MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. Cmdr. Jolene Mancini, whose mother and stepfather, Pat and Ron Brown, live in Hermitage, New York, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella / U.S. Naval Hospital (NH) Sigonella, Italy.
Mancini is a 1989 graduate of Lafayette High School in Buffalo, New York, who graduated from Gallaudet University in 2009 with a Doctorate in Audiology.
Mancini joined the Navy 16 years ago. Additionally, Mancini has six years of service in the Air National Guard.
"I initially enlisted in the Air Force to help pay for college," Mancini said. "I didn't realize how rewarding a career in the military would be, and I have taken advantage of the many opportunities that have come my way throughout the years, and ultimately, that led me to serve as an officer in the Navy as an occupational audiologist."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buffalo.
"I grew up in a working-class neighborhood on the west side of Buffalo," Mancini said. "I learned from my parent's example the importance of being self-motivated and having a strong work ethic. I also learned to actively seek out or create opportunities for learning."
Today, Mancini serves as an occupational audiologist with USNMRTC Sigonella.
"My favorite part of being an occupational audiologist is knowing that my work prevents avoidable injury and leads to improved quality of life for a highly noise-exposed population," Mancini 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.
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.
Mancini has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest accomplishment was working with the new recruits at basic training in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD)," Mancini said. "My team trained hundreds of recruits each week on noise-induced hearing loss prevention and sized and fit them with appropriate hearing protection. Our intervention was crucially timed to teach them how to protect themselves throughout their very noise-exposed career."
"Additionally, I was named the Navy's Medical Service Corps Sub-specialty Audiologist of the Year for 2024," Mancini said. "This recognition is made to highlight the significant clinical, administrative and research contributions made toward enhancing war-fighter performance, operational capabilities, readiness and Navy Medicine. This recognition means a great deal to me, as I take immense pride in my job and believe in the importance of our public health mission. Hearing loss prevention and hearing readiness are essential to the health promotion and resiliency of our Navy and Marine Corps community."
Mancini can take pride in serving America through military service.
"Serving in our country's Navy and armed forces has been extremely rewarding and has afforded unique opportunities, experiences and locations to myself and my family," Mancini added.
Mancini is a 1989 graduate of Lafayette High School in Buffalo, New York, who graduated from Gallaudet University in 2009 with a Doctorate in Audiology.
Mancini joined the Navy 16 years ago. Additionally, Mancini has six years of service in the Air National Guard.
"I initially enlisted in the Air Force to help pay for college," Mancini said. "I didn't realize how rewarding a career in the military would be, and I have taken advantage of the many opportunities that have come my way throughout the years, and ultimately, that led me to serve as an officer in the Navy as an occupational audiologist."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Buffalo.
"I grew up in a working-class neighborhood on the west side of Buffalo," Mancini said. "I learned from my parent's example the importance of being self-motivated and having a strong work ethic. I also learned to actively seek out or create opportunities for learning."
Today, Mancini serves as an occupational audiologist with USNMRTC Sigonella.
"My favorite part of being an occupational audiologist is knowing that my work prevents avoidable injury and leads to improved quality of life for a highly noise-exposed population," Mancini 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.
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.
Mancini has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest accomplishment was working with the new recruits at basic training in San Diego at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD)," Mancini said. "My team trained hundreds of recruits each week on noise-induced hearing loss prevention and sized and fit them with appropriate hearing protection. Our intervention was crucially timed to teach them how to protect themselves throughout their very noise-exposed career."
"Additionally, I was named the Navy's Medical Service Corps Sub-specialty Audiologist of the Year for 2024," Mancini said. "This recognition is made to highlight the significant clinical, administrative and research contributions made toward enhancing war-fighter performance, operational capabilities, readiness and Navy Medicine. This recognition means a great deal to me, as I take immense pride in my job and believe in the importance of our public health mission. Hearing loss prevention and hearing readiness are essential to the health promotion and resiliency of our Navy and Marine Corps community."
Mancini can take pride in serving America through military service.
"Serving in our country's Navy and armed forces has been extremely rewarding and has afforded unique opportunities, experiences and locations to myself and my family," Mancini added.