Tom Cruise, renowned for his iconic shirtless volleyball scene in the first 'Top Gun' movie, has achieved a remarkable feat. The Navy has bestowed upon him its top civilian honor, highlighting the enduring and strong relationship between the Navy and Cruise. This recognition underscores the significance of his continued support for the Navy & Marine Corps team.

Cruise's Navy Connection: Inspiring Generations

Early Impact: 'Top Gun' and Navy Recruitment

Retired Navy Cmdr. Guy Snodgrass emphasizes the fitting nature of Cruise receiving the Navy's top civilian honor. In the year following the original 'Top Gun' movie, Navy recruitment, particularly in aviation, witnessed a significant surge of over 100,000 applicants. This shows how Cruise's influence extended beyond the silver screen and into the realm of military recruitment. His work inspired countless individuals to consider careers of service to their country. After the release of the most recent 'Top Gun' movie, many people reached out to Snodgrass seeking advice on becoming Navy aviators. It's clear that Cruise's films have played a crucial role in driving interest and inspiring the next generation of naval aviators.Moreover, a spokeswoman for Navy Recruiting Command praised the most recent 'Top Gun' movie for showcasing the "professionalism, teamwork, and cutting-edge capabilities" of the Navy. While the film generated excitement and interest, recruiting success in [fiscal year 2024] was the result of a comprehensive, sustained effort. Navy recruiters across the nation worked tirelessly to engage with communities, highlight the Navy's diverse career opportunities, and share the stories of real sailors.

Widespread Recognition and Contributions

The award citation praises Cruise for his "wide-ranging contributions" to the Navy Department from 1986 to 2023. His dedicated support through the film industry increased public awareness and appreciation for the highly trained Navy personnel and their sacrifices. As a result, recruitment for Navy pilots saw a significant increase in the late 80's and early 90's. Cruise's promotion of recognition and public support for the Navy and Marine Corps is also evident in several of his movie roles, such as 'Top Gun,' 'Born on the Fourth of July,' 'A Few Good Men,' 'Top Gun: Maverick,' and 'Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Parts One and Two.' Even though the villain in 'A Few Good Men' is a Marine colonel, veterans have debated the character's heroic status.The Navy has a long history of connections with celebrities like Gerard Butler and, briefly, Bill Cosby. However, Cruise undoubtedly stands out as the king. Since the first 'Top Gun' movie was released nearly four decades ago, the Navy has embraced Cruise. In 2023, the Navy allowed Cruise to film scenes aboard an aircraft carrier for the eighth 'Mission Impossible' movie. 'Top Gun: Maverick' was the second-highest-grossing film of 2022, making nearly $1.5 billion and becoming the most successful movie about the U.S. military. By comparison, 'American Sniper' grossed about $547 million and 'Saving Private Ryan' took in roughly $482 million. Cruise's most recent portrayal of Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick' brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer ones, effectively targeting a younger audience's interest in the Navy's skill sets and opportunities. This led to him being named the U.S. Navy's 35th Honorary Naval Aviator.