Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Military Site History
Naval Training Center Orlando
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, November 20, 2021
1. Military Site History Marker
Construction of the Orlando Naval Training Center (NTC)
Orlando NTC was home to the Recruit Training Command (RTC), the Service School Command, and the Nuclear Power School. In 1973, Orlando became the sole site of recruit training for enlisted women, making it the first co-ed boot camp in U.S. Navy history.
NTC Orlando was originally an Army Corps logistics base in1941 and comprised of all the land between what is now Baldwin Park and the Orlando Executive Airport. In 1968, the Air Force turned over the Orlando Air Force Base to the Navy.
Robert Baldwin’s Legacy
Baldwin Park, named after Robert H.B. Baldwin, Undersecretary of the Navy in 1968, was part of an Army Air Station in WWII, and became the site of the Orlando NTC from 1968 until its closure in 1995.
A Landlocked Training Ship
The USS Bluejacket was used as a training ship at NTC Orlando. This unique base icon served from 1968 to 1993 and stood watch over most of the recruits that marched on the ‘north grinder’.
[Captions:]
On May 3, 1969, the Florida Citrus Queen christened the USS Bluejacket at the Naval Training Center Orlando.
In the picture the Navy is creating more workspace. NTC Orlando occupied 1125 acres which included the Naval Hospital,
this page online
Erected by City of Orlando.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Military • Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.
Location. 28° 34.491′ N, 81° 20.272′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from General Rees Avenue north of Lower Park Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker located within Blue Jacket Park and is placed on the site of the former Orlando Naval Training Center parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2051 General Rees Ave, Orlando FL 32814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lone Sailor Memorial of Central Florida (here, next to this marker); A City Within A City (here, next to this marker); Arrival at Recruit Training Command Orlando (here, next to this marker); Day in the Life of a Recruit (here, next to this marker); Graduation (here, next to this marker); Honoring Women Sailors of the Navy’s First Co-Ed Boot Camp (here, next to this marker); Blue Jacket Recruit Bronze Statue Honoring Our Women Sailors (a few steps from this marker); The Navy & Marine Corps in Orlando Today (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orlando.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, November 20, 2021
2. Military Site History Marker
Also see . . . Naval Training Center Orlando. (Submitted on November 26, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 173 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
