MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 1st Class Luis Jimenez, whose parents reside in Bells, Tennessee, is serving in the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella / U.S. Naval Hospital (NH) Sigonella, Italy.
Jimenez is a 2005 graduate of Colton High School in Colton, California, and a 2020 Purdue University graduate.
Jimenez joined the Navy 16 years ago.
"I have always wanted to join the military but life had always kept me busy," Jimenez said. "Struggling with school and working I quit school and then got laid off so I saw my chance and took it thinking I'd only do one contract but ended up loving what I do and made it a career."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Colton.
"The most important lesson I guess I learned from my hometown is how my work ethic helped me to be as caring if not more caring for the sick and injured let me be passionate in what I do for others," Jimenez said.
Today, Jimenez serves as a hospital corpsman with USNMRTC Sigonella. Jimenez was recently selected as the leading petty officer for the Directorate for Nursing Services.
"The best part of my job is serving alongside the Marines and the brotherhood and friendships made along the way some come and go and others are like family," Jimenez said.
USNMRTC Sigonella / NH Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, USNMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.
“HM1 Jimenez, our Department LPO, leads 11 Sailors and LNs in executing the Patient Administration (PAD) mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Dara White, department head of patient administration. "He is always the calm, consummate professional who does without being asked. His breadth of experience and subject matter expertise are regularly sought out within the Command. HM1 is always working on things behind the scenes to ensure the needs of his people, patients, and mission are met. He will soon be leading at the Directorate level but has left an indelible mark in PAD!”
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Jimenez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"The proudest moments of my life have been each promotion received as I put 110% of effort into everything I do," Jimenez said. "I also like to see my sailors achieve their goals and then some. Additionally, I received my Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist pin in 2014, served two tours with the Marine 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and 2nd Battalion 5th Marines, and my best duty location was in Iwakuni, Japan."
Jimenez can take pride in serving America through military service.
"Serving in the Navy makes me proud to be the low percentage of people that join the military service," Jimenez added. "I hope that one day my kids see all the sacrifices I've made and that I did everything for them and their future."