Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Williamson | 190606-N-JH293-1452 ST. LOUIS (June 6, 2019) Eighty-one recruits with the 61st Annual...... read more read more
Eighty-one recruits from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Kentucky stood in front of thousands of people as they enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, June 6, 2019.
This group of new recruits make up the 61st Annual Recruit Cardinal Division. Cardinal Division is unique as it is the Navy’s longest-running special recruit division. Since 1958, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) St. Louis and the St. Louis Cardinals have worked together with the city of St. Louis and the St. Louis Navy League to form and sponsor the division.
Administering the oath of enlistment in front of home plate was Rear Admiral Andrew Mueller, deputy commander of Commander, Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC).
“These young men will join the ranks of a highly skilled and professional warfighting team,” said Mueller. “A team united by an oath – an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. A team united by the shared core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Mueller went on to say that the recruits would be joining a long legacy of Sailors who have lived lives forged by the sea.
“Forged by the sea isn’t just our tagline or slogan, it’s a way of life,” said Mueller. “When the recruits get to wear this uniform, they will become part of something so much bigger than themselves – a well-oiled machine that’s been our nation’s first call, both in times of crises and natural disasters, since our nation’s founding in 1776.”
Prior to the ceremony at the ballpark, the recruits participated in a swearing-in event at St. Louis City Hall and immediately followed with a picnic across the street at Poelker Park.
Cmdr. Bradley Whittington, commanding officer of Navy Recruiting District (NRD) St. Louis, gave opening remarks at City Hall and spoke to the recruits about their journey as the newest members of the U.S. Navy.
“Congratulations to you all on becoming members of an elite team,” said Whittington. “Today you should be justifiably proud that you are on the way to becoming not only members, but leaders of our Navy combat team. As being part of Cardinal Division, your training as leaders has already begun.”
After spending time with their loved ones at the park, the newly sworn-in recruits, along with Sailors assigned to Navy Recruiting District (NRD) St. Louis, marched in formation through the streets of downtown St. Louis to Busch Stadium.
“It’s always nice being able to march through St. Louis for this event,” said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class Jular Bigornia, color guard leader for NRD St. Louis. “This is the last Cardinal Division I’ll be part of, and it was truly a great experience to parade our nation’s colors through a city I’ve grown to love.”
Upon arriving at the stadium, NRD St. Louis recruiters marched out to line the baselines, ready to watch their future shipmates join the Navy.
“It’s pretty awesome being able to stand in front of a huge crowd of people who are here to not only support the St. Louis Cardinals but to support us as well,” said Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Sean Settles. “The people of St. Louis have been thanking us for our service all day, and I greatly appreciate their support.”
After Mueller administered the oath and threw out the first pitch, the Cardinal Division watched the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Cincinnati Reds. Toward the end of the game, the recruits said their good-byes and followed their recruit division commanders to the buses that would take them to Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, to start their basic military training.
"These recruits are part of a proud Navy tradition here in the Midwest,” said Mueller. “The camaraderie they build as members of the Cardinal Division will not only help them succeed in basic training but will be a point of pride lasting throughout their naval careers and beyond.”
During their time at boot camp, the Cardinal Division will live, sleep and train together as a cohesive unit. They are scheduled to graduate Aug. 2, 2019.
NRD St. Louis' area of responsibility covers more than 200,000 square miles, encompassing Missouri, Kansas, central and southern Illinois, and a portion of Kentucky. More than 200 officers, enlisted personnel and civilian staff operate 30 recruiting stations, two Navy Officer Recruiting Stations and the headquarters in St. Louis. Additionally, two Military Entrance Processing Stations; one at the headquarters in St. Louis and one in Kansas City, Mo., handle applicants' processing, classification, and physical examinations.
CNRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 18 Navy Recruiting Districts and eight Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,300 recruiting stations across the world. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.
For more news from Navy Recruiting District St. Louis, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdsl/ or www.facebook.com/nrdstlouis.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2019 07:46 |
| Story ID: | 325922 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 61st Annual Recruit Cardinal Division Begins Navy Journey, by PO1 Chris Williamson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT