GREAT LAKES, ILL. — Three Recruit Training Command (RTC) petty officers were selected as Naval Station Training Command (NSTC) 2019 Instructors of the Year, Nov. 6.
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| Chief Fire Controlman Derek Webb |
Webb, a native of San Diego, has been a Recruit Division Commander (RDC) for eight graduating divisions as well as a couple of Sea Cadet divisions.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition. However, it’s more so for everybody that I work with,” said Webb. “Any time you are training somebody or teaching them something, if you’re doing it right and make that connection with them on a correct level, they want you to succeed. So, myself, winning Senior Instructor of the Year, it’s not just for me, it’s for everybody else to observe and say, ‘He’s been doing it right the entire time and he’s been invested.’ What that also pays homage to is my family as I put in a lot of hours. At least I can say, ‘WE are the Senior IOY. I couldn’t do it without you all and the work I’ve been doing is not just going to waste.’”
He currently serves as a RDC “C” School instructor and after having been at RTC for three-and-half years, he next heads to San Diego to serve on USS Higgins (DD 76).
Prior to accepting orders to RTC, Webb was stationed in Mayport, Florida, on USS Vicksburg (CG-69).
“It’s very rewarding to these young recruits and see them come from in-processing days in sweatsuits and see the transformation over time,” said Webb. “To hear the conversations that you have with them and the bond you get with them and see them all working together at the end where their own parents hardly notice them — it makes it all worth it.”
Webb, whose father is a retired senior chief, said he joined the Navy with the goal of becoming a master chief.
“I love the Navy and everything that the Navy is supposed to do and what it stands for. Everyone joins for a reason and I think sometimes they forget that reason as to why they joined,” he said. “Every once in a while we all need to get recalibrated and reminded of that reason to get right back into the fight.”
Upon reflecting on his experience as an RDC, Webb recommends that incoming sailors will find success if they are willing to go outside of their comfort zone.
“We need RDCs,” he said. “It’s competitive, yes, but once you get outside of your comfort zone and realize all the things that we do, if you can be an RDC, you can do any job at a high level with the upmost professionalism.”