Members of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) organization visited Recruit Training Command (RTC) Jan. 25-26 to learn how the Navy transforms recruits into combat-ready Sailors.

BENS is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization comprised of senior business and industry executives who volunteer their time and expertise to help address national security challenges.

Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, commander, Naval Education and Training Command, guided the group as they observed recruits at various stages of training.

"Basic military training is a critical component of our 'Street to Fleet' continuum," said Cozad. "We are fortunate BENS could tour recruit training to see firsthand what it takes to transform civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat-ready warfighters, ready for service in the fleet."

The tour involved comprehensive demonstrations of each critical skill and core competency that recruits spend eight weeks developing. The hands-on learning curriculum includes marksmanship, firefighting and damage control, physical fitness, seamanship, and watchstanding. The training is designed to build a foundation for recruits by practicing each skill persistently, exactly how they are expected to perform as Sailors in the Fleet.

"It's really a privilege to observe up close what you may have only experienced based on news or other stories," said Sandy Stitzlein, a senior vice president for Wells Fargo and a BENS member. "Seeing it all on a personal basis really brings home how much of a sacrifice all of these individuals make to preserve our freedoms."

BENS members also witnessed how recruits' skills are evaluated through Battle Stations-21, which is a 210-foot-long replica of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named USS Trayer. Aboard Trayer, the Navy's largest simulator, recruits experience a series of overnight scenarios designed to put their newly developed skills to the test. Following their night of seamanship evolutions, man overboard drills, maneuvering navigational hazards, and fighting real fires and flooding in a controlled environment, recruits officially earn their Navy ball cap and the right to be called a Sailor.

"The last 48 hours has been fantastic," said Josh Wellner, a BENS senior executive and former Navy Lieutenant and Surface Warfare Officer. "I think what the Navy is doing to produce the future war fighter is amazing! What I saw coming out of 'the factory' here at boot camp has been good quality Sailors and exponentially better prepared to be ready to fight once they get to a ship."

Wellner thought the training he saw is producing Sailors that are capable to show up on board a ship ready to go from day one.

"I believe they can show up on a ship, thanks to the training they are receiving here today and thanks to their final evolution at Battle Stations, and be ready to fight the ship," Wellner said.

The visit concluded with graduation, where 928 recruits became the newest members of the U.S. Navy. Cozad served as the reviewing officer and keynote speaker, providing the new Sailors with a few words of wisdom before they report to their next command, which for many will be a mission-specific school to teach them the technical skills for their specific rating or occupation.

"You'll be part of a team committed to ensuring our great nation remains capable of protecting and defending those we love and those democratic ideals we all hold dear," said Cozad. "You join that team with an incredible responsibility to yourselves, your shipmates and your Navy."

Cozad also recognized the efforts of the recruit division commanders (RDC) and how important the support of family members and friends has been to the success of the graduates.

Recruit Training Command leadership appreciated the opportunity to highlight the hard work and results of Navy basic military training to the BENS visitors.

Recruit Training Command 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 Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.