Members of the foreign Defense Attache toured Recruit Training Command (RTC) to observe recruit training, Sept. 13.

The 38 foreign military officers made the annual visit, sponsored by the chief of naval operations (CNO), to visit different Navy and Coast Guard commands.

John Atela, director, Office of Partner Engagement, escorted the officers as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Foreign Attaches Operations Orientation Program.

The visit provided the attaches with the opportunity to observe recruit training and the facilities. It also provided the attaches direct interaction with senior Department of Defense officials, helping to build relationships.

"We want to expose them to the way we do training in the U.S., especially for many of them where their country's military budget is so small in comparison," said Atela. "They are able to see our ability to pull together the program of recruit training where we are turning civilians into Sailors in eight weeks. They are impressed with the size and magnitude of the command and the resources that we have to be able to do that. They especially enjoy the interaction they have [with] the Sailors as well."

The foreign attaches began their tour with Battle Stations 21 aboard 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, watchstanding, loading and unloading supplies, and line handling.

The guests also saw Freedom Hall, the command's state-of-the-art, 187,000 square-foot physical training facility; USS Arizona, a recruit barracks and galley; and USS Missouri Small Arms Marksmanship Trainer (SAMT), where they had the opportunity to see how recruits learn to handle and fire the Navy's standard issue M9 Berretta pistol and the Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun. SAMT uses red laser lights and pneumatic air to simulate firing and hits on a computer target.

While at the USS Arizona, the group had the opportunity to dine with recruits.

"It's a really nice experience to talk to people from other countries and to give them insight into what we're doing, and then they have tips from what they're doing," said Seaman Recruit Darron Dean. "It really helps us grow as individuals that will eventually help us as a team, so if we pick up everything we have learned today and transfer it into our future sailor life, it will help us tremendously."

After seeing the facilities and speaking with recruits who are only midway through training, Rear Adm. William Truelove, Royal Canadian navy, was impressed by RTC's professional dedication and commitment.

"It reflects on the training these recruits have received in just five weeks, and they're all excited about where they are going next," said Truelove. "The facilities are state-of-the-art and the training system is attacking all of the right issues for them to be professionals to go on and serve."

The attaches included officers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Zambia.

"It was an honor to host Defense Attaches at Recruit Training Command and to showcase how we transform recruits into Sailors," said Capt. Mike Garrick, commanding officer, RTC. "We all benefited from the opportunity to discuss issues related to recruit-based training with these representatives of our allies, partners and friends from around the world."

RTC is primarily responsible for conducting the initial Navy orientation and training of new recruits. All enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their career at boot camp. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms familiarization, firefighting and shipboard damage control, lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork, and discipline.

RTC Great Lakes is the Navy's only basic training location. Approximately 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC to begin their Navy career.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/ or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/.