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RTC Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100804-08
8/4/2010

By Brian Walsh, Recruit Training Command Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill., (NNS) -- Recruit Training Command (RTC) held a change of command ceremony July 23 at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill.

After serving two years as commanding officer at RTC, retiring Capt. John W. Peterson turned over operations of the Navy's only boot camp to Capt. Steve G. Bethke at the ceremony.

More than 500 special guests, Sailors and civilians were in attendance to bid farewell to Peterson, who has served in the Navy for nearly 31 years.

"From my very first day in uniform in the summer of 1975 to today, it has been a remarkable experience – the challenges, the adventures and the shipmates were amazing," said Peterson. "If any of us wrote down our stories, they would have to put it on the fiction shelf - they were that remarkable."

Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, attended the ceremony as guest speaker and took a few moments to thank Peterson for his honorable and dedicated service.

"The most important thing about Capt. John Peterson, what I most appreciate about him, is his passion for our Sailors," said Harvey. "John is an outstanding surface warfare officer, and as an operator, he understands that it really always comes down to the people...it always has and it always will."

Peterson noted that throughout his time in uniform, he has shared three tours with Harvey.

"I could not ask for a better leader, mentor, shipmate or friend," Peterson said. "Nor could the recruit training mission ask for a more able champion."

During Peterson's assignment at RTC, he oversaw the completion of the 12-year $770 million recapitalization project, which consisted of the construction of 14 barracks, three drill halls and five other training and administrative buildings. The recap reduced both the average length of a training day and the overall length of training, resulting in reduced costs to taxpayers and the Navy.

"The investment is remarkable in terms of vision and capital but far more remarkable is the Navy's investment in the thousands of Sailors and small cadre of talented civilians that are Recruit Training Command," said Peterson. "Here is really where Sailorization happens. These are the people who give richly of their lives, their time and energy, their honor, courage and commitment, to form the Navy of tomorrow."

Over his career, Peterson has commanded the USS Hercules (PHM 2) and USS Hopper (DDG 70) and served as commodore, Destroyer Squadron 50.

Before taking the helm of RTC, Bethke served at the Analysis Division, Programs and Resources Directorate at North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo. An aviator, Bethke has also completed tours on board USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and with four patrol and reconnaissance squadrons, VP 17, VP 30, VP 47 and VP 4.

"As I took command of Recruit Training Command from John Peterson, I knew it was going to be as good as life gets here in the Navy," Bethke said. "His expertise and the professionalism of the entire command are off the chart. This is easily the most thorough and competent change of command I have ever experienced."

More than 40,000 civilians annually begin their enlisted Navy service at RTC. During their eight weeks of boot camp, recruits go through a process called "Sailorization" where they are transformed into Sailors. All recruits must pass several academic and physical tests, as well as the capstone training event called Battle Stations 21 held on board USS Trayer (BST 21). Battle Stations is a grueling 12-hour event where recruits must pass 17 different shipboard scenarios on board the Navy's largest simulator, a 210-foot-long replica of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Trayer is a state-of-the-art training facility that uses theme park special effects technology to simulate a variety of shipboard emergencies from shipboard fires and compartment flooding.

"As I retire from uniformed service, after more than three decades of active duty, I know that our Navy's future is secure in those that follow behind me," Peterson said. "By those that we've trained, by the next generation that has stepped up; and there are no finer examples of the promising future for our U.S. Navy than the people I saw standing in front of me every graduation."