Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Military News

Navy Fireman Broderick F. Ritchie, son of Verdia M. Ritchie of 210 Beech Street in Gurdon, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

He is a 1998 graduate of Gurdon High School.

During the eight-week program, Ritchie completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness.

Ritchie and other recruits also received instruction on the navy's core values honor, courage and commitment and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct.

Ritchie joins 55,000 men and women who will enter the navy this year from all over the country.

Men and women train together from their first day in the navy just as they do aboard ships and at shore commands around the world. To reinforce the team concept, Ritchie and other recruits also were trained in preventing sexual harassment and ensuring equal opportunity.