Fort Lauderdale Native Serves Where Future Navy Warfighters Train

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

July 18, 2024

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. Seaman Recruit Chasity Constant, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is currently stationed at NSGL as a student with Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

Constant, a 2017 graduate of Coconut Creek High School, joined the Navy six months ago.

“I joined the Navy to better myself, to further my education, to learn self-discipline and to experience a new way of life,” said Constant.

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

“I learned growing up that the value of working hard to rise to the top,” said Constant. “Those who don't compete, fall to the bottom.”

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 skill sets.

“As an operations specialist, I’ll be learning the tools and skills necessary to do navigation on a ship while underway,” said Constant. “I’m also excited to travel the world and proud that I am defending and contributing to my country.”

With 90% 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.”

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

“Serving in the Navy means working for something bigger than myself and carrying on a tradition that has been going on since this country was founded,” said Constant.

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

“I would like to thank my family, friends and my brother, Sgt. Dorcely in the Marine Corps,” added Constant. “He never once gave up on me and told me to never give up on trying to get into the military because there was always a way as long as I kept pushing. I will always be grateful to him and I want him to know that his sister is happy that I didn't give up at all.”