Garland Watkins

USS John R. Craig (DD-885) was a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy in March 1945. Named after Lieutenant Commander John R. Craig, a World War II submarine hero, the ship saw extensive service during the late stages of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, John R. Craig performed a variety of roles including anti-submarine warfare, escort duties, and naval gunfire support. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1979 and later transferred to the Republic of Korea, where she served as ROKS Jeong Ju until her final decommissioning.

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.

SIMA San Diego (Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity, San Diego) was established to provide maintenance and repair support for the U.S. Navy's surface fleet stationed in the San Diego area. Originally formed during the Cold War era, SIMA San Diego played a critical role in ensuring the operational readiness of ships by offering a wide range of technical services, from hull repairs to electronic systems maintenance. The unit worked closely with fleet units and shipyards, adapting to evolving naval technologies and operational demands. In the early 2000s, as part of Navy restructuring, SIMA San Diego was reorganized and its functions integrated into the Regional Maintenance Center (RMC) system to further streamline fleet support operations.

USS Iowa (BB-61) is the lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships, commissioned into the United States Navy in 1943. She served with distinction in World War II, providing fire support during the Pacific campaigns and escorting aircraft carriers. USS Iowa later saw action during the Korean War, bombarding enemy positions along the coast. After periods of decommissioning and modernization, she was reactivated in the 1980s before finally being decommissioned in 1990, and now serves as a museum ship in Los Angeles, California.

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 Stein (FF-1065) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Named after Marine Private First Class Tony Stein, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, the ship specialized in anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, USS Stein participated in numerous exercises and deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. interests and allied operations. The ship was decommissioned in 1992 and later sold for scrapping, having served honorably for two decades.