Garrison granddaughter earns top sailor award

    Seaman Recruit Nicole O’Dell, Division 165, graduated as the top sailor from Recruit Training Command, earning the Military Excellence Award on April 5.
    O’Dell is the daughter of Kevin and Deb Garrison of Elkhorn and granddaughter of Dorene Garrison of Imperial. Her great grandmother is Eileen Martell, also of Imperial. Her dad, Kevin, was a 1986 graduate of Chase County High School.
    O’Dell was the overall #1 recruit for the entire eight-week boot camp that included 507 recruits.
    The Navy Club of the United States Military Excellence Award (MEA) is the top award presented to the No. 1 recruit in their graduating training group. In a year’s time, the Navy has 48 training groups so just 48 recruits out of an estimated 35,000 earn this award.
    The MEA goes to the recruit that best exemplifies the qualities of enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork.
    Boot camp includes training in physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline.
    She received a Flag Letter of Commendation.
    O’Dell said she joined the Navy out of a sense of duty.
    “I made the decision to join the Navy because I wanted to earn the privilege of giving back to this country that has given so much to me,” O’Dell said.
    “I am seeking to live a life truly in service of others and the Lord.”
    O’Dell, 24, is a 2012 graduate of Elkhorn High School. She graduated from Wayne State College in 2015 with a major in psychology and a minor in criminal justice.
    Prior to joining the Navy, O’Dell worked as an oil field manager for a frac sand operations company in Texas.
    O’Dell said support from others was critical to her being named the MEA winner.
    “I came to boot camp believing that honor is not given, it is earned,” she said.
    “Being selected to receive the MEA is a great honor, but I would not be here without the steadfast support of my family or loyalty of my fellow shipmates,” she said.
    Faith and family also play an important role in O’Dell’s life, she said.
    “My greatest source of strength comes from God and my parents, who have been unwavering in their love and support for me throughout all the adventures in my life thus far,” she said.
    O’Dell said she learned valuable lessons during her boot camp experience.
    “The most challenging aspect was making the transition out of being an individual,” she said.
    “The Navy has taught me what true teamwork and loyalty means—one team, one fight — and that is a realization well worth the struggle it was to accomplish,” she said.  
    After graduation, O’Dell will attend Gunner’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois.