Seaman Recruit Aiyana Patterson, Division 344, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award Sept. 13.

Patterson, from Port Orchard, Washington, said she joined the Navy to find direction in her life.

“The Navy gave me an opportunity for new experiences, to travel, learn a job and meet people from a variety of places,” she said. “It provided stability and the opportunity to go to college without having to worry about money. There also were positive influences from my friends and family, many of whom were in the armed services and told me I would enjoy it and be successful.”

Patterson, 18, is a 2019 graduate of South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Washington, where she was a member of National Honor Society and participated in track, crew and marching band. Patterson held the rank of master chief in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and was a member of the orienteering and color guard teams.

Patterson is assigned the rating of electronics technician.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award, presented to the No. 1 recruit of their graduating training group. The MEA is awarded to the recruit who best exemplifies enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork. The award placed Patterson at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. She is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Patterson said she was surprised and honored to be selected for the MEA.

“Winning the MEA showed me that I am capable of reaching for high standards,” she said. “I felt that my interview could have gone better," she said, but being selected "showed me I shouldn’t doubt myself and [should] be confident in my abilities. The MEA means that I have to uphold the highest standards for conduct and be the best example for my shipmates that I can be, and that I should always try to reach for high goals.”

Patterson credited her Recruit Division commanders, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Anthony Clarence, Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Orion Whetstone, and Ship’s Serviceman 2nd Class Carmen Zela, for their leadership and guidance.

“All three of my RDCs pushed me throughout boot camp,” Patterson said. “They provided support and motivation to overcome hardship and succeed. They always fought for what was best for the division and personally pushed me outside of my comfort zone, teaching me to be more confident in myself and to do what I think is right.”

Patterson also recognized fellow recruit Kayla Aschwanden for motivating her and others in their division.

“Her enthusiasm and personal support that she provided me helped me drive through boot camp and be the best that I could,” Patterson said.

The toughest part of boot camp was learning to use stress in a positive way, according to Patterson.

“I didn’t want to be the one to make the wrong move and get yelled at by an RDC,” she said. “I didn’t want to stand out and be singled out as a screw-up. However, as I went through boot camp, I learned that when we got called out it was constructive. If I didn’t give myself the chance to fail, then I wouldn’t be able to learn and succeed. As I gained respect from my RDCs, I was able to ask questions and fix myself before I made a mistake.” 

After graduation, Patterson will attend apprentice technical training and electronics technician ‘A’ School at Great Lakes. Electronics technicians maintain and repair electronics equipment such as radar, communication and navigation equipment. Electronic Technicians comprise the basis of the ship’s combat systems department aboard ships and are responsible for maintaining the ships’ readiness for combat operations.

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. More than 35,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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

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