Navy Boot Camp Company Commander

Company 61-493 Commander R E Discoe BM1. Great Lakes Yearbook "The Keel," 1961. GGA Image ID # 219ae9731c

Introduction

The article "Navy Boot Camp Company Commander" details the role of a Company Commander at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. The commander is a seasoned chief or petty officer responsible for leading and training new Navy recruits.

The Company Commander is an outstanding chief or first-class petty officer selected as part of the corps of company commanders at Great Lakes.

Before assuming command of his first company, the Company Commander undergoes rigorous training in instructional techniques, leadership principles, and administrative procedures. This training, conducted at various schools within the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, equips him with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead effectively.

The company commander instructs his recruits how to keep themselves, their clothing, their equipment, and their living quarters in a smart and ship-shape manner while he leads them in military and physical drills so that they gain military proficiency and physical stamina.

He also helps them exercise increasing amounts of individual and group responsibility as they grow in the self-discipline necessary to carry out the exacting routines of life as men of the United States Navy.

The company commander is genuinely interested in the needs, welfare, and problems of the recruits he commands. He must be formal yet friendly so that though he is fully and firmly in control, the recruits do not have to hesitate to approach him for his assistance with their problems or for his referral to the appropriate member of the Navy's professional corps: The chaplain, the medical officer, or the legal officer.

Above all, the Company Commander serves as an inspiring role model for the recruits, embodying the qualities of a successful Navyman. His conduct and leadership provide a blueprint for the recruits to follow as they navigate their careers in the Navy and their roles as responsible citizens.

Key Points

• Leadership Role: Company Commanders guide recruits in discipline, physical fitness, and military skills.
• Training and Support: Emphasis on leadership, instruction, and personal development.
• Mentorship: Commanders serve as role models for recruits.

Summary

Company Commanders at Great Lakes are pivotal in shaping recruits' naval careers through rigorous training and mentorship.

Conclusion

The article highlights the importance of Company Commanders in fostering discipline, responsibility, and excellence among Navy recruits.