, of Tyler, Texas. "I've loved this position as it's very different from the other jobs because you have so many people to take care of and you want everyone to do well - it's not about you, it's about the entire division. Even though one person messes up it's my fault, too, because that means I didn't watch them well enough."

Nocas began as a section leader of her division and was promoted to RCPO only two weeks prior to graduation, when she replaced the original RCPO.

"Being an effective RCPO shows how a strong but humble leader can really impact the division as a whole, because it helps encourage them and keep them motivated," said Nocas.

For Fleming, that sense of teamwork is what he believes made for his successful leadership role during boot camp.

"The best part of being RCPO is that I got to know everyone in my division on a personal level, making sure that they're alright, that they're getting through their boot camp. I had a lot of interactions with people when they weren't mentally strong or physically strong and we got to work on it together," said Fleming. "It took a couple of recruits to show me how special being RCPO was and how much was on the line with being RCPO and then the sense of pride obviously, but more of a contained pride. I'm definitely proud of being in this position."

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. About 30,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc/

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For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.