NS Mayport Sponsors Recruits

Division 338 resides in "Ship #9, USS John F. Kennedy" aboard the installation.

Three command representatives from Naval Station Mayport traveled to Great Lakes to take part in the official commissioning ceremony of the division that bears the namesake of Mayport's mighty carrier which decommissioned in 2006 and to introduce Mayport as the command sponsor Aug. 17-18.

The individuals who represented Mayport during the initial trip to RTC Great Lakes were Senior Chief Electronic Technician (SS/SW) Mark Prince, Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling (AW/SW) Lester Cruz and Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels 1st Class (AW/SW) Raymond Valentin.

"It was a great opportunity to get back to the place where it all began. It brought back so many memories to see the recruits in the beginning stages of their training and it was an honor to answer their questions and provide them with valuable feedback to what lies in their future," said Valentin.

The Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) showed an overwhelming level of hospitality and allowed Mayport Sailors to get a first-hand view of the training the recruits were receiving. The representatives followed the recruits to chow, physical training and every other aspect of training while they visited and even had the chance to fall back into formation and march in step with the recruits. They also received a tour of the multi-million dollar, two-level, physical training facility that boasts four indoor, climate-controlled running tracks and an indoor swimming pool.

"This is my first time having a command-sponsored division and I can already see the impact Mayport is making in the recruits opinions of their decision to join the Navy," said RDC Chief Electronic Technician (SW) Dan Trainor. "Taking the time out of your busy schedules to come here for a site visit and to show genuine concern for their success through their training is going to make the hard times around here a bit more bearable for them and knowing you are behind them will make all the difference in the world."

Later into the visit, Naval Station Mayport Chief's Mess presented an embroidered command flag to the recruits which will be staffed proudly while they are in formation next to the division guideon and displayed outside of the barracks when the recruits are in house. The Naval Station Mayport First Class Petty Officer Association presented the recruits with a framed letter of sponsorship and picture of the Mayport basin.

In the official letter, Naval Station Mayport Commanding Officer, Capt. Aaron Bowman noted, "I would like to personally wish you the best of luck and congratulate you on your endeavor to join the ranks of the finest men and women our country has to offer. The future of our Navy now lies in your hands and Naval Station Mayport proudly stands behind you on your journey into the fleet."

Division 338 took the presence of new personnel in their training quarters with caution but as time went by they relaxed a little and flooded the representatives with questions about the fleet, rates and quality of life issues.

"It was good to see actual Fleet Sailors here and it was comforting knowing that the Sailors outside of the gates of RTC Great Lakes are normal people," said Recruit Petty Officer in Charge (RPOC), Seaman Recruit April Holiness. "I really enjoyed the visit from Naval Station Mayport and feel lucky to be one of the divisions with an outside influence."

The command representatives, including Bowman will be returning to RTC Great Lakes to take part in damage control training and to attend the graduation/pass-in-review of Division 338 during the last week in September.

This week, Naval Station Mayport will send a package to the division which will include motivating letters, slide shows of the command and t-shirts which the recruits will wear during the Captain's Cup Challenge. If you would like to take part in this evolution, please contact CDMCM (SW/AW) Deborah Davidson at Deborah.davidson@navy.mil or ETCS (SS/SW) Mark Prince at mark.h.prince@navy.mil.