While visit liberty station San Diego if you’re interested in US Navy history this is a great stop. There is plenty of parking close to the ship. The ship was commissioned on July 27, 1949. It was commissioned for 18 years for much of that time it was the only landlocked ship to hold that status in the US Navy. It was used to train recruits. She is an impressive sight on land for sure! She was built to scale 2/3 the size of a Dealey class destroyer escort. She sits at the former Navy Training Center, San Diego. This ship assisted the training of over 50,000 new recruits per year, the ship still stands showing honor, courage and commitment. She is currently unused With the hopes that she will someday become a Maritime Museum. This was a must see for us.

Such a beautiful ship, Although it never was used as a actual vessel and its fake. Despite it being smaller than the ship its based after, its actually quite big. I hope to see her again in a condition thats just as good as she is today

Loved seeing this up close. My husband trained on this in boot camp 50 years ago!

Remember marching past her during boot camp in 79. Sad to see RTC/NTC gone.

Fun and interesting relic from our local naval history.

Brings back memories! I trained on it when I was in boot camp many years back.

Lots of memories here. I went to both Boot Camp and Communications school here at the former NTC San Diego. Didnt occur to me till now to check google maps and street view to see how the old base turned out. The developers did a great job creating this new neighborhood out of the old base. They kept allot of the old buildings and the USS Recruit. Wish I had the money to take a trip out to San Diego and check out these places.

This was my first time coming back here since 1991 when i joined the US Navy! It brought back a lot of memories and i gotta say they were all great memories! We Are Navy!

Glad to see they left it up brings back memories of when I went to bootcamp there

Not exactly an attraction but an interesting piece of history - formally a training vessel on land.

Historic fake ship used when this was a training base. Very cool to see

I went to boot camp in San Diego. USS Recruit brought back some great memories.

WOW...to see posts by visitors from 15-20 yrs ago, sure makes me want to revisit as well, for I went to RTC & SSC in San Diego back in 1971..woah!!!

Great to still see it is standing, as its the only one of 3 built for training future sailors that was kept. Brought back wonderful memories of my time in San Diego. While RTC and NTC are no more, the area was developed well and keeps history alive. Wonderful Park and trails to exercise. Give this place a visit for sure on your next visit.

I found the interesting and I think you may also take a few minutes and enjoy

Div 8, Co 170 1991. The gas chamber was directly across the street off her port side. Staggered down the steps and let the air flush the gas from your eyes beside this ship! Its an upscale condo community. I went there last year and a group of women were pushing strollers in neon tights doing mommy PT on our bridge where we had to at ease march to cross for chow.

Very cool! So much History about our Miliatry Men & Women that are all around Liberty Station (aka Naval Training Center)!!

Please do not miss this when youre at Liberty Station Park it is on the other side of the Marriotts next to the two Bridges. It is one of the old training vessels the Navy used to train sailors just a really cool training Vessel

Lots of history! Great place to check out.

Awesome to relive the experience did bootcamp here in 1986. The Recruit was where we got to call home from and they trained us in the gas chamber.

This ship was a part of the base where I attended boot camp back in 1990. We learned a great deal about ship operations & safety procedures. The worst part was going through the Gas Chamber room inside the ship, You would go in and don your mask. Room fills with tear gas. You took off your mask, inhaled the gas, and then had to don your mask again. Your eyes watered and snot ran down your nose. Good times!

Cool statue fun area to be at. People jogging, walking, biking. Clean area just south of liberty station

Cool little out door attraction. #free.

The recruit is a beautiful piece of naval history, even with its namesakes reputation.

You cant go in it but having it their looks nice while complimenting the naval base across the street.

I did BOOT there Nov.--1968... did sound powered phones on board the Recruit. Then off to NAS Millington.Tenn. Then off the NAS CHASE,Beeville,TEXAS.

Boot in Feb 1984. Company 028. What have they done to our beloved RTC/NTC. Theres a hotel walking distance to the SS Neversail. Unsat.

Where the tears used to fall

Unexpected attraction

Peaceful and beautiful.

History and wouldnt like a boat in a park

I dont mean to diminish its historical significance but its just a building disguised as a ship. You cant go inside. I wandered upon it by accident and took a few photos.

Who knew this was here! A very interesting piece of Naval history.

I went to RTC San Diego and did Pass in Review One month before the base closed. I still remember training on this ship and carrying all of those fire hoses!

Dear Old Dad

Went to Boot Camp here, 26 years ago, was assigned to Division 5 Company 069, across the grinder from the galley. USS Recruit you bring back a lot memories, havent seen you in a long time, I hope they are taking care of you!

I can see why the Navy moved the Recruit Training Center because this ship is in Sanddock and practically useless for training Sailors on ocean going vessels.

Boot Camp 1989, Division Five Company 303 .....oh the memories.

Sweet

Memories

A place to bring friends and family history before you

Company 571 1958

Company 167 . 1975 one of my fondest memory . !!!!

Went to bootcamp here. Navy should have kept this property.

Cool ship and bikes for rental

Cool to look at.