GREAT LAKES, Ill. - Seaman Recruit Cyrena Ayon, a native Raton, New Mexico, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, Division 233, earning the Military Excellence Award on Sept. 1.
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The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) 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 places her at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Ayon is awarded a flag letter of commendation.
“Winning the MEA was a huge accomplishment and honor,” said Ayon. “I didn’t have any intention of going above and beyond in anything at RTC. However, I came to realize that hard work and dedication can drive you to do things you couldn’t even think to accomplish. These accomplishments will help me to keep doing my best in all I do for the rest of my Navy career.”
Ayon, a graduate of Raton High School, was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in volleyball and track. Ayon is also a certified lifeguard.
Ayon, 18, joined the Navy to honor her family and other sailors.
“I joined the Navy for a sense of adventure, and coming from a military family, I wanted to serve my country,” said Ayon. “Now, as a United States Sailor, being able to continue the legacy that so many sailors who fought and died for those who cannot fight themselves, is such a big honor.”
Ayon credited her Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs), Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Timothy Willhite, Machinist Mate (Auxiliary) 1st Class Steven Lowery, and Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Elijah Stansberry, for their leadership and guidance.
“The people who motivated me the most in boot camp were my RDCs,” said Ayon. “When I wanted to quit or not use my full potential, they encouraged me to keep going. When things got difficult and I struggled, they encouraged me to ‘take the hit and keep going.’”
Ayon said the toughest part of boot camp was building self-confidence and trust.
“I had to convince myself that I could do what I needed to do in a stressful or difficult situation,” said Ayon. “I focused on not letting my thoughts interfere with my confidence in what was needed to be done. I soon found that by having faith in yourself and your shipmates, you can put your mind to anything.”
Boot camp is approximately 10 weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes five warfighting competencies of firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms handling and marksmanship along with physical fitness and lessons in Navy heritage and core values, Warrior Toughness, Life Skills, teamwork and discipline. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
Ayon is assigned the rate of hospital corpsman.
After graduation, Ayon will attend Hospital Corpsman “A” School in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where she will learn basic principles and techniques of patient care and first-aid procedures.
For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc
Ayon, 18, joined the Navy to honor her family and other sailors.
“I joined the Navy for a sense of adventure, and coming from a military family, I wanted to serve my country,” said Ayon. “Now, as a United States Sailor, being able to continue the legacy that so many sailors who fought and died for those who cannot fight themselves, is such a big honor.”
Ayon credited her Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs), Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Timothy Willhite, Machinist Mate (Auxiliary) 1st Class Steven Lowery, and Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Elijah Stansberry, for their leadership and guidance.
“The people who motivated me the most in boot camp were my RDCs,” said Ayon. “When I wanted to quit or not use my full potential, they encouraged me to keep going. When things got difficult and I struggled, they encouraged me to ‘take the hit and keep going.’”
Ayon said the toughest part of boot camp was building self-confidence and trust.
“I had to convince myself that I could do what I needed to do in a stressful or difficult situation,” said Ayon. “I focused on not letting my thoughts interfere with my confidence in what was needed to be done. I soon found that by having faith in yourself and your shipmates, you can put your mind to anything.”
Boot camp is approximately 10 weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes five warfighting competencies of firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms handling and marksmanship along with physical fitness and lessons in Navy heritage and core values, Warrior Toughness, Life Skills, teamwork and discipline. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
Ayon is assigned the rate of hospital corpsman.
After graduation, Ayon will attend Hospital Corpsman “A” School in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where she will learn basic principles and techniques of patient care and first-aid procedures.
For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc