Seaman Recruit Brendan Moore, Division 310, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command earning the Military Excellence Award on Sept. 29.

Moore, of Smyrna, Tennessee, said he joined the Navy to give back to the country that has blessed him for more than 18 years with all that he could need as well as to gain experience in nuclear engineering.

Moore hopes that his naval experience will give him the necessary skills and experience to aid him in reaching his ultimate goal. He hopes to contribute to furthering space exploration and helping to develop an artificial atmosphere on Mars, with the desire of one day visiting the planet.

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. Moore 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," said Moore. "That did not last long, however, when my RDCs discovered my brother, Shawn, and I were placed in the same division. Immediately, the attention was on us and we were expected to be leaders."

Moore credited his RDCs, Ship's Serviceman Petty Officer 1st Class Oliver Wureh, Engineman Petty Officer 1st Class Dillon Gosselin and Personnel Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Ashley Johnson, with quickly adapting and succeeding in boot camp.

"I had no knowledge of the military before coming to RTC, so I owe this accomplishment to my RDCs for turning me into the Sailor that I have become," said Moore. "I also have to credit my brother for pushing me to always be better and to not settle for the minimum required."

He credited his RDCs for the encouraging words they would give to the division to help boost their morale.

"Some of my most favorite moments in boot camp were the small motivational speeches the RDCs would give after the division would feel discouraged after failing to accomplish a task. The speeches would be short but brought up the motivation level for our division."

After graduation, Moore will attend Nuclear Machinist's Mate "A" School. He will then go to Nuclear Propulsion School and finally Prototype School. Machinist's Mate duties in nuclear propulsion plants include operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems. Moore has volunteered 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.



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