Seaman Recruit Zachariah B. Tallman, Division 268, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA), June 29.

Tallman said he became interested at an early age in serving a good purpose.

"Service is something that is very important to me, as my parents who are missionaries have taught me," Tallman said. "I believe the U.S. Navy is one of the greatest forces for good and I intend to do everything I can to keep it the best."

Tallman, from Waukesha, Wisconsin, graduated from Numonohi Christian Academy in Goroka, Papua New Guinea.

Tallman was assigned the rate of electrician'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 him at the pinnacle of today's newest Sailors. Tallman was also awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Tallman said winning the MEA was important to him because it encourages him to continue working hard to be a leader.

"I joined with a winning mentality; a mentality to come in to RTC and do my best to make my shipmates and I winners," Tallman said. "Even more important to me than the MEA is that my division does well and becomes first in the training group."

Tallman credited his recruit division commanders (RDC), Chief Engineman Steven Daniely, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Dennis Oerly and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Marquavais Curney, for their leadership and guidance.

"I have plenty of people motivating me through their thoughts and prayers back home, but to be honest, I have seen what I want to become in each of my RDCs," Tallman said. "They are highly motivated and hard-working. In particular, ABH1 Curney makes me want to be the best Sailor I can be. I hope to become as motivated as he is."

Tallman said his boot camp wasn't personally difficult, but he had to learn from setbacks [as] a team member.

"I do not enjoy losing in any situation, and it is a tough reality for me to accept," he said. "What I've learned is to move on and set my sights on the next objective, and see what I can do to help us to win."

After graduation, Tallman will attend Electrician's Mate Nuclear Field "A" School in Charleston, South Carolina. Electrician's mates (nuclear) operate and maintain naval nuclear propulsion plants and associated equipment. They supervise and administer naval nuclear propulsion plant operations, and thoroughly understand reactor, electrical and mechanical theory involved in the operation of the nuclear reactor, steam plant, propulsion plant, and auxiliary equipment.

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/local/rtc/.

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