U.S. Navy Seaman Recruit Michael Sisolak, a Howell native and graduate of Recruit Training Command, Division 217, Great Lakes, Ill., earned the Military Excellence Award as top sailor on July 14.
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 Military Excellence Award is awarded to the recruit who best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork.
The award placed Sisolak at the pinnacle of today’s newest sailors. He was awarded a flag letter of commendation.
“When my Recruit Division Commander (RDC) told me I had been awarded this honor, I was extremely happy and very thankful,” Sisolak said. “Boot camp was an incredible experience.
“I would like to thank my family, especially my parents, for always having my back and teaching me to push myself. Additionally, I would like to thank my RDCs for motivating me every day and educating me on the Navy core values of honor, courage and commitment,” he said.
Sisolak joined the Navy to make his family and country proud. Experiences in life and his brother’s service in the Marines inspired him toward joining the service and being part of something more important than himself. He learned to have discipline through the sport of wrestling and wanted to continue to have that bearing for the rest of his life.
Prior to enlisting, Sisolak worked for his father, who owns All-Brite Maintenance.
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.
About 30,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from Recruit Training Command and begin their Navy careers.
After graduation, Sisolak will stay in Great Lakes, Ill., to attend Boatswain Mate Class “A” School, one of the oldest rates in the Navy, which normally lasts on average five weeks.
During school, he will learn activities related to marlinespike and deck seamanship, small boats, painting and preservation, upkeep of a ship’s external structure, rigging, deck equipment and life boats.
This article was written by Rick Burke of the Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs.
