The Rudder Revisited

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UPDATING ALWAYS IN PROGRESS: Tuesday, 26 March 2024 GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS YOU!!


WELCOME ABOARD!!!
This was our home for 6-11 weeks. Depending when you enlisted as to how many weeks of training you received. The Navy was always changing up how many weeks of training you would receive (based on the needs of the Navy). As per an article from 27 July 1973, it was announced recruit training would increase from 7.5 weeks to 9 weeks beginning 3 September 1973 for RTC San Diego, 17 September for RTC Orlando, and 10 October for RTC Great Lakes. If you enlisted in 1968, your 20 year mark was 1988 (30 years=1998). If you enlisted in 1994, your 20 year mark was 2014 (30 years=2024). This was the Navy's third Recruit Training Command for the time period of 1 October 1968 through 2 December 1994. The recruit training command was disestablished on 31 March 1995. On the 1st of October 1968, the first five male companies (001, 002, 003, 004, and 005) arrived. The first graduation was on Thursday, 12 December 1968. The guest speaker was supertitious, so the first graduation was held on a Thursday vice Friday. On the 13th of July 1972, the first two female companies arrived around 2000 hours. They commenced on 17 July 1972. The first graduation with females was on Friday, 22 September 1972, companies 3001 and 3002. On the 14th of October 1994, the last female company, K019 (3019) was the only female company remaining at RTC, were the last female company to Pass in Review. The last 6 male companies to graduate were 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, and 059. Company 059 was the last company to Pass in Review on the 2nd of December 1994.. This was the only Recruit Training Command for women. Prior to RTC Orlando, women trained at Hunter College (Lehman College, Bronx, NY during WWII), Great Lakes from the late 1940s to 1950, then at Bainbridge from 1950 to 1972 (22 years). On the 9th of June 1971, Staff members consiting of seven officers, two foreign exchange officers, and 50 enlisted women from Bainbridge, MD starting arriving at RTC Orlando. Bainbridge received their last company of WAVE Recruits on 31 March 1972. The final 150 women to train at Bainbridge graduated on 9 June 1972. No woman was ordered to Active Duty between 31 March and 17 July, until RTC Orlando opened its doors for first two female companies The women were placed on delayed enlistment program. Company size was 65 to 75 at Bainbridge, but would be 50 - 55 at Orlando. A total of 9 companies would be in training at all times, compared to the eight at Bainbridge. Recuit training was 10 weeks. Captain Mary A Gore was given orders to Bainbridge. The day she reported on board, she was instructed to report to RTC Orlando. She was the only Commanding Officer of Recruit Training Command (Women) at RTC Orlando. 1 April 1974, RTC(W) and RTC merged to make it the 'first co-ed' Navy Recruit Training Base. *when I complete the early history of the women of RTC Orlando, I will explain some of the controversy of WAVES, WON's, and WIN's terminology. The other two Recruit Training Commands were located in San Diego (ANCHOR) and Great Lakes (KEEL). RTC San Diego closed in 1993. RTC Great Lakes has been the ONLY Recruit Training Command since 1994 for both men and women.
Sources for this website: RUDDER Shipmates of "The Rudder Revisited" Group Pass in Reviews (PIRs) All Hands NARA Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Naval Training Bulletin Great Lakes Bulletin Information Bulletin Base Newspapers (Recruit and Navigator) Company Commander Guide Newspaper Subscription (Ancestry and NewspaperArchives) Defense Base Closure and Realignment Military Construction Appropriations Navy Chaplains Bulletin Navy Civil Engineer Naval Reservist MWR Leisure Edition WAVES Newsletters

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