Seaman Recruit Gabriella Diaz, Division 068, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) Jan. 11.

Diaz, from Brandon, Florida, said she joined the Navy to pursue a career that is challenging and meaningful.

“I feel it leads to more opportunities and experiences when you do things others are afraid to do or hold themselves back from,” she said. “I wanted to have the opportunity to love my job, and both help and protect others at the same time.”

Diaz, 20, is a 2017 graduate of Brandon High School in Brandon, Florida.

Diaz is assigned the rate of Electronics Technician.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award 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 her at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Diaz is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Diaz credited her Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Electrician’s Mate Susan Pavao, Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Ryan Zanol, and Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Angel Espinoza for their leadership and guidance.

Diaz said she was proud to be selected for the MEA.

“Being awarded the MEA motivates me beyond whatever motivation I had,” she said. “It means a lot to be recognized so early in my Navy career. It proves that anyone, from any background, can do great things and push themselves further than they know.”

Diaz drew inspiration from her mother, Maria Velarde, who she calls a role model.

“My most significant motivator is my mother,” she said. “She is the most selfless, independent and toughest person I know. Being a single mom, and seeing her do everything on her own, makes me appreciative of her efforts and motivates me to be the best that I can be as she always put her best into all of her efforts. I hope to be half as much as the person she is.”

Being in training at RTC during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s was the tough part of boot camp for Diaz.

“I am very family oriented and spend a lot of time with them so it was hard to not get upset,” she said. “I had to remind myself why I came and the bigger picture of what being at RTC means. It’s the starting point of a lifetime.”

After graduation, Diaz 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 30,0000 recruits graduate annually from 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/.