Quartermaster 1st Class Cortney Brown, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), will soon become reacquainted with the elements of boot camp lifestyle as she enters a 13-week training course to become an RDC.

Every Sailor can recall various aspects of their experience at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes - from the faint, and soon familiar, smell of black shoe polish, to the echoes of cadence from groups of soon-to-be Sailors running and marching nearby, to the unwelcomed up-close and personal yelling from seasoned Sailors as soon as the bus doors open.

Navy recruits are bombarded with a new reality after getting off that bus, but there is one feature of boot camp that remains ingrained in a Sailor's psyche for years to come, the sound of their recruit division commander's (RDC) voice.

Quartermaster 1st Class Cortney Brown, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), will soon become reacquainted with the elements of boot camp lifestyle as she enters a 13-week training course to become an RDC.

The RDC's job is to strip away shortcomings accumulated from recruits living in their comfort zones and expose a blank canvas in order to paint the image of a Sailor suitable to function in the Navy.

"I want to transform civilians into Sailors," said Brown. "Knowing that I will have an impact on their lives is really what makes me want to be an RDC."

Brown has displayed the proper demeanor and determination to garner recognition from her chain of command and recommendations from senior leadership to become an RDC.

"QM1 Brown has been an outstanding Sailor," said Chief Quartermaster Adam Bond. "She is a role model for anyone looking to see how to get ahead in the Navy."

Brown is currently the instructor for America's command indoctrination, a weeklong course that introduces new arrivals to the command, yet her passion for teaching stems to a time before she joined the Navy.

Prior to serving, Brown was a teacher at Old Shell Road and E.R. Dickson Elementary schools in Mobile, Alabama, where she taught kindergarten, first and fifth grades.

"It [teaching children] is no different than teaching adults," said Brown. "As long as they are willing to learn, they will be fine."

RDC's are expected to be motivated individuals, ranging in rank from petty officer second class to master chief petty officer, who hear the call to serve their country by molding tomorrow's Navy.

Sailors must submit a special screening package in order to become an RDC. Some of the requirements include a background check, recommendations from command master chiefs and commanding officers, and a body composition assessment.

Those who become RDC's can attain an array of benefits such as better advancement, 24 college credits toward a bachelor's degree and the chance to earn a master training specialist qualification.

"Training will be hard mentally and physically," said Brown. "In a way, I am afraid because of the unknown aspect."

Prospective RDC's must first undergo a rigorous training course that is separated into six phases culminating in a shadow experience where potential RDC's get on-the-job training.

"I am confident I will excel," said Brown with conviction. "I look forward to the opportunity."

Anyone interested in becoming a RDC should reference NAVADMIN 085/13 for additional information or contact the Shore Special Program Detailer DSN: 882-3855/COMM: 901-874-3855.

For more news from USS America (LHA 6), visit www.navy.mil/.