Naval Training Center Closes Doors For Good

After nearly 75 years of turning civilians into sailors and preparing them for duties around the world, Naval Training Center San Diego will close its doors today forever.

Since 1923, more than 1.75 million sailors passed through the center’s red-shingled buildings. But in the end, its history of war preparations could not save it from the Cold War thaw and military downsizing.

“I think of it as a majestic, awesome place,” said Capt. Stephen Drake, who has presided over the closure since taking command in 1995. “Basically every conflict in the world has had an impact by sailors who have been trained at the Naval Training Center.”

The federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission voted in 1993 that it would be cheaper to move the training center’s functions elsewhere. Similar centers are located near Chicago and Orlando, Fla.

More than 6,000 civilians lost their jobs as a result of the closure. Most have found other work in the three years since the commission made its decision.