GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Seaman Recruit Paul Hafley, Division 482, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award on October 29.
Hafley, from San Diego, California, said he joined the Navy to pursue career opportunities and serve his country.
“Joining the Navy was a great opportunity to honor my fellow Sailors, while also furthering my career goals and growing as a person,” he said. “My grandfather served in the U.S. Army, so serving a cause greater than my own was something I felt called to do. I am looking forward to honoring and supporting my fellow military personnel and performing music with the United States Navy Band (Washington).”
Hafley, 24, is a 2019 graduate of the University of Memphis, where he received a bachelor’s degree in music. He is a 2014 graduate of Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California. Hafley was principal chair in multiple youth symphonies, principal clarinet in California All-State, and won the San Diego Clarinet Society Young Artists Competition.
While in college, he won the International Clarinet Society Young Artist Competition and the International Clarinet Society Orchestral Repertoire Competition. He also won concerto competitions at University of Memphis and performed as a soloist with both the school’s Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.
Hafley, who is assigned the rate of Musician, auditioned for and is assigned to the United States Navy Band Washington.
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 placed him at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Hafley is awarded a flag letter of commendation.
Hafley said he is honored to receive the MEA.
“It represents the culmination of months of hard work from not just myself, but more importantly, by my RDCs, fellow shipmates, and RTC staff,” he said. “I am proud and thankful to receive this award and I hope to make this a foundation to build on in my future command and career. I also want to thank my parents and family for helping mold me into the person and Sailor I am today.”
Hafley credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Operations Specialist Michael Duenas, Aviation Boatswains Mate (Launching and Recovery Equipment) 1st Class Madnaely Martinez and Fire Controlman 1st Class Juan Valdez, for their leadership and guidance.
“My RDCs and shipmates in division 482 pushed me to grow as a person and as a Sailor,” Hafley said. “I will be forever thankful for that experience. ABE1 Martinez was relentless in her attention to detail and commitment to her craft, even in situations where that was not comfortable or easy. Those attributes were a major contributing factor to my achievement and the success of our division.”
Hafley said the toughest part of boot camp was adjusting to the daily routines.
“Eating and sleeping habits, social interactions, even seemingly minor elements like personal space or private showers are just a few elements that created quite a juxtaposition to outside life,” he said. “Just getting through that initial rollercoaster and feeling as comfortable as one can with the everyday life of RTC was the biggest hurdle for me.”
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 40,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.
For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/rtc/