Navy Fireman (FN) Gage Ikonen, 18, son of Tammy and Jesse Gleaves of Alexandria, completed US Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, North Chicago, Illinois on August 22, 2024. He is a 2024 graduate of Dekalb County High School.

During the ten-week program, Gage successfully completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, also shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness. While in recruit training, Seaman Recruit (SR) Ikonen was one of 86 recruits of Division 223 and was selected to be a Recruit Section Leader during his training.

The capstone event of bootcamp is "BattleStations 21". This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "BattleStations 21" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitments.

FN Ikonen has been assigned to “A” School in Goose Creek SC to pursue Nuclear Engineering.