Seaman Recruit Kayla Johnson, Division 434, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on November 15.

Johnson, from Bartonville, Illinois, said that among her many reasons to join the Navy, was her desire to become the best version of herself.

“I knew the Navy could develop a stronger sense of discipline in me, and teach me many lessons about character and leadership,” Johnson said. “I also like being held to high standards and being challenged, and the Navy could guarantee me that.”

Johnson, 18, is a graduate and 2019 valedictorian of Limestone Community High School in Bartonville, Illinois, where she participated in school plays. She also was a member of the softball team and student council.

Johnson is assigned the rate of Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear).

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 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. Johnson is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Johnson said winning the MEA is a “huge honor.”

“Knowing someone above me saw something in me and decided that I deserved this award really impacted me,” she said. “Having no prior military experience, I struggled to believe in myself coming into boot camp, but this award has made me feel like I can really do this. It has also caused me to hold myself to a higher standard and put even more work in every day.”

Johnson credited her Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Jericka Rainer, Damage Controlman 1st Class Carlos Beltran, and Builder 1st Class Richard Liles for the leadership and guidance.

“When it comes to my RDCs, I could not imagine having anyone else by our side these past two months,” Johnson said. “They not only teach us the usual dos and don’ts of boot camp, but they sit us down and talk to us about life as well. They held me to a very high standard and led me to being successful.”

Shipmates also supported Johnson’s development as a leader.

“Both my RDCs and my shipmates have motivated me throughout boot camp,” she said. “From the very beginning, I had a few female shipmates tell me that I motivate them to be better, which in turn motivated me to keep it up.”

Johnson said the toughest part of boot camp was becoming part of a successful team.

“Getting placed in one room with about 100 other people from all different backgrounds, and being expected to all get along is challenging,” she said. “Our division had a very wide age range, which was difficult at times. The best way I have found to overcome this is to stay humble. Accept that others may have more life under their belt and they could be a great outlet for advice if you choose to listen.”

After graduation, Johnson will attend Nuclear Machinist’s Mate “A” School in Charleston, South Carolina. She will then go to Nuclear Propulsion School and finally Prototype School.  Machinist Mate duties in nuclear propulsion plants include operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems. Murray will be able to choose between serving on an aircraft carrier and volunteering for submarine duty.

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/.