Courtesy Photo | Seaman Apprentice Karaleigh Kanthack graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training...... read more read more
Subscribe
GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Seaman Apprentice Karaleigh Kanthack graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) Aug. 14, 2025.
Kanthack, from Kingman, Arizona, said she joined the Navy to challenge herself and create a meaningful future.
“I didn’t have an exact plan after high school, but I knew I wanted to make a difference,” Kanthack said. “My dad always told me, ‘comfort kills dreams,’ and that stuck with me. Joining the Navy gives me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, grow as a person, and become the best Sailor I can be. I trust that God has a plan for me, and this is just the beginning.”
Kanthack, 18, graduated from Kingman Academy of Learning High School, where she served as vice president of the National Honor Society, competed in cross-country and track and field, and managed the football team. She qualified for divisional state in cross-country all four years of high school. She also took dual enrollment classes through Mohave Community College.
The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award is the top award presented to the recruit who best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing, and teamwork. The award places her at the pinnacle of today’s newest Sailors. Kanthack is awarded a flag letter of commendation as part of her recognition.
Kanthack said being awarded the MEA came as a surprise.
“I wasn’t expecting to make the top five percent, let alone be named MEA,” she said. “At first, I was a little skeptical, but after reflecting, I realized I earned it. I took every challenge in boot camp as an opportunity to improve, and I gave 100 percent every day. I’ve grown more in these nine weeks than I thought possible.”
Her Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs) are Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC) Jeffrey McGee, Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AZ1) Alliyah Aiken, and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (HM1) Yordan Yordanov.
“What stood out to me about my RDCs is how invested they were in our success,” Kanthack said. “They held us to a high standard every single day, but they also showed us how to rise to meet it. Petty Officer Aiken, in particular, pushed me harder than I thought I could handle at first. Over time, I realized she believed in me and saw my potential before I did. That kind of leadership is something I hope to develop in my own career.”
Kanthack also credits her parents as her biggest supporters and a driving force throughout training.
“My parents have always been my anchor,” Kanthack said. “They’ve spent my whole life putting my needs before their own, and I wanted to make their sacrifices mean something. They sent me letters almost every day, picked up the phone on the first ring when I called, and somehow always knew exactly what to say to lift me up. Even when I was tired or frustrated, just hearing from them reminded me why I was here.”
Kanthack said the toughest challenge in boot camp was learning how to adapt to different communication styles.
“Before boot camp, I wasn’t used to direct communication,” she said. “I had to learn not to take it personally and to focus on getting the job done. Once I understood that, I was able to work better with my shipmates and contribute more effectively. I think that lesson will help me no matter where the Navy sends me.”
Looking back, Kanthack sees the MEA not just as a personal achievement, but as a reflection of her division’s teamwork and the values instilled in her by her family and leaders.
“This award isn’t just mine—it’s a product of every mentor, shipmate, and family member who supported me,” she said. “It represents the hard work, discipline, and resilience I’ve learned here. I’m excited to carry that forward into my Navy career.”
After graduation, Kanthack will continue her training at Intelligence Specialist “A” School in Dam Neck, Virginia, where she’ll learn the basics of operational intelligence, intelligence administration, and computer software operation.
Training at RTC is approximately nine 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: | 08.13.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2025 13:31 |
| Story ID: | 545514 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | KINGMAN, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kanthack 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.
No keywords found.
