Seaman Recruit Meghin Warren, Division 150, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command earning the Military Excellence Award on May 12.

Warren, of Lynn, Indiana, joined the Navy to serve her country, to make her family proud, and to follow her dreams of traveling the world. She was assigned the rate of Quartermaster after switching from her original choice of Information Systems Technician.

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 her at the pinnacle of today's newest Sailors. Warren is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

"When I first got to RTC, my original plan was to go unnoticed, and get by without getting into too much trouble along the way," said Warren, "I never would have guessed that they would have chosen me to be the Recruit Chief Petty Officer. I believe this position, with the training and dedication of my RDC's, led to earning this honorable award."

Warren recognizes those she credits for helping her to achieve this recognition.

"I want to thank my family and friends for supporting my decision of joining the United States Navy and to my RDC's, for molding me into the individual I've become today."

Warren mentioned one of the most memorable moments in boot camp was finding out that she was the top recruit in her training group. As she was standing in the gas chamber, her RDC, who was standing in front of the chamber's window, held up an index finger, indicating Warren was just named the No. 1 recruit.

"I thought she was telling me that I would have to stand in the gas chamber unmasked for a full minute! Little did I know she was trying to tell me that I was the No. 1 recruit in my training group"

After graduation, Warren will attend a nine-week navigation and oceanography course located in Great Lakes. During her schooling, she will be conducting weather observations, determining ships position, and computing tide and tidal current data.

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

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