Seaman Recruit Gerald Baker, Division 307, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) on August 10.

Baker, from Columbus, Ohio, said he joined the Navy in order to make a better life for himself and his family.

“I joined the Navy in order to pursue a more established life with a stable career to support my family,” he said. “The Navy presents opportunities for mobility, as well as potential career advancement.”

Baker, 32, was a teacher at a high school in Columbus, Ohio where he also coached football as well as track and field. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from The Ohio State University in 2007, and a master’s degree in education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2011.

He was assigned the rate of Intelligence Specialist.

The Navy Club of the United States MEA 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.

Baker said it was an overwhelmingly humbling experience to earn the MEA.

“I am honored just to have the opportunity to serve in our military,” Baker said. “Beyond that, I have crossed paths with so many outstanding fellow recruits here at boot camp and to even be numbered among them is an honor and a blessing.”

Baker credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Yeoman Chalantay Yelder, Fire Controlman 2nd Class Scott Gibson, Damage Controlman 2nd Class Darrell Balancio for their leadership and guidance.

“I was given outstanding guidance by my RDCs throughout boot camp,” Baker said. “I arrived at Recruit Training Command with no previous military connections or experience. However, under the strict discipline and caring direction of Chief Yelder, I was able to do things I would have not imagined possible.”

Baker said he was inspired by his family to be his best.

 “The biggest challenge of boot camp for me was leaving my lovely wife, Khalila, and children for so long,” he said. “My love for them and the pain of being away from them for so long fueled me to work harder and make sure this opportunity was not wasted.” 

After graduation, Baker will attend Intelligence Specialist School Dam Neck, Virginia. Intelligence Specialists assist in every phase of the planning, collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information. They assemble and analyze multi-source operational intelligence in support of all warfare areas, assist in support of intelligence briefings, reporting, and analytical programs.

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 30,000 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/.