Comments by "William Cattr" (@williamcattr267) on "What Navy Recruits Go Through In Boot Camp | Boot Camp | Business Insider" video.

  1. My grandfather (WW2) and father (Vietnam) went to Great Lakes. My time at GL in 1992 (22nd Div. Co. 129) was a bit different in a few ways. For 14:56 (the gun range), we didn’t have a holster strapped to us. Instead, the 1911 pistol (as opposed to the M92 shown in this video) was placed on the table, and we each lined up single file behind several table that were parallel to each other at the range. From this point, we fired three magazines in total. That was it. However, the instructors made it clear that if we picked up the pistol without being instructed to do so or if we pointed it anywhere other than down range, they would be justified in shooting us dead. As for ball caps, the only headgear we wore in basic training back then was either a black knit cap (or watch cap) or a white cover. Since I was there in July, we had to wear the black knit watch cap when we got cycled. Had it been winter, that might have been an advantage. Didn't get a ball cap until we got to the fleet (CVN-69, V-1 Division). Now, back at the recruitment center in my home town, they gave us a ball cap with "Navy" on it, but we were not going to be wearing it to basic. In those days, if you went to whatever branch recruiter, they usually gave you something. What they now call the "confidence chamber" also seemed different. I remember the ceiling being much, much lower, and the gas exposure felt far more intense. The lower ceiling kept the gas closer to your eye level. As for some of the notable uniform changes, our dress whites had no stipes or stars on them, and the biggest difference is that we didn't wear BDU type uniforms, we wore the dungarees. Also, for our pass and review graduation ceremony, we didn't wear ribbons or name tags, or even rank patches.
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  2. Yes, but that teamwork mindset will serve you well in any civilian career endeavor. I can see the difference from my own experience in the Navy. I work with people who have never served in any of our military branches, and it shows for most of them. They think as indiviudlas and less as team members out to achieve a common purpose.
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