Seaman Recruit Ronald Houston III, Division 193, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on May 3.

Houston, from Dover, New Hampshire, joined the Navy to broaden his horizons.

“I wanted to travel the world, experience different cultures, and apply myself to an organization that exhibits commitment to the nation as well as those abroad,” Houston said. “I believe everyone should experience as much of the world as possible.”

Houston, 23, is a 2014 graduate of Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, where he was pursuing a degree in bio informatics and was a member of the rowing team.

“Being a very demanding sport, it provided a foundation of seven traits that we lived by every day, which go hand in hand with the Navy Core Values and commanding officer’s Core Attributes. Exemplifying these traits was a driving force behind my decision to pursue a career in the Navy.”

Houston is assigned the rate 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 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. Houston is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

“Winning the MEA is humbling and reminds me that there is always room to grow no matter how proficient you are at something,” Houston said. “At the end of the day, this award is the result of numerous individuals giving me the tools necessary to execute and improve and for that, I couldn’t be more grateful.”

 Houston credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Ryan Anderson, Fire Controlman (Aegis) 1st Class Chantal McLelland, Machinery Repairman 1st Class Richard Sanchez for their leadership and guidance.

He also recognized the contributions of others who have influenced him, including his father, Navy veteran Ronald Houston II.

“All of my mentors and coaches growing up played significant roles in shaping who I am today,” Houston said. “My father always encouraged me to commit 110 percent to everything, no matter how small the task. That mentality has carried me to where I am now and will continue to do so in all my endeavors. In addition, my significant other, Bethany, is a shining example of the resilient, motivated, and ambitious person I strive to be and drives me to be better every single day.

Houston said the biggest challenge of boot camp was becoming part of a successful team.

“It’s difficult to throw together 80 or so recruits from different cultures, regions of the world, and ways of thinking into one compartment and create a team that can work together,” he said. “Transforming from an individual to a teammate is a daunting task, especially within the stressful training environment. However, our diversity as individuals, which seems like a detriment, actually benefits us. We are slowly learning that everyone plays a role in the division’s success and that mutual respect is key to making a disorganized band of recruits into a well-oiled machine, ready to engage any challenge that comes our way.”

After graduation, he 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 35,0000 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/.