Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 sponsored USS Triton Recruit Division 001 at Recruit Training Center (RTC) Great Lakes, Illinois, as a part of the Navy's Recruit Division Sponsorship Program.

This is the second year EODESU 1 has participated in the program. Four teams of Sailors visited Great Lakes, each team during a different phase of recruit training, giving EODESU 1 Sailors a chance to observe training and interact with the brand new Sailors.

"Our leadership wanted to provide support last year after we heard of other commands sponsoring divisions at RTC providing mentorship and motivation to recruits," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Allan Ferraris, EODESU 1 command career counselor

To kick off the program, the first team attended the division's commissioning. During the division's commissioning, the EODESU 1 Guidon was presented to USS Triton Recruit Division 001. The guidon was then carried by one of the division's recruits any time the division marched during its eight weeks of basic training at RTC.

The second team of Sailors provided motivation for their division as they observed the final Physical Fitness Assessment.

The third team went to tour the USS Trayer, the ship used during the battle stations training event, attended the Capping Ceremony and the next day, attended the Captains Cup, which consisted of nine divisions competing to be the best division in a series of athletic events.

Commanding Officer EODESU 1, Cmdr. Albert Hornyak and Command Master Chief Bradley Rosenak were a part of the fourth and final visit to review the graduation of the division, Nov. 9.

"It was great having the opportunity to return to the RTC in Great Lakes to tour the training facilities and review the graduation ceremony for our sponsored division," said Rosenak. "I had not been there since I graduated in 1990."

Sponsoring a recruit division is win-win experience, for both sponsoring command and recruit division, by providing an opportunity for fleet Sailors to see first-hand what has changed, the caliber of training taking place and the quality individuals joining our Navy today.
For the recruits, it's an opportunity to interact with and ask questions of seasoned Sailors.

"The recruits had so many questions about the Navy and our experiences throughout our careers," said Ferraris. "You can tell that they couldn't wait to go to the fleet to have their own experiences and perform their jobs."

"It was truly amazing to see the changes and the advancements in training since my generation. The shipboard trainer and Battle Stations evolutions really bring a realistic feel to the training environment," said Rosenak. "I am impressed with the quality of our new accessions and the outstanding job the staff at RTC does in eight weeks, transforming these individuals into shipmates with the skills and drive to meet the challenges facing our nation and our Navy."

Sailors from the sponsored USS Triton Division 001 are continuing their naval training at various locations across the nation to learn their job-specific skills and soon will be joining their fellow Sailors in the fleet.

U.S. Navy EOD is the world's premier combat force for countering explosive hazards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage.

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