Tar Heel native serves where future Navy warfighters train

GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS - 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 Second Class Odera Weaks, a native of Tar Heel, North Carolina, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Weaks, a 2017 graduate of West Bladen High School, joined the Navy six years ago.

“I joined the Navy to further my college education, explore the world and work alongside dedicated and exceptional people,” said Weaks.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tar Heel.

“I learned that dedication and effort are crucial for achieving any goal, which is important in the environment of the Navy,” said Weaks. “Also, the sense of community taught me the importance of teamwork and supporting those around me.”

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 NSGL 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 skillsets.

“I enjoy seeing the growth and development of sailors,” said Weaks. “Guiding them as they acquire new skills about something as simple as tying knots or as strategic as learning the steps to anchoring makes me feel good about the knowledge and experiences that I am sharing with them every day. Watching sailors achieve their goals and knowing I played a part in their success story is a fulfilling and motivating aspect of my role as an instructor.”

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.”

Weaks serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means being part of something greater than myself,” said Weaks.

Weaks is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my father, James Weaks,” added Weaks. “He always pushed me to choose anything in this world to do, and he always reassured me I would succeed as long as I keep God first. Without that, I do not think I would have made it this far.”