Blue Angels Encourage Navy Recruits at Captain's Cup

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, Navy Blue Angels Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- Members of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, attended Captain's Cup at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, Ill., in support of Navy Recruit Division 940, the first Blue Angels-sponsored division, Aug. 9.

Eight recruit divisions at RTC participated in Captain's Cup on the second deck of Freedom Hall. These recruits, who are nearly complete with their basic training, put their skills to the test for the opportunity to win the Captain's Cup trophy and the chance to display the Captain's Cup flag during their pass-in-review.

"Having the Blue Angels team members present for the Captain's Cup gave the recruits a sense of pride and motivated them to do their best," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Christal Manning, a recruit division commander (RDC) at RTC.

The morning of the competition begins with each division performing a prepared one-minute long divisional chant. Each chant is graded on the amount of Navy pride, creativity and originality that each division puts forth. Sailors going through RDC "C" School grade the chants and the winning division earns a trophy at the conclusion of Captain's Cup.

There are ten different events in which the recruits compete with the other divisions in their training group. The events include push-ups, pull-ups, curl-ups, seabag relay, basketball, softball throw, volleyball, firefighting equipment relay, rescue carry and the 1.5-mile relay run. If a tie occurs between two divisions, a tug-of-war is used to determine the winner.

"Taking the time to be present at their Captain's Cup is in-line with our mission as Blue Angels," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Benjamin Thayer. "We inspire a culture of excellence by investing time, encouragement, and motivation. I hope that by providing that source of encouragement for the recruits, they understand that if they continue to strive for excellence in every moment, they too can achieve great success in all of their endeavors."

Division 940 placed second overall for the Captain's Cup.

"When the Blue Angels walked into the compartment, there was a notion that we had to do better than everyone," said Seaman Recruit Brittany Griffin, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. "But when we saw that they were not just cheering for our division, but other divisions as well, it reminded us that we are all still one Navy."

The Recruit Division Sponsorship Program allows Navy commands to interact with recruits during training and take part in the "Sailorization" process of turning individuals into well-rounded members of the U.S. Navy - making civilians into Sailors.

Recruit Division 940 started the basic training process June 27 and is slated to graduate Aug. 15.

For more information regarding the RTC Sponsorship Program, contact the RTC Public Affairs Office.