Seaman Recruit Jocelyn Dennett, Division 091, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command and earned the Military Excellence Award, March 10.

Dennett, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, joined the Navy to pursue a career in Navy special warfare and selected the rating of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician. Prior to enlisting Jan. 11, she attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in building and construction technology, May 8. She worked as a construction inspector for the town of Greenfield until leaving for boot camp.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) is the top award presented to the No. 1 recruit of his or her graduating training group. The MEA is awarded to the recruit who 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, and she was awarded a flag letter of commendation.

"I am extremely grateful to be receiving this; it was very unexpected," said Dennett. "I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me in everything I do. Additionally, I would like to thank my coaches, mentors, scouts, and instructors for pushing me physically and mentally to prepare me for my pipeline training."

After graduation, Dennett will stay in Great Lakes to attend a three-week EOD preparatory course for her pipeline which consists of physical strength, endurance, and aquatic adaptability before advancing to a nine-week dive school at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida. The final leg of the 51 weeks of rigorous training is 42 weeks of EOD School at Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

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 30,000-40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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