Comments

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  Larry Qualter December 24, 2010 at 1:02pm

  I attended Great Lakes RTC from Feb 5,1967 until beginning of April. I was assigned to company 76.  We arrived in the midst of a blizzard from NYC on a train with no heat! We had a enough recruits to make a New York City company but they would not have it. We were split between two companys. Most of the winter the area received snow that at times we stayed in the barracks. Remember the Admirals home caught fire and he died in it. Spring time came and they had us marching all over the place. I remember our company graduation and proud we were marching out of the drill hall!  We were last company to leave to go home the following Thursday. It was great to walk, not run, around the base no longer wearing leggings!

  Does anyone remember getting punishment in the drill hall pushing the piece or looking for willie? Not sure if this is still tolerated in todays Nany Boot Camp!
  
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  Pat Songe December 24, 2010 at 11:45am

  I attended Great Lakes RTC May/July 1987. No earth shattering memories, though generally a good time.
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  Ronald Earl Bereman II November 19, 2010 at 5:26pm

  Hay Stanley, Glad you had a good trip and congrats to your grandson, I've been back to a few of my duty stations over the years, Charleston, Mayport, Cecil Field all have changed (Cecil is shut down) Mayport has a McDonalds and apartments instead of barracks, I was at Great Lakes the summer of 63 and haven't been back since but sure would like to.
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  hugh g. whiting November 19, 2010 at 2:19pm

  i wass out there in january of 2005 for my son`s graduation,took my wife and 2 daughters, 4 tickets per recruit family. some of the old yellow brick barracks on the camp porter side were still standing, but the brig and most of the other stuff was gone.i think they tore down the last of those yello9w brick jobs recently. the drill hall where the graduation was was pretty new.nothing like the old curved roof place i graduated from in oct. of 1965. very nostalgic driving in the front gate.
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  Stanley Alan Garrett November 19, 2010 at 12:07pm

  You would love it John. Find a friend that has son, daughter, brother etc.. They are allowed 4 tickets. There were more families there than when I graduated though. It would be worth it.
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  John D. Nilson November 19, 2010 at 11:39am

  The last time I was home(northern IL) I happen to drive by the front gate. Sure has changed since I was there(1970). Would be interesting to go and see a graduation now.
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  Ron Ruiter November 17, 2010 at 3:45pm

  That's really great Stanley that you were able to go and see your grandson graduate like that. I'm sure it's changed a lot since then. I would love to go and see a graduation now.
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  Stanley Alan Garrett November 17, 2010 at 2:42pm

  Thank you very much James. I really am so PROUD of Him.
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  Stanley Alan Garrett November 17, 2010 at 1:23pm

  My Grandson Graduated from Great Lakes BootCamp 11/12/2010.
  I graduated from Great Lakes BootCamp 9/19/1962
  Really has changed both in Appearance and the whole program.
  Felt really emotional seeing him graduate and proud.
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  Thomas Francis Baker October 28, 2010 at 8:57pm

  Mystery solved.