Seaman Recruit Thomas Wayne Martin, Division 250, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award on July 12.

Martin, from San Diego, said he joined the Navy to serve his nation, and protect the people and freedoms he values most in life.

“Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by naval vessels and Sailors,” said Martin. “My father, Stacy Martin, was an electrical engineer and a naval air crewman. His father, Thomas Martin, instilled upon him a work ethic and values that lasted into adulthood. It was those values and work ethic, coupled with the imagination of being a Sailor, which led me to making the decision to become a Sailor.”

Martin, 30, is a 2007 graduate of Windsor High School in Windsor, California. He was a four-time Sonoma County League wrestling champion and a two-time Amatuer Athletic Union (AAU) Taekwondo state champion. Martin attended San Francisco City College while pursuing a degree in anthropology.

Martin is assigned the rate of Hospital Corpsman.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) is the top award presented to the number one 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. Martin is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Martin said he was elated and honored to be selected for the MEA.

“Winning the MEA means that I was successful in following the directions of my Recruit Division Commanders (RDC) and relying on the teamwork of my shipmates to help me become a basically trained Sailor,” said Martin.

Martin credited his RDCs, Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Matthew Smith, Engineman 2nd Class Jordan Alcantra and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Brady Arentz for their leadership and guidance.

“My RDCs motivated me in unique and individual ways,” Martin said. “Chief Smith taught me to follow basic instructions and pay attention to the minutest details, which is a skill that will translate to the fleet. Petty Officer Alcantra taught me that we must rely on each other as shipmates to succeed and Petty Officer Arentz was there every step of the way to keep me motivated.”

Martin said maintaining a positive outlook was his toughest challenge at boot camp.

“The toughest part, for me, was keeping a light heart despite the amalgamation of challenges from both inside and outside the division,” said Martin. “My father once said to me, ‘Nothing in life worth doing is easy, and anything easy isn’t worth doing.’”

After graduation, Martin will attend Hospital Corpsman “A” School in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio where he will learn basic principles and techniques of patient care and first-aid procedures.

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/.