Important Update - Change in Policy
The following RTC policy will be enforced for all graduations beginning with the January 4th, 2013 Graduation. ALL GUESTS,
including Active Duty/Retired Military Personnel, and those aged three and older MUST be on the access list. (Please note: Children
two and under do not need to be on the access list.)
Access list: Recruits are permitted to place up to four names on the access list for graduation (children under
3 do not need to be on the access list). Only the recruit may submit or change names, and no changes are permitted once the access list has been submitted to RTC Security the week prior to graduation. Please be sure to write to your recruit to let them know who will be attending.
Great Lakes Naval Station General Information
Great Lakes Naval Station is located in Illinois adjacent to Waukegan, IL on the
north of Chicago. Click here for more
information on air, bus, and train transportation for Great Lakes Naval
Station.
Due to security measures that are implemented at Great Lakes Naval Station you may experience delays getting onto the
base. Be sure to allow for extra time to make sure you arrive
at the graduation event on time.
Family members and/or friends attending graduations that are arriving here by motorcycle must have in their possession a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Card. Without this card motorcyclists will NOT be allowed to ride on
base.
During your recruit’s first week at Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Commanding Officer will send home an informational letter that contains very important information regarding graduation, including your recruit's graduation date, the names of their intended guests, and the password required for the gate pass. The gate pass is required only if you intend to bring your vehicle onto the base.
Recruits are permitted to place up to four names on the access list. If the names in the packet are different than the guests attending, please write to your recruit immediately to let them know so they are sure which names to include on the list. They will put this list together before the final week of training and it cannot be changed once it is submitted to security, so please coordinate with your recruit as only recruits may place names on the list. RTC
can neither change these names nor release the names of those on the list.
Documentation required to obtain a vehicle pass if not obtain in advance for entrance into
Great Lakes Naval Station:
- Drivers license
- Proof of Insurance
- Vehicle Registration
What to wear to a graduation ceremony? Your sailor will be dressed in
a Navy Dress White or Blue uniform which is the Navy's formal uniform. You may wear want you want
from casual to your Sunday's best.
Liberty Policies vary by unit and depending upon the next destination of your
sailor. Please see unit for details on liberty after graduation.
There are no animals allowed at the Graduation. The only exception is for service animals. Cell phones are not allowed in use while driving unless you have a hands free connection. The fine for using cell phones without hands free is $50.00 and $25.00 processing fee. Seat belts are required and strictly enforced.
Great Lakes Naval Station Graduation Schedule
Basic
Training graduations from the Navy are
conducted every Friday. For complete graduation details and
schedule of events please click here.
