Seaman Recruit Elizabeth Kronebusch, Division 263, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC) earning the Military Excellence Award, August 25.

Kronebusch, from Southport, North Carolina, joined the Navy to have an impactful and meaningful purpose in her life. Through the Navy, she believes her actions will have an impact on her family and other U.S. citizens. In addition, the Navy offers many education opportunities alongside a steady and secure lifestyle. Prior to joining the Navy in June, Kronebusch, graduated from South Brunswick High School.

The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) is the top award presented to the number one recruit of their graduating training group. The MEA is awarded to the recruit who best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork. The award placed her at the pinnacle of today's newest Sailors. Kronebusch was awarded a flag letter of commendation.

"Finding out that I earned the MEA was an incredible and much unexpected shock. I came to boot camp with the expectation to graduate similar to any other recruit," said Kronebusch. "I had no idea that in just a few weeks I would be named my training group's top recruit. It is an amazing and inspiring feeling to know that I can achieve such a great accomplishment with the mentorship and support from my outstanding recruit division commanders and divisional shipmates"

After graduation, Kronebusch will attend Nuclear Machinist's Mate "A" School. She will then go to Nuclear Propulsion School and finally Prototype School. Machinist Mate duties in nuclear propulsion plants include operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems. Kronebusch 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 30,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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

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