Seaman Recruit Matthew Baker, Division 077, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on January 18.

Baker, from Houston, Texas, said he joined the Navy to enhance his career skills and develop his discipline.

“During my sophomore year of college, I realized that I needed a better edge and résumé to stand out among my university peers,” Baker said. “I decided a military background or career would be the best career choice.”  

Baker, 20, is a 2016 graduate of St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. He placed third in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state wrestling tournament and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He attended the University of Houston while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management.

Baker is assigned the rate of Cryptologic Technician (Collection).

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. Baker is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Earning the MEA came as a surprise to Baker.

“I wasn’t trying to win it,” he said. “For me, it was more about trying to help my shipmates be their best. It wasn’t about me as much as I wanted all of us to achieve the most we could at each step, every day.”

Baker credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Matthew Smith, Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class David Wilderman, and Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Ammon Hontz for their leadership and guidance.

“Throughout my time at Recruit Training Command, I was constantly pushed and motivated,” Baker said. “Each of my RDCs pushed me in their own unique way — ranging from the motivation and holding of oneself to a high standard instilled by GM1 Hontz, to the attention to detail and persistence demonstrated by BM1 Wilderman, and the leadership and discipline shown consistently by Chief Smith.”

Baker said learning to become selfless was the most difficult part of boot camp.

“Having a group of individuals from all across the United States, each bringing their own uniqueness, individuality, and background, coming together to become a group that was not a division of many individuals but a single, cohesive unit working together as one was the biggest challenge,” Baker said.

After graduation, Baker will attend Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School in Pensacola, Florida. Cryptologic Technicians (Collection) operate state-of-the-art computer systems to conduct Information Operations. They collect, analyze and exploit signals of interest to identify, locate and report worldwide threats. CTRs control and safeguard access to classified material and information systems, and provide tactical and strategic signals intelligence, technical guidance, and information warfare support to surface, subsurface, air, special warfare units, and national consumers to maintain information dominance.

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/.