Tomball Native Bishop Miller Earns Military Excellence Award at Recruit Training Command

GREAT LAKES (NNS) — Seaman Recruit Bishop Miller, Division 366, graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on October 4.

Miller, from Tomball, Texas, joined the Navy for the opportunities it presents.

“I joined the Navy to better my life because the Navy offers me an education and a steady job that I can use to better my life and my future family’s lives,” he said.

Miller, 18, is a 2019 graduate of Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas.

He is assigned the rate of Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear).

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 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. Miller is awarded a flag letter of commendation.

Miller said winning the MEA is a testament to the high level of training he received.

“Winning the MEA means that I was motivated and driven throughout all of basic training,” he said. “It means I always took initiative to ensure everything I was doing was the correct thing. To me, winning the MEA means I sustained superior performance throughout all phases of training.”

Miller credited his Recruit Division Commanders, Chief Aviation Electrician’s Mate Ryan Callicoat, Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) 1st Class Miguel Rodriguez, and Engineman 1st Class Brandon Hendry for their leadership and guidance. He also acknowledged the motivation provided by his shipmates and his girlfriend, Kilie Boyte.

“My shipmates were definitely second when it came to helping push me through,” Miller said. “They were there 24 hours a day and seven days a week for me. The main motivator I had was my girlfriend, who always wrote me, keeping my hopes up. She was a reason for me to ensure I stayed on course.”

Miller said the toughest part of his boot camp experience was becoming and remaining mentally and emotionally tough.

“By far the toughest part of boot camp is keeping your mental edge through the first couple of weeks,” he said. “The first weeks just beat you down emotionally, so maintaining a drive is difficult. I just lived in the moment, trying to take part in any activity that we are doing to take my mind off the time. I also reflected on all the reasons as to why I joined the Navy, as well as looking in to what my future will look like once I finish boot camp.”

After graduation, Miller will attend Electrician’s Mate Nuclear Field “A” School in Charleston, South Carolina. Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) operate and maintain Naval Nuclear propulsion plants and associated equipment. They supervise and administer Naval Nuclear propulsion plant operations, and thoroughly understand reactor, electrical, and mechanical theory involved in the operation of the nuclear reactor, steam plant, propulsion plant, and auxiliary equipment.

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 35,000 recruits are trained annually at RTC and begin their Navy careers.