Searching for "Illinois boot camp"? If you mean military basic training, there's only one answer: Recruit Training Command (RTC) at Naval Station Great Lakes, in North Chicago, Illinois. Here's why, and how it's different from other "boot camp" searches you might run into.
Great Lakes Is the Only Boot Camp in Illinois
Naval Station Great Lakes is home to RTC, which trains every enlisted Sailor in the U.S. Navy — and it's the only Navy boot camp in the country. It's also the only military basic training location of any branch based in Illinois. The Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all run their basic training elsewhere (Fort Moore/Fort Jackson for the Army, Lackland AFB for the Air Force, Parris Island/San Diego for the Marines, and Cape May for the Coast Guard).
If You Meant Something Else
"Illinois boot camp" also turns up searches for civilian fitness boot camps, weight-loss programs, or youth discipline programs — none of which are related to military service. If you're here because your family member is headed to (or graduating from) military training in Illinois, you're in the right place: it's Navy boot camp at Great Lakes.
Where Great Lakes Is
Naval Station Great Lakes sits on Lake Michigan in North Chicago, Illinois, about 40–50 minutes north of Chicago O'Hare and a similar distance from Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport. It's easy to reach by car from either airport, which is why most graduation-week families fly into one of the two.
Planning a Visit for Graduation
Hotels Near Great Lakes
Where to stay in Gurnee, Waukegan & Lake Bluff.
Airport & Directions
Getting from O'Hare or Milwaukee to the base.
How Long Is Boot Camp?
The full 9-week training timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there more than one boot camp in Illinois?
No. Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago is the only military basic training location in Illinois, and it's the U.S. Navy's only boot camp nationwide.
Where exactly is Illinois' Navy boot camp located?
Naval Station Great Lakes is in North Chicago, Illinois, on Lake Michigan, about 40–50 minutes from both Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee's airport.
Do the Army, Air Force, or Marines have boot camp in Illinois?
No. Only the Navy trains recruits in Illinois. The Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps all run basic training at bases in other states.