Seaman Recruit Sherriemay Abadesco, Division 172, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command earning the Military Excellence Award on June 2.

Abadesco, of Long Beach, California, joined the Navy to follow in her father's and uncles' footsteps, who are all retired U.S. Navy.

"I wanted to join because I wanted my own story in the Navy and they told me how proud they are to have that experience," said Abadesco. "Though I changed my mind about joining right out of high school, not a month would pass by that I wasn't thinking if I should still join or where I could have been now if I had joined, so I just did it."

She was assigned the rate of Aviation Structural Mechanic.

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. Abadesco is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Abadesco said she nearly blacked out when she was told by her Recruit Division Commanders that she earned the #1 spot.

"I couldn't believe it was really happening; I just couldn't grasp it. I know I worked hard for it but I never thought I would earn this. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I'm speechless," said Abadesco.

One of the biggest obstacles she needed to overcome, prior to joining, was learning to be a better swimmer and overcome her fear of the water.

"I worked hard on teaching myself to swim prior to boot camp. I was scared about the prone float because, due to past trauma, I figured if I am face down, I am going to drown," said Abadesco. "But then all I was thinking was, 'I'm going to make it; I'm going to graduate on time and not be held back,' and I did it! It was an unbelievable feeling that I overcame my fear and passed."

One of her biggest supporters and the one who provided endless encouragement to push harder was her sister Maricel who also gave her a surprise gift prior to leaving for boot camp that turned out to be quote prophetic.

"Before I left she surprised me with a Sailor's bible that had some journal pages in it. She pointed it out and said, 'Look, you can put your awards in here!' I told her I didn't know about all that and I'd do my best, but I didn't think I'd get chosen because there's only a few awards earned in boot camp. I couldn't believe it! Now I have this award. Was that a sign?" said Abadesco. "My sister has been there for me every step of the way and encouraged me to join even when I doubted my ability to be a good swimmer. She has always told me to push harder and believe in myself because I only used to shoot for being average. Because of her encouragement, I pushed myself to do my best."

Abadesco believes that many recruits' lives have changed for the better while in training whether they realize it yet or not.

"If you really want something, you're going to give up everything and sacrifice a lot and I believe that's what a lot of people here are doing. They don't realize it until they look back to where they were compared to where they are at right now," said Abadesco.

After graduation, Abadesco will attend a nine-week technical school in Pensacola, Florida in basic aviation theory and skills class required for her specialized rating.

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/.