Recruit Training Command (RTC) welcomed its new command master chief when Command Master Chief (SW/AW/IDW) Shawn Isbell relieved Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Matthew Laing during a ceremony held at Recruit Memorial Chapel Nov. 24.

Laing began his assignment at RTC in October 2013 following his previous tour of duty as Command Master Chief, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

"My take away from my second tour at RTC is that this command is still manned by the best team of professionals in the Navy," Laing said. "A tour of duty here at RTC is very demanding and it takes special people to accomplish the mission here. By special, I mean someone that is dedicated, can work well together with other people, has an outstanding work ethic and is humble."

According to Laing, he leaves RTC hoping that his work and leadership contributed to the success of the command.

"I hope to be remembered as a command master chief that held myself and everyone around me to very high standards," Laing said. "And also, as someone that had a no nonsense approach to training recruits and leading the staff."

Laing will go on to be the command master chief for Naval Service Training Command at Great Lakes.

Isbell comes to RTC following a tour as the command master chief aboard the USS New York.

With 22 years of naval service, eight of which have been as a command master chief, he has had plenty of experience. His previous command master chief tours include the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, United Sates Navy Ceremonial Guard and Task Group Trident. Isbell also served as a recruit division commander (RDC) from 2000 to 2003.

"My tour as a recruit division commander had a profound impact on my career," Isbell said. "The leadership training that I received during my time here was priceless. My hope is to pay it forward as the command master chief of RTC.

RTC is primarily responsible for conducting the initial Navy orientation and training of new recruits. The command is commonly referred to as "boot camp" or "recruit training."

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks, and all enlistees into the United States Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms familiarization, firefighting and shipboard damage control, lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline.

Since the closure of RTCs in Orlando and San Diego in 1994, RTC Great Lakes is, today, the Navy's only basic training location, and is known as "The Quarterdeck of the Navy." Today, approximately 38,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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