Seven hundred and twelve of the Navy's newest Sailors walked into the Midway Drill Hall to celebrate their boot camp graduation at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, May 6.

Capt. John B. Vliet, the reviewing officer for this ceremony and commanding officer of neighboring Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes, presided over the event.

"I'm humbled and I'm honored when I get this opportunity to speak to Sailors," said Vliet. "There's two futures, metaphorically speaking. There's your future, which is bright, and there's the Navy's future, which is bright because of you."

Before each of these recruits could become full-fledged Sailors, there was one final boot camp test they had to pass: Battle Stations 21, which serves as a final training exercise for all would-be Sailors.

"These Sailors have successfully completed Battle Stations and have earned the right to wear the uniform recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom," said Capt. W. Douglas Pfeifle, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command. "This training group is ready to graduate and serve in the world's most powerful Navy."

What now follows is rate-specific training that will qualify each Sailor for a specific duty within the Navy. These Sailors will make their way to various 'A' schools and apprentice-level training that will help sustain the Navy in the years to come. Their Navy careers are just beginning.

"The Navy has the most opportunities," Vliet said. "Some of you are going to be chiefs, some of you are going to be master chiefs, some of you are going to be officers, some of you will be civil engineers and some of you will get out honorably after four years and get your associate's degree, your bachelor's degree and your master's degree. Those opportunities are in your hands right now. Cherish those opportunities."

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.