By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach
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 1st Class Travis Davis, a native of Pennsauken, New Jersey, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).
Davis, a 2015 graduate of Pennsauken High School, joined the Navy six years ago.
“I joined the Navy for education opportunities,” said Davis. “I’m working toward a degree in computer science.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Pennsauken.
“Growing up in Pennsauken, I learned how to hustle to achieve my goals,” said Davis. “Having a hustle mentality in the Navy got me ahead of the game getting qualifications and learning my job. I’ve advanced and achieved a lot because of that.”
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 skillsets.
“I enjoy educating the students on more than just being a sailor,” said Davis. “I also help them take care of themselves mentally. Educating them on how to carry themselves professionally and assisting them in elevating them past their potential is what I enjoy most.”
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.”
Davis 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 I can protect our liberties,” said Davis. “These liberties include freedom of speech and other basic living essentials. I want to protect those liberties for everyone in this country and help give them an opportunity to achieve everything they can in America.”
Davis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, Elijah and Helen, for giving me the motivation to join,” added Davis. “I also want to send a shoutout to my best friend, Dennis, who had a big impact on me joining the Navy. If it weren’t for my parents and my best friend, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.”
