Seaman Recruit Martin Spinella, Division 221, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on May 25.

Spinella, 31, said he joined the Navy to help others and further his education.

"I saw joining the Navy as a way to serve others in a way that my family and I could be proud of," Spinella said. "It was also an opportunity for me to pursue a degree in the computer field."

Spinella, from Watertown, Connecticut, graduated from Fairfield University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He worked at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, Connecticut, as a field technician working with other field and lab technicians who report West Nile outbreaks to media outlets.

He was assigned the rate of Information Systems 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. Spinella is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Spinella said winning the MEA is an honor that will add to his confidence and dedication to the Navy.

"I will use it as a way to remind myself that hard work and devotion can lead to great things," he said.

Spinella credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Engineman 1st Class Roger Rossel, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Anthony Rivera and Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Trishelle Jones for their leadership and guidance.

He also thanked his father, Martin J. Spinella, Sr., and shipmates for their support.

"My father supported me through my decision to join the Navy and continually wrote letters to inspire me,"
Spinella said. "I thank my shipmates in Division 221 because everything we do is a team effort and I will always remember them."

Spinella said learning to work as a team was the toughest part of his boot camp experience.

"The most challenging part of boot camp was dealing with the many different personality types in my division and discovering how to bring everyone together despite differences in the way we think and accomplish tasks," he said.

After graduation, Spinella will attend the Information Systems Technician "A" School at Pensacola, Florida. Information System Technicians perform core and specialty functions of communications operations, message processing, network administration and security.

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/.