Seaman Recruit Allyson Gibbar, Division 020, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA), Nov. 22.

Gibbar, a native of Walla Walla, Washington, joined the Navy with her wife, Sarah Kunkle, who is currently at Hospital Corpsman "A" school in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

"I wanted to better myself for her as well as build a good foundation for our future together," Gibbar said. "I also wanted something new and different that would push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me in ways I would not get by going the ordinary route of college."

Gibbar, 20, was assigned the rate of cryptologic technician (interpretive).

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award presented to the number one recruit of their graduating training group. The MEA is awarded to the recruit that best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork. The award placed her at the pinnacle of today's newest Sailors. Gibbar was awarded a flag letter of commendation.

"Winning the MEA means I can finally believe in myself," Gibbar said. "Coming into RTC, I did not have a lot of confidence in myself or abilities as I felt I did not really have a purpose or real long-term goal. Now, winning the MEA, I have been able to prove to myself that if I just believe in myself and keep going with strong tenacity I can do anything. Tenacity is what separates the good from the great. It means to me that even when you just want to give up and not do the work anymore, in the end, if you just keep going, the results will be extremely beneficial."

Learning she had been selected as the MEA was a surprising and emotional experience for Gibbar.

"My initial reaction was complete and utter amazement," Gibbar said. "I knew I had put in the hard work and dedication to be able to win, but knew I had some tough competition. When [Chief Fire Controlman Christopher Morgan] told me at chow, I almost started to tear up. I knew my hard work had paid off. I had been able to perform under pressure and stress to be able to exceed expectations and earn the top spot. It felt really liberating to know that I could do anything I set my mind to."

Gibbar credited Morgan and her other recruit division commanders, Operations Specialist 1st Class Ashley Chan and Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Eric Silva, with pushing her and setting a high standard.

"It was about week three into training I went into his office and said, 'Chief, I want to know more about what it takes to be top recruit,'" Gibbar said. "He helped me prepare and always set a high standard for me and always said he was proud of me."

Gibbard said she was also motivated by her wife's success in bootcamp.

"She was also on the awards board when she was in training at RTC and as a joking statement said I had to beat her, which meant I had to get the MEA," Gibbar said. "I kept that in mind going through training, not to make a competition out of it, but knowing that if I did end up winning or at least came close, it would make her proud either way."

Gibbard said she intends to approach her "A" school and Navy career with the same commitment and self-confidence she built in bootcamp.

"Winning the MEA means that I am capable of anything I set my mind to," Gibbard said. "To me, it means I was able to really step out of my comfort zone and overcome challenges I never thought I would endure, whether it was physical, mental or emotional challenges experienced here at RTC."

Following graduation, Gibbar will head to Monterey, California to attend the Defense Language Institute. Gibbar will study her selected language, Korean, which consists of comprehensive language instruction.

Boot camp is approximately eight weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control, along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. About 30,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.