1964 Special Report on the Naval Training Center Mel Knoepp filed two special reports on the NTC in San Diego in May 1964 in celebration of Armed Forces Day. 50,000 recruits a year left civilian life—as Mel said transitioning from leather jackets to blue jackets. The first order of business was a date with a barber. Long hours on the parade field to ensure that marching becomes second nature, physical fitness and the instilling of competitive spirit come early in training. He also undergoes a round of tests to determine what specialized training he may be suited for. Thirty percent of the time was spent in the classroom soaking up information on rules and regulations, basic Navy terminology, fundamentals of seamanship, and more. As many as 20,000 recruits were enrolled under Captain David F. Loomis. Some 30-50 percent of the graduating boots receive immediate schooling in specialized schools and can look forward to advanced training in the Service School command. There were 22 schools at NTC and courses ranged from 2 – 24 weeks. The high line transfer is used in transferring men or objects from ship to ship at sea. They learn how to fight fires at the brand-new school on Camp Elliott. Point Loma residents were glad that the school was moved off Harbor Drive where thick black clouds of smoke filled the sky for years. Training lasted nine weeks and they displayed their talents on the parade field…also know as the grinder. The last film clip is the Mess Hall. NTC Liberty Station