Carmel native serves where future Navy warfighters train

By RICK BURKE
Navy Office of Community Outreach

GREAT LAKES, Ill. – Sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, otherwise known as boot camp. Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), Illinois.

Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Conners, a native of Carmel, is currently stationed at NSGL as an instructor with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Conners, a 2018 graduate of Carmel High School, joined the Navy six years ago.

“I joined the Navy to gain real-world experience in the medical community and to serve my country,” said Conners. “I didn’t know what I wanted to learn going to college after high school, so I joined the military for the numerous benefits and opportunities it has. I chose the Navy because hospital corpsmen are the pinnacle of military medics and have a wide range of responsibilities and platforms to serve on.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Carmel.

“Growing up, I learned that you must put in the hard work to succeed,” said Conners. “Nothing is going to be given to you, it has to be earned. While hard work is important for succeeding, humility and selfless service are what make you well-rounded and allow you to grow as a better sailor, mentor and leader.”

During the 10 weeks at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies – firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms marksmanship.

NSGL is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp. Located on over 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports more than 50 tenant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.

Two commands at NETC are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes (SWESC GL) and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes (SCSTC GL). Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets.

“I enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of these sailors who are brand new in their naval careers,” said Conners. “I remember what it was like to be in their shoes, and being able to be that mentor to guide them and give them a head start for when they get to the fleet is rewarding. I also enjoy seeing some of these who may have just graduated high school a couple of months ago, transform into competent technicians and warfighters that ultimately make our Navy stronger.”

With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Conners serves a Navy that operates forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy comes with a lot of pride in the sense that I’m getting the opportunity to give back to my country and be a part of a team whose purpose is to defend the land and our freedoms,” said Conners. “It also means I get to stand on the shoulders of giants and be a part of, what I would describe, as a fraternity of the greatest men and women of our generations who went before me to defend this country.”

Conners is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my mom, Priscilla Spicer, and my dad, Steven Conners, who have always been supportive of my decision to join the Navy and who continue to support me throughout my career,” added Conners. “They encourage me to be a better man and leader every day, and are always there to offer guidance.”