The Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Bill Moran served as reviewing officer and delivered remarks for recruit graduation at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Sept. 29.

Moran also toured training spaces and held an all-hands call with RTC military and civilian staff. His visit kicked off with a tour of USS Trayer (BST-21), a 210-foot Arleigh Burke-class destroyer simulator; the largest in the Navy.

Battle Stations 21 is the capstone event that culminates eight weeks of boot camp training. Each recruit must complete 17 scenarios during a 12-hour, overnight period. The scenarios encompass all training learned during boot camp from firefighting to preventing and stopping flooding in a ship compartment. There are also casualty evacuations, watch standing, loading and unloading supplies, and line handling.

Moran was also able to attend the recruit capping ceremony following their successful completion of BST-21 where they trade their "Recruit" ball caps for "Navy" ball caps.

Following the capping ceremony, Moran travelled to the Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall where a graduation ceremony for nine divisions comprised of 733 recruits was held. In addition to serving as reviewing officer, Moran also relayed a strong message to the graduating recruits.

"I want you to remember one thing when you walk out of here, and that is how proud we are of you," Moran said. "We want you to come to our side to join the very best Navy that has ever existed on this planet. Uphold those values; make us better because of the training you got here."

Following the graduation, Moran continued on to observe recruit training evolutions covering firefighting, seamanship, watchstanding, and emergency situation responses at seven recruit training ships across the base.

Moran ended his visit with an all-hands call at the Recruit Memorial Chapel for RTC staff where he discussed disaster relief efforts, the importance of the training done at RTC and beyond, and answered questions from staff members regarding recruitment processes, military family member employment opportunities, and the Navy's ongoing mission to provide presence and protection around the world.

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks long and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms training, 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/.