A two-thirds-sized replica landlocked Dealey-class destroyer escort built by the Navy and given commissioned status, USS Recruit (TDE-1/TFFG-1) was constructed aboard Naval Training Center San Diego for more realistic recruit training in 1949.
Sailors gather in front of the newly built USS Recruit in July 1949. (National Archives)
She looked so good that the opening and closing scenes of the Don Rickles comedy CPO Sharkey were shot there.
NTC Orlando had a similar concept– USS Bluejacket— as did NTC Bainbridge, Maryland (USS Commodore) while NTC Great Lakes currently has the concrete-bound USS Trayer (BST-21).
Used in one form or another until 1997– after she was refurbished to look more like an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, hence the later TFFG-1 designation.
July 1982 Original Caption: Staff members of the Recruit Training Command line the rails of the newly retrofitted USS Recruit. Constructed in 1949 and affectionately known as the “USS Neversail”, Recruit is a mock frigate used for training purposes. (National Archives 29011234)
When San Diego was closed, USS Recruit became the property of the local redevelopment effort and was threatened with destruction more than once.
Now, after a decade of effort, she has been refurbished once more and, as part of the Liberty Station development, just opened to the public.
