Seaman Recruit Isaiah Duenas, Division 206, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on May 17.

Duenas, from San Diego, California, said he joined the Navy to serve a greater cause and to honor his grandfather, retired 1st Class Petty Officer Augustine Duenas.

“By joining the Navy, I believe I will be able to visit multiple ports around the world, get the training needed to patrol the skies, and protect the Constitution and freedoms back home,” Duenas said. “I also take pride in being able to continue my grandfather’s legacy in the United States Navy.”

Duenas, 21, is a 2016 graduate of Olympian High School in Chula Vista, California. He attended San Diego City College, where he was a member of the school’s cross country and track and field teams. He also was a member of his cultural group, Guam Club, and volunteered at his local parish with youth group activities and events.

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

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) 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. Duenas is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Duenas said he was honored and humbled to have been selected for the MEA.

“Before deciding to join the Navy and coming to boot camp, I felt I was at a standstill or plateau for anything I was doing in life,” Duenas said. “Receiving this award is truly a blessing in that I feel as if I am able to move forward from that standstill and realize that I am capable of much more than I previously thought was my best.”

Duenas credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Michelle Dojan, Builder 1st Class Christopher Johnson, and Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Jarrard Kettleman for their leadership and guidance.

He also was inspired by friends and family.

“The people who motivated me the most throughout my time in boot camp were my loved ones back home,” Duenas said. “Every day when I wake up, I hear their voices resound in my mind, reminding me to do my best each day, and when things get tough they will always support me. Because of their unwavering love and faith in me, I am able to carry on each day confidently.”

For Duenas, the biggest challenge of boot camp was learning to pay attention to detail at all times.

“Being able to find the slightest mistakes in anything I do, from making my rack in the morning to firefighting training, was definitely tough,” he said. “However, I understood that out in the fleet attention to the smallest of details could be the difference needed to save a life or an entire ship.”

After graduation Duenas will attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. Following Nuclear Power School, he will attend Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) “A” School. Machinist’ Mate (Nuclear) operate and maintain Naval nuclear propulsion plants and associated equipment. They supervise and administer Naval propulsion plant operations, and thoroughly understand reactor, electrical and mechanical theory involved in the generation of nuclear reactor, steam plant, propulsion plant and auxiliary equipment They possess a detailed knowledge of reactor and steam plant chemistry and radiological controls.

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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