Airman Arlo Lloyd Earns Military Excellence Award
by U.S. Navy Marc Lindsay
Recruit Training Command
April 2, 2026

Airman Arlo Lloyd graduated as the top Sailor from Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, earning the Military Excellence Award (MEA) on March 19, 2026.

Lloyd, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia, said the recognition he received sets the tone for how he wants to approach his Navy career.

“This is honestly the perfect start,” Lloyd said. “This award gives me something to build on and a standard I know I have to follow as I move on to the next challenge.”

The Military Excellence Award is presented to the recruit who best demonstrates enthusiasm, devotion to duty, military bearing and teamwork throughout training. As part of his recognition, Lloyd received a flag letter of commendation.

For Lloyd, the decision to enlist was shaped by both personal ambition and the example set by his family.

“The idea of serving your country is something I’ve always been drawn to,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for the standards Sailors are held to, and I wanted to be part of that environment. It’s a level of discipline I can be proud of.”

He added that his grandfather’s service helped solidify that decision.

“My grandfather served as an officer in the Army, and hearing about his experiences had a big impact on me,” Lloyd said. “He’s someone I’ve looked up to my entire life, and I’ve always wanted to follow that example in my own way.”

Lloyd graduated from Marist High School, where he competed on the varsity lacrosse team and performed in the school’s wind ensemble. He later attended Colorado State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Before arriving at RTC, Lloyd balanced two part-time jobs, tutoring biochemistry at Colorado State and working in the restaurant industry.

Lloyd said those experiences helped shape the consistent approach he relied on during training.

“Whether it was school, sports, or work, I got used to showing up every day and putting in my best effort,” he said. “Boot camp is the same in that way ... it’s about what you do consistently, not just when it’s convenient.”

During training, Lloyd said much of his motivation came from the people around him, particularly his fellow recruits. He pointed to Seaman Gabriel Lugo, a recipient of the Military Officers Association of America Award, as someone who consistently pushed him to improve.

“He pushed me in every aspect of training, especially during PT and runs,” Lloyd said. “He’s someone who doesn’t quit, and being around that every day forced me to compete and get better.”

Lloyd said the leadership of his Recruit Division Commanders also played a key role in setting expectations and maintaining accountability. His RDCs were Senior Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZCS) Rawn Davis, Sonar Technician Surface 1st Class (STG1) Robert Schwerdfeger, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (HM1) Lesther Valencia and Operations Specialist 1st Class (OS1) Ricardo Broughton.

“They all brought different leadership styles, but it worked,” Lloyd said. “They motivated us in different ways, but it all came back to the same thing ... doing things the right way and not cutting corners.”

Like many recruits, Lloyd said uncertainty during training was one of the most difficult challenges he faced.

“There were times when I had doubts about what my path was going to look like,” he said. “That was frustrating, but it forced me to focus on what I could control and keep working regardless of the situation.”

He said working through that uncertainty helped reinforce the mindset needed to succeed.

“It’s about showing up every day and continuing to put in the work, even when things are tough,” Lloyd said. “You have to trust that if you stay consistent, things will work out the way they’re supposed to.”

Lloyd credited his parents with instilling the belief in himself that helped him navigate those moments.

“They’ve always told me that you’re going to fail and fall down, but what matters is getting back up and continuing forward,” he said. “Boot camp reinforced that ... how you respond to adversity is what determines whether you succeed.”

Following graduation, Lloyd will attend “A” school in Pensacola, Florida, for specialized training.

Training at RTC is approximately nine weeks long, 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.

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