Seaman Recruit Kanesia Daniels, Division 285, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on July 20.
Daniels, from Corsicana, Texas, said she joined the Navy to honor and protect her family and loved ones.
"Traveling the world is always a big plus, but making sure my family is taken care of is a big priority to me," said Daniels. "Since I was a little girl, whenever I would see a military member, I always thought to myself, 'They look so sharp in that uniform. I want to be like them.' As I grew older I realized it wasn't about the uniform. Bad things were happening in the world and I then wanted to help fix it and protect it so that my family and everyone can rest peacefully knowing they are protected, not only by the grace of God, but by his Sailors as well."
Daniels, 26, graduated from Rice High School, in Rice, Texas where she was heavily involved in sports including basketball, track, cross country and powerlifting.
"I could never sit around and not do anything. It was a must that I played sports and I had to strive to be the best. Sometimes I fell short of that but I never gave up on the bigger picture. I went on to play college basketball for Lago Vista in San Antonio, Texas and as that season ended, I played semiprofessional football for San Antonio Regulators, a full-tackle, all-female team."
Daniels is assigned the rate of Aviation Ordnanceman.
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. Daniels is awarded a flag letter of commendation.
Being named the MEA came as a shock to Daniels who never thought she would be chosen.
"Winning the MEA has opened my mind to be more positive and trusting within myself and made me a more secure individual," she said. "I never thought I would be given the opportunity, but it's here and I'm so thankful every day for it. This accomplishment wouldn't have been possible without God and trusting in his word and prayer."
Daniels credits her RDCs, Chief Electronics Technician Ashley Kempton, Air-Traffic Controller 1st Class Jacob Ruiz and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Glen Bell Jr. for giving her motivation.
"Every inspection, drill or test I strived to do my best because it's what they taught us. Chief Kempton motivated me in ways I didn't know until I realized that she's a woman who works hard for what she wants and has and I want to be that person," said Daniels. She doesn't give up until it's done and done correctly. Petty Officer Ruiz and Petty Officer Bell also made it possible for me to get through boot camp and always made me realize everything is business and needs to be done, no matter what."
While she looked up to her superiors for support, Daniels also received encouragement from the division's Recruit Chief Petty Officer, Seaman Recruit Tasia Cooper.
"She never left my side in knowledge and helping me stay on the straight path when I felt like I couldn't do it - she was there to lift me up and push me through. If I didn't get it, she made sure that I got it, even if it was before herself," said Daniels. "Last but never least, I would like to thank my family and loved ones. Their support was outstanding and I couldn't have done it without them. The motivations, pictures and kind words they sent brought me a long way in boot camp. Just knowing it's them for whom I'm doing this makes it all worthwhile. From my mother, all the way down to my nephew, I couldn't have done any of it without the continuous support from beginning to end. They are my reason."
After graduation, Daniels will attend Aviation Ordnanceman "A" School in Pensacola, Florida.
Aviation Ordnancemen are aircraft armament (weapons) specialists in charge of storing, servicing, inspecting and handling of all types of weapons and ammunition carried on Naval aircraft.
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/.