Seaman Recruit Zachary Gaul, Division 241, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA), June 8.

Gaul, 23, said he was inspired to join the Navy by the more than 45 astronauts he worked with and got to know while employed at NASA.

"They all had 'The Right Stuff,'" Gaul said. "An idea of comradery, discipline and leadership I feel is only found in the armed forces, especially through the Navy and the core values instilled in each and every Sailor."

Gaul, from Geneva, Ohio, was pursuing a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and worked for 18 months at the Kennedy Space Center in operations and communications, prior to joining the Navy. He said he witnessed 32 rocket launches during his time at NASA.

Gaul was assigned the rate of machinist's mate (nuclear).

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award presented to the number one 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 Gaul at the pinnacle of today's newest Sailors. He was also awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Gaul said he was motivated to achieve high standards for himself and shipmates in all aspects of boot camp.

"I never aimed to only excel at academics, fitness or seamanship," Gaul said. "I wanted to be the best at all of them; how a Sailor should be. However, more importantly, I wanted to bring my shipmates as far up to the top as I could, using the skills I was blessed with to inspire and push others to meet their true potential."

Gaul credited his recruit division commanders (RDC), Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Michael Watts, Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class John Wright and Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Porsha Chancellor, for their leadership and guidance.

"My RDCs pushed me each and every day," Gaul said. "They shaped me into the Sailor they knew I could be from a basic recruit and I owe a lot of my success to them. I always gave them 110 percent, not because I was afraid of discipline, but because I wanted to make them proud and never wanted to disappoint them. I want to thank Chief Watts for being such a role model and a respected leader. From him, I learned to lead with purpose."

Gaul said the toughest part of his boot camp experience was becoming his division's recruit chief petty officer during the second week.

"I threw myself into the top leadership position and definitely had to learn the hard way as I went," Gaul said.

After graduation, Gaul will attend Nuclear Machinist's Mate "A" School. He will then go to Nuclear Propulsion School and finally Prototype School. Machinist's mate (nuclear) duties in nuclear propulsion plants include operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems. Gaul will be able to choose between serving on an aircraft carrier and volunteering for submarine duty.

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 http://www.navy.mil/.
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