Local High School Graduate Trades Cell Phone for Sailor's Cap: Embarks on Transformative Naval Journey

PANAMA CITY, FL. Imagine a kid graduating high school nowadays and putting away their cell phone for ten weeks. That is exactly what Max Randall did after high school graduation. Max Randall, a recent North Bay Haven High School Graduate spent his summer at Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command in Chicago, Illinois learning what it takes to be a United States Sailor. Upon graduating from Naval boot camp, Max confessed to his parents that he hadn't realized how much time he used to waste on his cell phone.

Max is the oldest child of Ted and Mary Randall and was born and raised in Panama City. He has two younger brothers and a younger sister. Max was home schooled for many years but in the tenth grade, he entered North Bay Haven Charter Academy. At North Bay Haven, Max joined the Sea Cadet unit hoping for some leadership opportunities and experience. From there, he became interested in joining The United States Navy. By June 11th, 2023, following high school graduation, Max was on an airplane headed for Chicago Illinois.

Naval Recruit Training is a ten-week experience designed to develop young men and women into resilient, tough professional sailors needed in a modern navy. Besides learning how to thrive and contribute to shipboard life, the United States Navy now teaches basic life skills including time management and financial management. The whole program is designed to forge a more focused and deployable sailor.

Max found boot camp challenging but fun. The most difficult part for him was being separated from family and friends. Max looked forward to letters and spent any spare time journaling. They only were able to make phone calls from a payphone on about three occasions during boot camp. Max has a rather large and close family. Lucky for him, they were very supportive, and he received many letters during his training.

Following boot camp, Max was transferred to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for Fire Fighting and Basic Engineering Common Core Training. This training is followed by A-School training for his job as a Machinist Mate where he will learn the basics of steam cycle propulsion.

Max is just about complete with all his training now and is getting ready to transfer to LHD-4, The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship home ported at Naval Station San Diego, California.

When asked if he had regrets or would do it all over again, Max responded that he is very happy with this path. Thus far it has taught him valuable skills that he could never learn anywhere else, such as noticing small details. Additionally, being put in so many stressful situations during training is a major confidence builder. He is looking forward to his first duty station assignment aboard The USS Boxer. Job well done Max!!

Photos from Max Randall