Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) announced two Sailors from Recruit Training Command (RTC) and one Sailor from Navy Band Great Lakes as the Sailors and Bluejacket of the Year in their respective categories, Nov. 20.

Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Yamilka Carvajal, named Senior Sailor of the Year, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) Second Class Demarcus Bartee, named Junior Sailor of the Year, are assigned to RTC, the Navy’s only boot camp. Musician Third Class Danlie Cuenca, named Bluejacket of the Year, is assigned to Navy Band Great Lakes.

“The Sailor of the Year program is a great opportunity for leadership to recognize the best that their commands have to offer when it comes to their Sailors and the outstanding work that they are accomplishing,” said NSTC Command Master Chief Jimmy Haley.

Carvajal was previously a member of RTC’s Fleet Quality Assurance, a group of specially trained Sailors whose responsibility is ensuring all training is maintaining the highest standards and is now back to training recruits as a Recruit Division Commander (RDC).

Bartee currently serves at the RDC ‘C’ School as an instructor, working diligently to support the training of select Sailors who will go on to train, mentor, and instill the values and discipline of the Navy in its newest recruits.

The result of Carvajal and Bartee’s hard work is transforming civilians into sharply-disciplined, physically-fit, and basically-trained Sailors ready to carry out the Navy mission across the globe. A significant responsibility, considering RTC operates as the Navy’s only enlisted basic training facility.

Cuenca performs as a singer and entertainer with the Navy Band Great Lakes. Serving NSTC’s mission of transforming volunteers into 21st century Sea Warriors, Navy Band Great Lakes performs ceremonies to honor recruits, Sailors, and their families weekly during the recruit graduation at RTC. Also, as the Navy's "Ambassadors to the Midwest," Navy Band Great Lakes performs for hundreds of thousands yearly. They provide musical support for communities of all sizes as well as supporting U.S. Navy recruiting in a nine-state area of responsibility reaching from Michigan to North Dakota and every Midwestern state in between.

Carvajal took some time out of the intense schedule of an RDC when beginning training with a new division to impart some words of thanks to both her command and some advice to those who will follow.

“I’ve never seen anything like the way RTC integrates. I truly believe in the leadership, mentorship, and camaraderie at this command,” said Carvajal. “There is a strong system in place here, and my success as well as a lot of others is a product of that. For that, I'll be forever grateful.”

“This has been a humbling experience,” she continued. “Everything isn't about being the greatest, sometimes it is just about trusting the process and being a good person; you do those things and everything will fall into place in due time.”

Reflecting on what it means to be a Sailor, and what his shipmates can do to set themselves apart, Bartee placed emphasis on strong leadership, personal dedication, and a willingness to put long hours and hard work into accomplishing the mission.

“I’m thankful to have great leaders and peers who told me to keep pushing forward when I thought about taking a step back,” said Bartee. “Keep working hard and never let someone tell you that you can’t do something. If you have a dream, you have to protect it.”

Cuenca attributed her work ethic and inspiration to her leading chief petty officer, Master Chief Musician Jason Gromacki, along with the rest of her leadership and shipmates in the Navy Band.

“MUCM Gromacki is an inspiration to me, as well as the people I work with and their experiences,” said Cuenca. “I'm a bit younger than the rest of my colleagues, and I look up to them. Their guidance inspires me to become a better version of myself.”

NSTC supports 98 percent of initial officers and enlisted accessions training for the Navy. This includes the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at more than 160 colleges and universities; Officer Training Command (OTC) on Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island; RTC; as well as Navy Junior ROTC/Navy National Defense Cadet Corps at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

For more information about NSTC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/ or visit the NSTC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NavalServiceTraining/.

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