Navy boot camp, officially known as Basic Military Training (BMT), currently lasts 9 weeks. This is a recent change effective from early 2025, when the Navy shortened the training from 10 weeks to 9 weeks to streamline the curriculum and eliminate redundancies without removing any key topics
. Previously, the boot camp had been extended to 10 weeks in 2022 to include more life skills and professional development training, up from the traditional 8 weeks
. The new 9-week schedule still covers all essential training areas such as firefighting, seamanship, watchstanding, physical fitness, and leadership, culminating in the intense Battle Stations exercise
. In summary:
- Until 2021: 8 weeks
- 2022 to 2024: 10 weeks
- Starting January 2025: 9 weeks
The training takes place at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, and is designed to prepare recruits thoroughly for Navy service while improving training efficiency
