GREAT LAKES, Ill. - Sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Hirtreiter, of Park Falls, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).
Hirtreiter graduated from Butternut High School in 2017 and joined the Navy seven years ago.
“I joined the Navy to uphold a family tradition and to experience new cultures from all around the world,” said Hirtreiter. "Being able to travel and provide aid and assistance to others was a major driving force for enlisting."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Park Falls.
“Growing up in a small town, I learned the importance of trusting those around you,” said Hirtreiter. "Being able to count on others to do the right thing and get the job done is no different than counting on a shipmate to do the same."
During the 10 weeks at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms marksmanship.
NSGL is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp. Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports more than 50 tenant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.
Two commands at NETC are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC GL). Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skill sets.
“Being there for the students when they have questions about their careers or training and being able to provide them with the answers or information they need is incredibly rewarding,” said Hirtreiter. "I enjoy participating in the graduations every week and seeing sailor's growth from their first day at the schoolhouse to the last."
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
"We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day," said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. "Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Hirtreiter serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Being able to serve in the United States Navy is the highest privilege I've ever received,” said Hirtreiter. "To be able to work with some of the most patriotic and motivated people all coming together to accomplish the mission is almost unreal."
Hirtreiter is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank all my family and friends for all the support they give me,” added Hirtreiter. "Since I enlisted, I've received nothing but positivity and motivation day in and day out from all of them."
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