Name: Navy Boot Camp Graduation
Brand: Navy Boot Camp Graduation
Rating: 4.7 (52 reviews)

Navy Boot Camp Graduation marks the end of a young sailors training and gets them ready to serve their country in any waters.

This ceremony is a celebration of their impressive achievements and is something that every sailor’s friends and family should normally make their best effort to attend. Unfortunately, this year all graduations will not be open to the public, but will be viewable via YouTube or Facebook.

Navy Boot Camp Graduation Dates 2023

The ceremonies where the Navy boot camp graduation takes place are at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes in Illinois.

As of the writing of this article, dates for graduation have only been published through the beginning of July. The dates of graduation that have been currently released for Recruit Training Command Great Lakes include:

Special Note: Click Here to check out a great graduation gift idea for your new Sailor.

Graduation Date	Training Group	Division
January 13, 2023	TG-5	017, 018, 019, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 905
January 20, 2023	TG-6	027, 028, 029, 030, 906
January 27, 2023	TG-7	031, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 907
February 3, 2023	TG-8	039, 040, 041, 042, 908
February 10, 2023	TG-9	043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 909
February 17, 2023	TG-10	049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 910
February 24, 2023	TG-11	055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 911, 912
March 3, 2023	(No Graduation)	(No Graduation)
March 10, 2023	(No Graduation)	(No Graduation)
March 17, 2023	TG-14	063, 065, 066, 913, 914
April 14, 2023	TG-18	087, 088, 089, 090, 091, 093, 094, 918
April 21, 2023	TG-19	095, 097, 098, 099, 100, 919
April 28, 2023	TG-20	101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 920
May 5, 2023	TG-21	107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 921
May 12, 2023	TG-22	115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 922
May 19, 2023	TG-23	121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 127, 923
May 26, 2023	TG-24	129, 131, 132, 133, 134, 924
June 2, 2023	TG-25	135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 925
June 9, 2023	TG-26	141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 926
June 15, 2023	TG-27	149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154
June 23, 2023	TG-28	155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 928
June 30, 2023	TG-29	161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 929
July 7, 2023	TG-30	167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 930

Navy Boot Camp Graduation Gift Idea

If you’re looking for a graduation gift for your new Sailor, we recommend you check out the HERO11 by GoPro.

This waterproof camera has all the bells and whistles, including 4K60 video resolution, wide FOV, and TimeWarp / Time Lapse video.

It’s perfect for your newly graduating Sailor, as many like to record themselves doing the jobs they love and sharing them with the people they love.

Here are a couple examples of Sailors using the HERO11 while serving:

Catapult Hook-Up & Launch

Navy Fighter Pilot Shows Off His Skills

Navy Sailor Day In The Life

Click Here to pick up the GoPro HERO11 camera today.

Or click here to see a list of other great Army graduation gift ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

navy sailors at boot camp graduation — Image: Wikimedia.org

Now that we know when your sailor is graduating, there are many more questions that you likely need answered.

We have found and answered the most frequently asked questions so you know what to expect from your sailor’s graduation day.

Where is Navy Boot Camp Graduation?

The graduation ceremony for Navy boot camp is at Great Lakes Navy Recruit Training Command. This base is located in Illinois and is about 45 minutes outside of Chicago.

Families planning to attend graduation ceremonies will need to fill out the security access form provided by their recruit. Note that only three or four guests age 3 and over may attend. Your recruit will tell you how many invitations they have to offer.

Families and friends have the option to fly into O’Hare International Airport, where they will be around 30 minutes from the base.

No matter how you plan on getting to the base, you will want to account for the heavy traffic of Chicago as well as the heavier-than-normal traffic that will come from the graduation day.

How has Covid-19 affected boot camp graduation?

The spread of Covid-19 has actually had quite a drastic impact on the graduation schedule. While masks are no longer required to attend, note that the base still has the option of changes to graduation dates and procedures.

If you want to make sure you have the most accurate date, you will want to check in with your sailor to make sure that there have not been changes made recently.

Related Article – Navy Sailors Creed

How do I get onto the base at Great Lakes?

The address for the graduation ceremony is as follows:

11025 W Downey Rd, North Chicago, IL 60064

Make sure you fill out the Security Access form and return it to your recruit. They will provide this information so you can pick up tickets for the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, you’ll need to pick up your tickets off base. Make sure you have a valid photo ID. Minors and non-drivers will also need identification. Minors can use a Studen ID, driver’s permit, SSN card, or birth certificate.

You’ll pick up your tickets at the Navy Exchange (NEX) Burkey Mall, 2650 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60088.

You will need to enter through the RTC Visitor Center and go through a security screening to attend graduation. You can enter with a small bag (purse, camera bag, or diaper bag). However, do not bring large bags or backpacks. You also shouldn’t bring any posters or signs, and those carrying weapons and drugs are subject to arrest.

It is a good idea to make sure you plan your trip ahead of time so you know where you need to go and how to get there.

It is more than likely that there will be heavier traffic due to the large number of family members also trying to get to the base.

Give yourself ample time to get there as traffic conditions may change and the ceremonies begin promptly on time.

Navy Boot Camp Graduation Dress Code?

There is no strict dress code in place for graduation ceremonies at the Navy base.

Despite this, your sailor will be wearing their dress uniform as that is the standard attire for events such as graduation.

It is nice to wear something that shows respect for the hard work and dedication that your sailor put into completing their rigorous training.

Many friends and families have a tradition of getting custom shirts with the name of their sailor on them.

How many can attend Navy boot camp graduation?

The number depends on how many divisions are graduating on that day. If the number is under 11 graduation divisions, your recruit can invite 4 guests age 3 and over. When 11 or more divisions are graduation, there is only room for 3 guests.

Where can I watch a live stream of the graduation?

Depending on your region, you should be able to access the live stream of your sailor’s graduation with a link that is provided by the base.

Check in with your sailor before the graduation date to see what options will be in place for live-streaming the event from home. Current options are on Facebook or YouTube.

Related Article – Marine Boot Camp Graduation Info

Conclusion

The graduation ceremony for a new Navy recruit is going to be one of the most exciting times for the whole family throughout their service.

The accomplishment is something that will be cherished for years.

Make sure you are taking the time to enjoy your sailor’s achievements and wish them the best going forward.

References

https://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/

https://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/what_to_expect.html

Author
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Rob V.

Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.

Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.

Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.