Navy special events begin at NTC Great Lakes.

First impressions are lasting ones and the recreational programs that recruits and students experience through MWR departments exemplify the services at future duty stations. To set the standard, MWR Great Lakes showcases spectacular special events throughout the year.

All Navy recruits complete basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, so MWR likes to provide more than the usual drill hall movie or game lounge. They organize and execute special events throughout the year for new recruits. During the holiday season, MWR hosts a concert with live entertainment. This year the official band of the Chicago Bears, R-Gang, performed. The MWR fun and excitement continues after graduation, as well.

Many students remain at Great Lakes after graduation and move on to Service School Command (SSC) or Hospital Corps School. Great Lakes has the largest student population and; therefore, must be creative with its special event planning.

The Young Adult Program (YAP) exercised such creativity when it formed the Great Lakes Polar Bear Club, that requires an icy initiation, called the Polar Bear Jump. On a sunny, February day over 180 sailors courageously took the required plunge into the 36-degree waters of Lake Michigan. The newly initiated members were awarded official Polar Bear Club sweatshirts, hot coffee and hot cocoa. Afterwards, an indoor pool party with games and prices further warmed their spirits.

Other events on MWR's calendar include Professional IWF Wrestling, Golden Glove Boxing, the MCI(*) Ambassadors of Baseball Tour, the Miller Lite(*) Comics on Duty Tour, Six Flags Great America's Navy Nite, barracks and beach bashes, the grand opening of the new Club Nitro, the annual. Fourth of July Celebration, and much more.

The Six Flags Navy Nite is an MWR Great Lakes exclusive. Every year, MWR and Six Flags Great American Theme Park team up to bring all Navy personnel, their families and guests a night of fun, with discounted admission and free parking. Since the theme park is closed to the general public that night, Seaman enjoy riding everything from roller coasters to carousels, without the crowds and the long lines.

The MCI(*) Ambassadors of Baseball Tour is another exciting diversion from the books. This year, baseball legends Harmon Killebrew, Bill Lee, Paul Blair, Tug McGraw, Bert Campaneris, and Doug Flynn visited various commands, met personnel and autographed free baseballs and baseball cards for their many fans on base.

As if baseball greats weren't enough, MWR Great Lakes brought in more celebrities with the Lite Beer(*) Comics on Duty Tour. Three of America's most exciting headline comedians, Don Gavin, Chris Bliss and Carl Banks, kept sailors' sides splitting for hours.

The largest and most spectacular event at NTC Great Lakes is always the annual Fourth of July Celebration. This year's celebration required two days to accommodate all of the entertainment, food and fun. On Monday, July 3, popular blues artists, Lonnie Brooks and Junior Wells, fired up the stage for Red, White and Blues Night. On Independence Day, over 25,000 people experienced a fire-cracking good time with live entertainment like the Sheer's Lumberjack Show, the USO Comedy Tent, the U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes and the headline band, KANSAS.

Navy MWR special events are not designed simply for fun. They provide a high level of entertainment for military students and personnel with the convenience and safety of an on-base location. These events are an integral part of military recreation. The MWR Department at Great Lakes strives to provide the best events possible to satisfy the recreational needs of active duty sailors and their families.

Because these sailors are far from their homes, MWR special events are even more "special." These events provide a lot of entertainment choices, relieve stress, cure homesickness and provide a sense of community which is needed to keep morale up.

(*) The Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy neither endorse nor recommend any of the previously mentioned sponsors and/or their products.