Robert Kinman

The Combat Systems Technical Schools Command at Mare Island was a pivotal United States Navy training facility established during the Cold War era. Located at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, the command specialized in advanced technical training for sailors in combat systems, including electronics, weapons, and fire control. Its graduates played crucial roles in the operation and maintenance of sophisticated naval technologies aboard U.S. warships. The school supported fleet readiness until the base's closure in the mid-1990s, after which its mission was transferred to other Navy training centers.

The Great Lakes Naval Training Center, located in North Chicago, Illinois, is the United States Navy's largest training facility. It was established in 1911 and continues to provide basic training for enlisted sailors. The center boasts state-of-the-art facilities and training programs to prepare recruits for active duty in the Navy. With a long history of excellence in training, the Great Lakes Naval Training Center plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the US Navy.

USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on 19 September 1981. Named after Admiral Harry W. Hill, the ship was primarily tasked with anti-submarine warfare, surface action, and escort duties. Throughout her service, she participated in multiple deployments, including operations in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War and Operation Desert Storm. After over two decades of service, USS Harry W. Hill was decommissioned on 29 May 1998 and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2004.

Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC), located at Great Lakes, Illinois, is the United States Navy’s only boot camp. Established in 1911, it has trained millions of sailors for service, especially during major conflicts like both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout its history, Great Lakes has adapted its training programs to meet evolving naval needs, incorporating advances in technology, tactics, and diversity. Today, RTC Great Lakes remains a critical institution, transforming civilians into sailors and serving as the gateway to the modern Navy.

USS Kittyhawk

U.S. Navy

The USS Kittyhawk (CV-63) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier commissioned in 1961 and decommissioned in 2009. It was the second ship in the Kitty Hawk-class of aircraft carriers and served in various conflicts and operations, including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The USS Kittyhawk was known for its distinctive "Battle E" award-winning performance and its ability to launch and recover a variety of aircraft. After its retirement, the ship was eventually scrapped in 2015.