Seaman Recruit Rilee Rhees, Division 222, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command earning the Military Excellence Award on July 21.

Rhees, of Ogden, Utah, joined the Navy for the honor, pride, adventure, and love for her country.

"Life is like a chapter book. Everybody has a story," said Rhees. "I'm trying to make the most noble and exploratory narrative possible to move and inspire others. I decided to accomplish this by joining the Navy and having it be the next chapter in my story/life."

She selected the rate of Hospital Corpsman because of her experience in emergency medicine and the desire to go with the Marines to experience the adrenaline in the field.

Prior to enlisting, she graduated from Utah Valley University earning a Bachelor's degree in fire science. Additionally, she worked as a wildland firefighter as a Helitack (helicopter-delivered fire resources) crewmember conducting initial attack suppression of wildfires throughout the country.

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. Rhees is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

During her time at boot camp, Rhees served as the recruit chief petty officer for her division.

"I did not volunteer to become the RCPO, but I am thankful for the selection of being the leader for my division. It gave me great pride from the first day to represent my division and Recruit Division Commanders to the best of my ability," said Rhees. "I know my success as an RCPO was not solely because of my own abilities, but in the camaraderie, motivation, and dedication of the rest of my division that ventured through this eight-week journey with me. My selection as the MEA would have not been accomplishable without the mentorship, training, and commitment my RDCs invested in my daily training."

Rhees mentioned one of the most memorable moments in boot camp was listening to the song "I'm proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood and having her Navy ball cap placed on her head by her RDCs signifying the successful completion of boot camp.

After graduation, Rhees will attend a 19-week Hospital Corpsman "A" School in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where she will learn basic principles and techniques of patient care and first-aid procedures.

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