GREAT LAKES, Ill. - Seaman Recruit Makenna Brockman, a native of Frederick, Illinois, graduated as top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, Division 303, earning the Military Excellence Award on August 23.
Brockman said winning the MEA made her feel proud and confident.
“I felt that all of the hard work and everything I had done was paying off and it helped me to believe that I will become a great sailor,” Brockman said.
Brockman, 18, is a 2019 graduate of Rushville Industry High School in Rushville, Illinois. She was a member of the school’s dance, drill, track and field teams and National Honor Society.
Brockman said she joined the Navy as a way to improve herself and to travel.
“I knew the Navy would offer me the opportunity to see things and do things I have never done before, which I feel would make me a better-rounded individual," Brockman said.
Brockman credited her Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Hospital Corpsman Jaden Sandi, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Frian Tallo, and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Nathaniel Post for their leadership and guidance.
“My RDCs played a huge role in motivating me, especially Chief Sandi,” Brockman said. “She truly cares for everyone and would do anything to make sure someone succeeds. When she would see you were struggling, or were having a rough time, she would be the first to try to help you. She wants everyone to do their best and become their best and I wanted to be able to meet those standards.”
Brockman said the toughest part of boot camp was transitioning to military life.
“Just adjusting to the way things work here and the way you are supposed to do things,” Brockman said. “Basically, rebuilding yourself to be able to become a good sailor. Also, the idea of having to become one team, one unit with a bunch of different individuals you knew nothing about.”
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. More than 35,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.
Brockman is assigned the rate of hospital corpsman.
After graduation, Brockman 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.
“I knew the Navy would offer me the opportunity to see things and do things I have never done before, which I feel would make me a better-rounded individual," Brockman said.
Brockman credited her Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Hospital Corpsman Jaden Sandi, Logistics Specialist 1st Class Frian Tallo, and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Nathaniel Post for their leadership and guidance.
“My RDCs played a huge role in motivating me, especially Chief Sandi,” Brockman said. “She truly cares for everyone and would do anything to make sure someone succeeds. When she would see you were struggling, or were having a rough time, she would be the first to try to help you. She wants everyone to do their best and become their best and I wanted to be able to meet those standards.”
Brockman said the toughest part of boot camp was transitioning to military life.
“Just adjusting to the way things work here and the way you are supposed to do things,” Brockman said. “Basically, rebuilding yourself to be able to become a good sailor. Also, the idea of having to become one team, one unit with a bunch of different individuals you knew nothing about.”
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. More than 35,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.
Brockman is assigned the rate of hospital corpsman.
After graduation, Brockman 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.