Seaman Recruit Jaime Asencio Rivera, Division 274, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on July 6.

Asencio Rivera, from Ponce, Puerto Rico, said he joined the Navy to become part of something larger than himself.

"I felt lost in life, I didn't see a clear future and I needed a change," he said. "I love sports; I love being in a teamwork environment. What better choice than the Navy?"

Asencio Rivera, 23, is a 2012 graduate of Academia San Antonio de Guayama in Guayama, Puerto Rico. He attended the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and is pursuing a degree in accounting. He also was a manager of one his family-owned restaurants.

Asencio Rivera is assigned the rate of Electronics Technician.

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. Asencio Rivera is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Asencio Rivera said winning the MEA taught him an important lesson.

"To be honest, I never thought I would win any award at all, but what I did do was work hard," he said. "Hard work pays at the end. It is an honor and privilege to be able to win this award."

Asencio Rivera credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Talia Horne, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class James Johnson and Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Justin Taylor for their leadership and guidance.

"All my RDCs were excellent, but I have to say Petty Officer Johnson made a huge impact during my two months in boot camp," Asencio Rivera said. "He helped me to grow as a professional and as a person. He taught me that there is no honor in being great if you don't help others become even greater."

Asencio Rivera said learning to live in a compartment with other recruits was his toughest part of boot camp.

"At first, I couldn't stand having no privacy at all," he said. "But as the weeks went by and I got to know my division better, I started to feel better and work as part of a team."

After graduation, he 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. About 38,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

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


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