Courtesy Photo | Seaman Apprentice Vance Randolph graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training...... read more read more
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GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Seaman Apprentice Vance Randolph graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) May 16, 2024.
Randolph, from Cassatt, South Carolina, said he enlisted for a variety of reasons, including his family’s heritage.
“I joined the Navy to make my family proud,” said Randolph. “My great-grandfather served in the Marine Corps, my grandfather served in the Army, and two of my cousins served in the Navy. A big part of my decision was that I wanted to continue that tradition. It’s also been a lifelong goal of mine to go into special operations, and it’s well known that the special operations programs in the Navy are amongst the hardest and most challenging to complete. I want to become part of that small percentage of people who were able to finish. It would be a huge accomplishment for me.”
Randolph, 22, graduated from North Central High School where he was a member of the football and track and field teams. Additionally, Randolph has raced motocross since the age of 5, competed as an amateur boxer, and is a certified personal trainer.
The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award presented to the recruit that best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing, and teamwork. The award places him at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Randolph is awarded a flag letter of commendation as part of his recognition.
Randolph said the award is the best possible first step to start his naval career.
“When I was told that I was selected as the top recruit in the training group, and that I’d won the award, I was surprised,” he said. “It was confirmation that I’d made the right choice and that I was taking the right steps to succeed in my military career. The award means a lot to me personally because it shows the commitment and hard work that I’ve put into doing my best. A big part of boot camp is coming together as one team and developing as a person. This award is proof that I’ve accomplished those things.”
Randolph’s RDCs (Recruit Division Commanders) are Chief Mineman (MNC) Joshua Royer, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AT1) Melissa Shoulberg, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (ABH2) Angel Rojas and they guided him through the 10-week process.
“My first RDC, MNC Royer, had a huge influence on me,” said Randolph. “He is one of the most disciplined Sailors I’ve met. He set the example for everyone and showed us how to hold ourselves to the highest standards. He’s the definition of hard work paying off, and all the awards and achievements he has earned in such a short amount of time are an indicator of that.”
Additionally, Randolph said his family and others in his division helped push him to success.
“Most of my motivation came from my close friends and my family,” said Randolph. “When I told my family I was going into the Navy and what my goals were, they were very supportive. They had so much faith in me and knew that I would do great things. Their support stuck with me and kept me focused during my training. I made it my goal to become one percent better each day and move forward when things weren’t going well. My family and friends were a big part of the success that I’ve had here.”
Randolph said his biggest challenge was learning how to set aside personal ambitions.
“The tough thing for me was learning to work with others more effectively,” Randolph said. “When I first arrived, all I was worried about was making sure all my individual checkpoints were met. After a few ITE sessions for other people’s mistakes, I realized that without teamwork none of us were going to succeed in boot camp. I shifted my focus and tried to concentrate on helping those around me stay motivated to do their absolute best. Though it wasn’t easy, in the end we were able to come together as a team, and as a result we were recognized as a hall of fame division.”
After graduation, Randolph will attend Fire Control Technician (FT) “A” School in Groton, Connecticut, where he will undergo training for basic submarine systems, which includes electronics, mathematics, and computer theory.
Training at RTC is approximately 10 weeks, and all enlistees in the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. More than 40,000 Recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2024 11:05 |
| Story ID: | 471545 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, IL, US |
| Hometown: | CASSATT, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 623 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Randolph Earns Military Excellence Award at Recruit Training Command, by Marc Lindsay, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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