Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class John Suits | 250917-N-GU344-1038 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Sept. 17, 2025) – Cmdr. Jennifer Craig poses...... read more read more
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Meet Commander Jennifer Craig, Director of the Future Sailor Preparatory Course (FSPC) at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, the Navy’s only boot camp.
A native of Iowa, Craig has proudly served in the Navy for 13 years. Though she didn’t come from a military family, she says the desire to serve her country was always part of who she was.
“I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, an organization where I could contribute to the greater good and make a lasting impact,” Craig said. “The Navy gave me that opportunity, and as a physical therapist, I have the privilege of serving both Sailors and Marines. That sense of purpose is what drew me to the Navy over any other branch.”
Craig graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School before studying at Iowa State University and later earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. Since commissioning, her career has taken her around the world to duty stations including Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Oak Harbor, Naval Hospital Naples, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and Naval Special Warfare Group 2. She also deployed to Somalia and aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 5th Fleet.
One of her defining moments came during her nearly 10-month deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson.
“Serving alongside 5,000 Sailors with one mission was an incredible experience,” Craig recalled. “As the only physical therapist onboard, I worked closely with our physical therapy tech to keep our Sailors and Airmen in peak condition. Seeing the direct impact of our work on the success of combat missions reminded me why our profession matters so much.”
Craig credits her upbringing with instilling the values that carried her through demanding tours.
“I grew up in a blue-collar family with two working parents, and from an early age, my sister and I were taught to give 100% effort in everything we did,” she said. “That shaped my view of accountability and teamwork. Another lesson was to always treat people with dignity and respect. Those values have given me an appreciation for the diverse perspectives I encounter in the Navy, and I learn something new from others every day.”
Today, Craig leads the Future Sailor Preparatory Course, a Secretary of the Navy initiative designed to help recruits who may not initially meet academic or fitness standards. The program provides additional training to raise Armed Forces Qualification Test scores or meet body composition standards, giving otherwise ineligible recruits the chance to pursue a Navy career.
“I oversee daily operations for both our academic and fitness divisions and also work directly with recruits to ensure safe, effective training,” Craig explained. “It’s a privilege to work alongside our RDCs who are so dedicated to these recruits’ success. Helping them take that final step toward boot camp and, ultimately, the fleet is incredibly rewarding.”
For Craig, mentorship is at the heart of leadership.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the guidance of shipmates, both officers and enlisted, who took the time to invest in me,” she said. “Effective mentorship is built on respect and communication, and it allows us to empower others to reach their full potential. There’s no greater reward than seeing someone you’ve mentored succeed.”
While she acknowledges challenges, Craig views them as opportunities for growth.
“Everyone has good days and bad days,” she said. “What matters is that we learn from those experiences, hold each other accountable, and keep moving forward. Here at RTC, we have the unique responsibility of shaping the Navy’s future, and I never lose sight of that.”
Looking ahead, Craig’s near-term goal is to strengthen and stabilize the still-new preparatory program. Long term, she hopes to check a few professional “bucket list” items.
“I’d like to see FSPC reach a steady state where processes are consistent and formalized,” she said. “And personally, I’d love the chance to serve alongside Marines or take orders to Japan, both experiences I haven’t yet had. Wherever I go, I want to continue growing as a leader and giving back to the Navy.”
Outside of work, Craig enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Craig continues to support the Navy’s mission, embodying the values of service and dedication to inspire future Sailors as they join the fleet.
Training at RTC is approximately nine weeks, and all enlistees in the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2025 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 548964 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, US |
| Web Views: | 335 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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