Established in 1911, Naval Station Great Lakes, the “Quarterdeck of the Navy,” is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only Boot Camp.

Over 38,000 recruits will become Sailors at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes this year during an eight-week course of instruction. We will have 48 recruit graduation ceremonies this year that will attract over 125,000 visitors to Lake County.

About 40 percent of those new Sailors, fresh out of boot camp, will stay at Great Lakes for training at Training Support Center Great Lakes.

Training Support Center Great Lakes provides training and mentorship to new apprentice-level Sailors and functional support to Learning Sites (LS) in Great Lakes, including the Center for Surface Combat Systems, Surface Warfare School Command, the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving, and Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School.

Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, Naval Station Great Lakes supports over 50 tenant commands and elements as well as over 25,000 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation. Our operations, along with area military retirees and educational aid payments, had a total economic impact on Illinois of $1.3 billion in 2016.

Click Here to view the Naval Station Great Lakes Guide.

Please continue to follow RTC social media accounts for updates and check www.bootcamp.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information. For specific questions and inquiries, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office.

Click here for details on graduation: Page 1   Page 2

Hours of Operation

• Welcome Center: Thursday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM and Friday 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM.