Seaman Recruit Nicole O’Dell, Division 165, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on April 5.

O’Dell, from Elkhorn, Nebraska, said she joined the Navy out of a sense of duty.

“I made the decision to join the Navy because I wanted to earn the privilege of giving back to this country that has given so much to me,” O’Dell said. “I am seeking to live a life truly in service of others and the Lord.”

O’Dell, 24, is a 2012 graduate of Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, Nebraska. She graduated from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, in 2015 with a major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. Before joining the Navy, O’Dell worked as an oil field manager for a frac sand operations company in Texas.

O’Dell is assigned the rate of Gunner’s Mate.

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 her at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. O’Dell is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

O’Dell said support from others was critical to her being named the MEA winner.

“I came to boot camp believing that honor is not given, it is earned,” she said. “Being selected to receive the MEA award is a great honor, but I would not be here without the steadfast support of my family or loyalty of my fellow shipmates.”

O’Dell credits her recruit Division Commanders, Chief Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) Moises Tamayo, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Reshad Hope, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Carly O’Brien for their guidance and leadership.

Faith and family play an important role in O’Dell’s life.

“My greatest source of strength comes from God and my parents, Kevin and Deb Garrison, who have been unwavering in their love and support for me throughout all the adventures in my life thus far,” she said.  

O’Dell said she learned valuable lessons during her boot camp experience.

“The most challenging aspect of boot camp, for me, was making the transition out of being an individual,” she said. “The Navy has taught me what true teamwork and loyalty means ­­– one team, one fight — and that is a realization well worth the struggle it was to accomplish,” she said.

After graduation, Phillips will attend Gunner’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes.

Gunner's Mates are responsible for the operation and maintenance of guided missile launching systems, underwater explosive weapons such as torpedoes, rockets and missiles, and the systems used to launch them, gun mounts and other ordnance equipment as well as small arms magazines. They work with electrical and electronic circuitry: mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

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.

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For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.