Accepted

QM1 Reppe,

Congratulations! You have been screened and accepted for assignment as a RDC!

The rest is stuff for me but I am pretty excited at the news.

Here is an story from Navy News:

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Navy’s only boot camp is looking for motivated, career-minded Sailors to shape the future of the fleet by serving as Recruit Division Commanders, or RDCs.

RDCs are also known around the fleet as “red ropes” and are entrusted with the job of encouraging, training, molding, and teaching civilian men and women – and most importantly, transforming them into Sailors.

“We prepare Sailors for service in the fleet,” said RDC Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class (SW/AW) Thomas Dahlinghaus. “The job gives us the rare opportunity to have responsibility for and authority over 88 Sailors. We manage their training, their lives. By the time we go back to the fleet, we’re ready for anything. It’s a broadening experience, a time of real personal growth for RDCs.”

To be an RDC, a Sailor must be a warfare-qualified E-5 or above (E-5s must meet time-in-rate requirements) and be interviewed by a panel of one command master chief and two senior enlisted personnel.

The training of RDCs is extensive. RDCs in training take a second trip through boot camp during a demanding 13-week training program that includes indoctrination, drilling, administration, physical training and leadership training. During this time, prospective RDCs wear “blue ropes” which they will later exchange for the more familiar red aiguillette of a fully trained RDC.“

For the blue ropes, the training is critical,” said RDC Chief Hospital Corpsman Marsha Burmeister. “Those 13 weeks are giving them the tools they’ll need on that first push.”

Before donning the red rope, there is an important period when a blue rope shadows a red rope, watching what they do and gradually increasing their interaction with Recruits. A red rope is always with a blue rope during this phase, and there is a weekly performance and progress review.

Even after RDCs earn their red rope and the Recruit Division Commander badge, the training is not done. New RDCs are paired up with veteran RDCs, allowing time to fully learn what is expected before taking control of their first Recruit division.

It’s a job that comes with high standards and high rewards. One of the best rewards is the increased promotion opportunity. Last year, the Navywide average for eligible candidates being selected for chief was 20.4 percent. The average for eligible candidates serving as RDCs was 32.8 percent.

“These individuals are shaping our future force, and their demanding jobs are recognized by selection boards as developing senior enlisted leaders [who] can serve in the most challenging jobs in the Fleet,” said CNO-Directed Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Tony Driver, command master chief for Naval Service Training Command. Storekeeper 1st Class (AW) Jose Rodriguez said the job is extremely rewarding because RDCs get to see the result of their efforts.“

[Recruits] see the self respect they have gained,” Rodriguez said. “When they finish Battle Stations, they’re considered one of us. You see the tears and you know how much it means to them. After all the hours that you put in, it all comes together.”

Because Sailorization is a critical task and one that requires extensive preparation, RDCs can earn the Master Training Specialist (MTS) designator. This Naval Education Training Center-sponsored program recognizes outstanding instructors who demonstrate a high level of excellence in the field of education and training. Earning an MTS designation distinguishes Sailors in the fleet and can give Sailors an advantage in post-military career searches.

The Navy offers several types of compensation to RDCs for their efforts. RDCs receive Special Duty Assignment Pay of $375 per month and they receive a $225 clothing allowance on top of their regular clothing allowance. They get head-of-the-line privileges for housing and day care, free dry cleaning for three uniforms each week, and are offered “choice of coast” when negotiating for their follow-on orders.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate First Class (SW/AW) Maguel Lashoun Brooks appreciates those tangible benefits but said the real payoff of being an RDC is seeing the impact they make on the lives of new Sailors.“They look at you as a hero, father and a role model,” he said. “I am proud to know I am giving back to the Navy. I’ve contributed something to my service, and I’d want to serve with any of the Sailors I’ve trained.”