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History of RTC Orlando

Recruit Training Command Orlando, commonly known as RTC Orlando, was a major United States Navy boot camp located in Orlando, Florida. Opened in 1968, it was established to help meet the growing training demands during the Vietnam War era. RTC Orlando was notable as one of the first Navy training commands to integrate female recruits after the creation of the all-volunteer force in the 1970s. The base trained tens of thousands of sailors until it was closed in 1994 as part of a series of military consolidations, with operations transferred to the remaining Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois.

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ABOUT RTC Orlando

  • Establishment: Recruit Training Command (RTC) Orlando was established in 1968 as part of the Naval Training Center Orlando in Florida, serving as one of only three Navy boot camps in the United States.
  • First Female Recruits: In 1973, after the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, RTC Orlando became the first Navy boot camp to integrate female recruits, making history by training both men and women.
  • The “Blue Jackets:” RTC Orlando's recruits were known as “Blue Jackets,” a reference to the traditional nickname for Navy enlisted personnel.
  • The Grinder: The large parade ground at RTC Orlando, called "the Grinder," was the site of countless marching drills, physical training sessions, and graduation ceremonies.
  • Vietnam War Impact: During the Vietnam War era, the base saw a significant influx of recruits, training thousands of sailors for deployment.
  • Hollywood Connection: The 1980s TV movie "Women at West Point" used RTC Orlando facilities for some filming, highlighting the site’s reputation as a progressive training center.
  • Iconic Water Tower: The RTC Orlando water tower, painted with the Navy emblem, was a local landmark visible for miles and a welcoming sight for arriving recruits.
  • Closing Ceremony: RTC Orlando graduated its final class of sailors in December 1994 before closing due to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decisions, with training consolidated at RTC Great Lakes.
  • Legacy: Over its 26 years, RTC Orlando trained more than 650,000 Navy recruits, leaving a lasting legacy in naval history and among veterans nationwide.
  • Current Site: After closure, the base was redeveloped into the Baldwin Park neighborhood, but memorials and street names—like Blue Jacket Park—preserve the memory of the Navy’s presence.

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