The Navy is extending boot camp an additional two weeks to place a larger emphasis on sailors’ “character development.”
Boot camp will now be 10 weeks instead of eight, officials announced on Friday. The additional two weeks will be the “Sailor for Life” training phase, which “provides recruits with more training in mentorship, small-unit leadership, advanced Warrior Toughness training, and professional and personal development,” a statement from the service branch reads.
The extended boot camp, which marks the first major restructuring of the training process in nearly two decades, comes as the Navy has faced a series of shipboard crises in recent years, from fires to collisions, in addition to the wide-ranging military problems of increased suicides and sexual assaults.
“We’ve added more leadership and professional development to the basic training toolkit, which Sailors can rely on throughout their careers,” said Rear Adm. Jennifer Couture, commander, Naval Service Training Command. “This additional training reinforces character development with a warfighting spirit so our Navy is strong, lethal and ready.”
Couture told reporters that the additional time will focus on “life skills” training to address problems that include sexual misconduct, hazing, and suicide, according to the Associated Press.
Conservatives have recently accused the military of focusing too much on equality and diversity instead of readiness or fighting, and it’s unclear whether these changes will receive similar scrutiny.
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“The additions were the result of fleet feedback and the hard work of all the staff here at RTC and throughout the Navy,” said Lt. Cmdr. Katy Bock, military training director, Recruit Training Command. “Every recruit now graduates with more tools and skills to make them more effective and combat ready Sailors.”
Navy leaders recommended major changes in training for sailors in 2017 after two deadly ship collisions, which killed 17 sailors.
