SR Williams, Jeremiah E 4

wefithealthwellnes
5 days ago
4 min read

GREAT LAKES

DIV 240

FORGING CONFIDENCE & SHIPBOARD SURVIVAL

“EVERY SAILOR IS A FIREFIGHTER”

Week four introduces your recruit to some of the most critical skills every Sailor must master: protecting the ship and protecting their shipmates. At sea, the safety of the entire crew often depends on how quickly and effectively Sailors respond to emergencies. This week’s training focuses heavily on damage control, firefighting, and emergency response, teaching recruits how to protect a naval vessel in some of the most demanding situations imaginable.

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These lessons reinforce a core Navy principle:

Every Sailor is a firefighter.

From learning how fires behave aboard ships to operating emergency breathing equipment, your recruit is developing the skills that help keep ships and the Sailors aboard them safe.

Damage Control – Protecting The Ship

During week four, recruits begin training in Damage Control (DC). Damage control is one of the most important responsibilities aboard any Navy ship. Every Sailor must know how to respond to emergencies that threaten the ship’s safety.

Recruits learn how to operate equipment used to:

Maintain ship stability
Preserve watertight integrity
Fight fires aboard ships
Respond to flooding or structural damage
Protect against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Explosive (CBRNE) threats

Through classroom instruction and hands-on practice, recruits begin to understand how ships survive emergencies at sea and how every Sailor plays a role in protecting the vessel and crew.

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Confidence Under Pressure

Another major milestone this week is the Confidence Chamber, also known as the gas chamber.

This training prepares recruits to respond to chemical threats by teaching them how to properly use their protective mask and protective equipment. Recruits must quickly and correctly put on their mask before entering a chamber filled with a controlled amount of tear gas used for training.

Once inside, they demonstrate their knowledge by answering questions, then briefly remove their mask and exit the chamber.

While challenging, this training builds confidence and reinforces the importance of reacting quickly and correctly under pressure. By the end of the exercise, recruits gain a new level of trust in their equipment—and in their own ability to handle stressful situations.

Physical Fitness – RDC PFA Assessment

Physical fitness continues to play a major role in training. During week four, recruits complete the Recruit Division Commander Physical Fitness Assessment (RDC PFA).

This assessment provides recruits and their Recruit Division Commanders a snapshot of their physical readiness and progress. The evaluation includes:

Timed push-ups
Timed plank hold
1.5-mile run

The goal is to ensure recruits are progressing toward meeting the Navy’s Physical Readiness Test standards required for graduation and throughout their careers.

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Phone Call Home

Week four may also include Phone Call II, another opportunity for recruits to briefly reconnect with their families.

As with previous calls, phone calls are not guaranteed, and the day, time, and length of the call can vary depending on the division’s training schedule. If you receive a call, it may only last a few minutes—but those few minutes often mean the world to recruits as they continue pushing through the challenges of training.

A few words of encouragement and pride from home can provide powerful motivation as they continue forward on their journey.

The Making of Your Sailor

Stay tuned for more insights into Week Five and beyond. Remember, stay informed by visiting the G raduation Access Information Page, which includes links to RTC’s official website and the Navy’s Great Lakes Area Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) Page.

That’s a brief look at your recruit’s intense but rewarding journey.

Let’s keep supporting them every step of the way!

Hooyah,

SgtMaj Paul Davis, USMC (Ret)