Chicago Bulls Host New Recruit Division

By Lt. Cesar Mantilla, Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

CHICAGO, Ill. (NNS) -- Future Sailors from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Chicago got a once in a lifetime experience when they took their oath of enlistment on the United Center court, before the National Basketball Association (NBA) Chicago Bulls played the Washington Wizards March 17.

The 86 future Sailors proceeded onto the court before tip-off, arranged themselves into a formation and listened to brief remarks from Cmdr. Russell Delaney, commanding officer of NRD Chicago, before being sworn in by Capt. Steve Bethke, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command (RTC).

Delaney spoke about the quality of the character found in each new recruit.

"They are among the elite one-third of people in this age group who can even qualify for Navy service," Delaney said. "They stayed in school, avoided drugs, remained in good physical shape and respected the law."

After Delaney's remarks, Bethke administered the oath of enlistment. The fans rose to their feet.

Seaman Recruit Mark Szczuka, 27, of Florissant, Mo., was one of the recruits sworn in. He said was overwhelmed by it all.

"It took a lot to restrain myself and hold back tears at times, especially with my chain of command there and roughly 20,000 people, almost all of whom were on their feet," Szczuka said. "There's nothing like it."

Chief Machinist's Mate (SW) Othoniel Calixtomontanez, Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Smith Predelus and Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Rashay Stokes, Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) at RTC, were on hand to train the new division and participate in the ceremony. They received the division at the Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station that afternoon and took them to an off-site location to train and mentor them.

"Pretty much, they told us how to compose ourselves in a manner of integrity," Szczuka said. "They told us not to mess around and joke around because we're not just representing ourselves and our division but the entire Navy. They also taught us how to line up and march. I particularly remember learning how to pivot."

After spending the afternoon with their RDCs learning how to execute the ceremony, recruits were bused to the United Center and observed pre-game warm-ups from the floor seats.

For Seaman Recruit Adam Comegys, 19, of Valparaiso, Ind., the pre-game VIP treatment was his favorite part.

"I enjoyed sitting down by the court before the game started," Comegys said. "We were close to all the action and the players practicing."

The recruits watched the players warm up for 90 minutes before they headed to a holding area just below the stands to receive final instructions. After Bethke swore them in, officially making them recruits, Johnny Bach, a retired Bulls assistant coach and Navy World War II veteran, presented a special Bulls team guidon to the lead RDC Calixtomontanez.

"The guidon bolsters team cohesion and esprit de corps," Bethke said.

Throughout the night, fans randomly congratulated them. Szczuka enjoyed that part.

"The best parts about the night were the greetings and cheers from just random fans," Szczuka said. "Every once in awhile, somebody would give a shout out to the Navy and to us in particular, so that was pretty reassuring."

After the game, the recruits got on a bus and departed for RTC to begin their training. When they successfully complete boot camp training, they will graduate and join the fleet.

For more news on Navy boot camp, visit http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/.