Graduates paraded across the silver-coated floor as more than 750 seaman recruits marked the moment they went from recruit to Sailor during the United States Navy Boot Camp pass-in-review (PIR) at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, Dec. 4.

Once a boot camp graduate himself, Capt. John B. Vliet, now commanding officer of Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, spoke to the recruits about what lies ahead in their Navy career.

"You are going to sacrifice," he said. "With sacrifice comes opportunity. You are the best and the brightest in this country. There's not a company, a college or a corporation that holds a candle to what you can do."

Vliet served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony and presented awards to the top Sailors during the PIR. Afterward, Vliet presented the Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award recipient, Seaman Recruit Brad Stallings, with a challenge coin and a gold watch.

Stallings said it was an honor to receive the awards and was excited for the possibilities his Navy career holds.

Before letting the new Sailors join their families for liberty, Vliet reminded the Sailors about being part of the greatest team in the world and to not forget the lessons learned during boot camp's culminating teamwork test.

"I want you to remember battle stations," he said. "When you're sacrificing and times seem tough, you can think back to battle stations. If you feel you're alone, you can look to the shipmate next to you and you remember battle stations and you remember teamwork."

Vliet said teamwork is one common bond that unites Sailors past, present and future.

"That's how we are in the United States Navy, we rely upon each other," he said.

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.