USA: Recruit Training Command to Commemorate Black History Month

Recruit Training Command to Commemorate Black History Month

Recruit Training Command will commemorate this year’s Black History month with a command-wide event Feb. 21 in Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall.

RTC staff will celebrate the historical contributions and sacrifices made by African Americans striving for equality, blazing a trail for future Sailors.

The first African American officers in naval history were commissioned in 1944. The 12 commissioned officers and one warrant officer became known as the “Golden Thirteen.”

“February is the one month out of the year set aside to focus on the contributions that African Americans have made to the Navy and society,” said Cmdr. Kertreck Brooks, executive officer of RTC. “I feel it is important to recognize the legacy of accomplishments and honorable service of black which historically, were omitted from our overall history.”

In 1917, John Henry Turpin became the first African American chief petty officer, the Navy’s highest enlisted rank at the time. A chief gunner’s mate, he was one of the Navy’s first divers and was one of the people responsible for perfecting the underwater cutting torch.

“Black History Month to me is a time to recognize the struggles and contributions African Americans made to allow me to have the opportunities I have today,” said Master Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/FMF) Troy Thibeaux, leading chief petty offer for Student Control Department. “It also gives us an opportunity to educate younger generations about the growth of our country.”

Edna Young, the first African American woman to enlist in the Navy and later the first to achieve the rank of chief petty officer was a World War II veteran who joined the Navy after the passage of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, July 7, 1948

“It saddens me when I talk to people and they do not appreciate or remember the strong Black people in our history that have paved the way for us,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW/SW) Tanya Smith, recruit division commander. “We have scientists like George Washington Carver; humanitarians like Harriet Tubman, a conductor for the Underground Railroad; and activists such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.”

Earning his wings in 1948, Ens. Jesse LeRoy Brown became the Navy’s first African American Aviator and fighter pilot during the Korean War.

Designated a naval flight officer, one of Brooks’ most memorable tours was as an instructor at Randolph Air Force Base, Tex. flying the T-43A with the joint Air Force/Navy squadron.

“I was teaching young Navy ensigns and Air Force second lieutenants to become Naval flight officers and Air Force navigators,” said Brooks. “Somewhat like RTC, some of them came in green not knowing much about aviation. Six to nine weeks later they while getting their wings you saw their growth throughout their time in training.”

For nearly two decades leading into to World War II, the Navy’s African-American Sailors had been limited to serving as mess attendants. However, the good examples of heroes like Mess Attendant 3rd Class Doris Miller, who was awarded the Navy Cross for courageous conduct and devotion to duty during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the willingness of thousands of patriotic men gradually forced changes. Though the Navy remained racially segregated in training and in most service units, in 1942 enlisted rates were opened to all qualified personnel.

Prior to her current tour at RTC, Smith did tours with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Seven and Sea Control Squadron 22, where she was deployed to Iraq. One of her most memorable tours is her current one.

“I actually volunteered to come to RTC,” said Smith. “When I was in the fleet, one of my shipmates was in the Navy for nine months and he didn’t pass his Physical Fitness Assessment. That is what sparked my interest to become a recruit division commander (RDC); I came here to train my relief.”

Since she has been here, not only has she helped train the Navy’s future, but Smith has grown herself.

“My leadership has developed beyond my comprehension – I’ve learned so much here,” said Smith. “In the three years I’ve passed RDC C School, been certified as a Master Training Specialist, trained recruits and trained staff to train recruits. It was a lot of hard work and the command and my fellow shipmates helped out immensely.”

“I’m very proud of the diversity of the Navy,” said Thibeaux. “It is pretty rare seeing such a diverse group of people working together so well. Although Sailors are conscious of others’ race and background, when it comes down to it we are all one, we are all here as a team to do a job – to keep our country safe.”

Recruit Training Command, located in Great Lakes, Ill., trains more than 37,000 volunteer civilian recruits annually, transforming them into basically trained Sailors.

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Naval Today Staff, February 19, 2013; Image: RTC