RTC Commissions Two New Barracks
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081125-13
Release Date: 11/25/2008 6:05:00 AM
By Scott A. Thornbloom, Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs Office
NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- Recruit Training Command (RTC) commissioned its two newest barracks, USS Arleigh Burke and USS Hopper Nov. 17, marking one more step toward the completion of a 12-year, $770 million recapitalization of facilities and infrastructure at RTC.
"Today we mark another step in the improvement of our facilities here at RTC. We also honor two destroyers in the Navy today and note the long legacies of two great serving naval officers – Admiral Arleigh Burke and Rear Admiral Grace Hopper," said Capt. John W. Peterson, the commanding officer of RTC.
"It is an honor to be able to continue these legacies with the commissioning of these two namesake barracks."
The barracks are two of the final three to be built as part of the recapitalization program, which began in 1998 through a joint effort between Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and the Chicago-based construction and design company CBZG, LLC. The new facilities will significantly enhance both recruit training and the living environment.
Together, the barracks encompass 306,000 square feet and will accommodate up to 24 recruit divisions (2,112 recruits) during any eight to 10 week training period of recruit training. USS Hopper will be integrated with male and female recruits, while USS Arleigh Burke will be the primary barracks used by male recruits assigned as candidates to Naval Special Warfare operator ratings (SEALs or special operators; Navy diver; special boat operators or SWCC; and explosive ordnance).
"Burke and Hopper represent the stretch run of a 10-year makeover for Recruit Training Command and the United States Navy and is a sustained investment that will approach $800 million, when all is said and done," said Capt. Jake Washington, commanding officer, NAVFAC Midwest.
"I feel fortunate to be stationed here from 1997 to 2000 when the cause was being made to rebuild the Navy's lone boot camp from the ground up."
Burke and Hopper are sized to the Department of Defense standard of 72 square-feet per recruit for an open-bay training barracks, and each barracks is equipped with a galley, two traditional classrooms and two computer learning centers, as well as berthing and space for close order drill and physical training.
Two representatives for the two destroyers, USS Areigh Burke (DDG 51), homeported in Norfolk, Va., and USS Hopper (DDG 70), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cmdr. Daniel E. Voth, the former commanding officer of Burke and Lt. Cmdr. Jana A. Vavasseur, the present executive officer of Hopper, talked about want it meant to them and to the present crews of each ship to have the two barracks named after them.
"When Arleigh Burke was commissioned in 1991, Admiral Burke told the commissioning crew 'this ship is built to fight, and you had better know how.' Admiral Burke's efforts have made our entire Navy today built to fight in one way or the other," Voth said.
"In the spirit of Admiral Burke, it's only fitting to challenge all who will be part of the training organization and mostly importantly the young patriots who will march through these doors ready to learn for many years to come."
Vavasseur reminded the crowd how Rear Adm. Hopper used to challenge herself and Sailors with her motto of "Dare to do."
"USS Hopper will now 'Dare to do' the Sailors that train in this barracks to always challenge themselves to do great things for their Navy and in their lives to expect opportunities and make the most of them," said Vavasseur.
In addition, a plaque was presented to USS Hopper by the United States Navy Memorial Foundation. The plaque was an exact duplicate cast in bronze from the same mold of the ship's plaque presented to USS Hopper (DDG 70) at the ship's commissioning Sept. 6, 1997. After the ribbon cutting, RTC staff manned each ship and brought each "ship" to life just like Burke and Hopper were brought to life at each commissioning.
The two barracks are named for guided missile destroyers currently deployed. The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), homeported at Norfolk Naval Station, Va., is named for highly decorated Adm. Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, who also served as a chief of naval operations after the Korean War. The USS Hopper (DDG 70), homeported at Pearl Harbor, is named for Rear Adm. "Amazing" Grace Hopper, a pioneer naval computer scientist and the Navy's first female admiral.
For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.
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