By Alan Nunn, Recruit Training Command Public Affairs
GREAT LAKES (NNS) — Seaman Recruit Rafael Ribeiro Goncalves, Division 053, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on January 24.
Ribeiro Goncalves, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said he joined the Navy to best utilize his talents in service to others.
“I realized, after many years as an athlete and a sports industry professional, that the only thing that would ever give me true satisfaction would be putting my work experience, education and training to the service of something bigger than myself,” he said. “There’s no better place to do that than the U.S. Navy, defending freedom and democracy around the world.”
Ribeiro Goncalves, 39, is a 1997 graduate of Centro Educacional da Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Janeiro in 2003.
Ribeiro Goncalves was a member of the Brazilian national swim team for 10 years and a two-time Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Cup medalist in the 400-meter individual medley. FINA is the sport’s international governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee. He was also a member of the bid committee that brought the Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Ribeiro Goncalves, 39, is a 1997 graduate of Centro Educacional da Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Janeiro in 2003.
Ribeiro Goncalves was a member of the Brazilian national swim team for 10 years and a two-time Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Cup medalist in the 400-meter individual medley. FINA is the sport’s international governing body recognized by the International Olympic Committee. He was also a member of the bid committee that brought the Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Most recently, he competed as a professional triathlete and was employed as an ocean lifeguard for the Los Angeles County Fire Department prior to enlisting. Ribeiro Goncalves is assigned the rate of Damage Controlman.
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. Ribeiro Goncalves is awarded a flag letter of commendation.
Winning the Military Excellence Award is recognition of his contributions to a winning team according to Ribeiro Goncalves.
“To me, it is proof that nothing is more important to the U.S. Navy than what you can bring to the team,” he said. “I feel absolutely honored to be part of this team and to find out so early into my naval career that high performance and dedication are key attributes to succeed as a United States Sailor.”
Ribeiro Goncalves credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Adam Gonzales, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Cody Kasian, and Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Steffi Gutierrezlara for the leadership and guidance.
“Chief Gonzalez and Petty Officers Kasian and Gutierrezlara showed absolute excellence and pushed me to excel in every minute of every day during boot camp,” Ribeiro Goncalves said. “They made up the perfect team with Chief Gonzalez’s perfect embodiment of true military posture, Petty Officer Kasian’s infinite energy and knowledge and Petty Officer Gutierrezlara’s human touch and attention to detail.”
Ribeiro Goncalves is joined as an honor graduate at the January 24 Pass-In-Review graduate ceremony by his wife, SR Silvia Ribeiro, Division 044, who received the United Services Organization Shipmate Award.
“She is my everyday inspiration to be a better man and a better husband,” Ribeiro Goncalves said. “She has pushed me every day since we met to chase my dreams while setting a standard of respect, love and generosity. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for her.”
Ribeiro Goncalves said the biggest challenge he faced at boot camp was the transformation from civilian to Sailor.
“The toughest part of boot camp was getting rid of 39 years of civilian manners and habits,” he said. “I used my competitive nature to push myself always above and beyond the set standards and, with the help of my RDCs and shipmates, I think it’s safe to say that old dogs actually can learn new tricks.”
After graduation, Ribeiro Goncalves will attend Damage Controlman Class “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. Damage Controlman are responsible for damage control, ship stability, firefighting, fire prevention, and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) warfare defense. They also instruct personnel in the methods of damage control and CBR defense, and repair damage control equipment and systems.
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.
For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc/