180503-N-IK959-315 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (May 3, 2018) Former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West, right, talks with recruits during lunch at the Navy’s only boot camp, Recruit Training Command (RTC), May 3, 2018. The retired MCPON was on hand at RTC to see changes in the curriculum to a more intensive hands-on training. RTC is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, firearms, firefighting, shipboard damage control seamanship and line-handling along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. (U.S. Navy photo by Scott A. Thornbloom/Released)