GREAT LAKES (NNS) – Seaman Keontae Owens graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC), earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) Jan. 15, 2026.
Owens, 28, of Orrville, Ohio, said receiving the Navy’s highest recruit honor marks one of the proudest moments of his life.
“Winning the MEA means a lot to me,” Owens said. “I’ve never earned anything this big before. From P-days (processing) to graduation, there was a ton of sweat and effort put in — not just from me, but from my entire division. I may be the one receiving the award, but it’s a reminder of the resilience we showed together. I hope it motivates all of us to keep the standard high, here and in the fleet.”…