Seaman Recruit Reid Flinn, Division 176, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on April 12.

Flinn, from Rock Hill, South Carolina, said his reasons for joining the Navy came from a sense of duty and his family.

“I love my country and have a desire to protect those dear to me,” Flinn said. “But mainly, because I have seen enough of the world to know that what we have here in the United States, in terms of freedoms and ideals, is worth preserving.”

Flinn, 30, graduated from Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 2006. He graduated from Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. He worked as an account manager and a salesman before joining the Navy.

Flinn is assigned the rate of Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance).

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 him at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Flinn is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Flinn said he was proud to win the MEA and honored to represent other Sailors in his training group.

“I know several of the other candidates and they are equally deserving,” Flinn said. “The feeling that comes to mind is affirmation. Winning this award affirms to me that I belong in the world’s finest Navy, next to the best men and women this country has to offer.”

Flinn credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Fire Controlman David Beal, Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class David Richardson and Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Racquel Gunnell for their guidance and leadership.

He also cited his wife, Samantha Flinn, as a constant source of inspiration.

“Likely more than she even realizes,” he said. “The selfless way in which she serves others gives me inspiration to do the same. She constantly tells me how proud I make her, and that is all the motivation I need. (Nothing) can take away that inner joy. I give her all the credit for pushing me to push myself as far as I can.”

Flinn said the biggest challenge he faced in boot camp was staying positive and in the moment. 

“The repetitive nature of the work and (all) that your mind and body take on for eight straight weeks can really get you down if you let it,” he said. “You have to actively choose to focus on the positive things and to take the days one at a time, not looking too far ahead or behind.”

After graduation, Flinn will attend Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) preparatory school and “A” school in Pensacola, Florida. Cryptologic Technicians (Maintenance) perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical and electronic cryptologic and ancillary systems used for communications, analysis, monitoring, tracking, recognition and identification, electronic attack and physical security. They install, test, troubleshoot, repair or replace cryptologic networks, physical security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, personal computers, auxiliary equipment, digital and optical interfaces, and data systems.

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 35,0000 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/.