SR Nicholas Zent, Division 299, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command earning the Military Excellence Award on Sept. 22.

Zent, of Great Falls, Montana, joined the Navy to make his family proud and to challenge himself to strive for the highest quality of integrity, self-improvement and self-excellence. He was assigned the rate of Equipment Operator.

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. Zent is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

"My initial plan coming into RTC was to lay low and graduate quickly by working independently and efficiently in silence," Zent said. "As the weeks went on, I was constantly reminded that being in the Navy requires superb teamwork skills, and without them, we weren't going to get far in the Navy and in life. I started working with my fellow recruits and helping them out when they needed it. Next thing I knew, I was chosen to be a section leader for my division, which helped me build up my leadership and cooperation skills."

Zent said he was inspired by the instructions of his Recruit Division Commanders.

"Some of my most favorite moments in boot camp were the RDCs always motivating us to do the best we can," Zent said. "The speeches would be short but brought up the motivation level for our division."

Zent will be attending Equipment Operator "A" school, which lasts approximately 10 weeks and is located at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Ironically, his father, Daniel Zent, was assigned to Fort Leonard Hood for his Air Force tech school training at the beginning of a 27-year military career.

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 https://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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