Scott McPherson

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT

U.S. Navy

USS *Theodore Roosevelt* (CVN-71) is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier commissioned into the United States Navy in October 1986. Named after the 26th President of the United States, the ship has played a critical role in multiple military operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Enduring Freedom after the September 11 attacks. The *Theodore Roosevelt* has demonstrated the Navy's global reach by conducting deployments in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Indo-Pacific regions. Over its service, the carrier has undergone several overhauls and modernization efforts to maintain its combat readiness and continues to serve as a vital asset in U.S. naval power projection.

USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy on February 21, 1987. Named after the Battle of Mobile Bay from the American Civil War, the ship served in numerous operations, including Operation Desert Storm in 1991, where she provided air defense and missile strike capabilities. Throughout her career, Mobile Bay participated in multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, supporting both combat and humanitarian missions. After more than three decades of service, USS Mobile Bay was decommissioned on August 10, 2023.

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.