MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Ledestich, a native of Yucaipa, California, was recently named the 2024 Career Counselor of the Year for Bureau of Medicine and Surgery while serving with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Naples / U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Naples, Italy.
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Ledestich is a 2005 graduate of Yucaipa High School.
"Being named the Career Counselor of the Year is something that I have strived for since 2019," Ledestich said. "It validates that I am in the correct job and that my team and I are continuing to do good work that is noticed by leadership."
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Yucaipa.
"I was a bit of a clown and didn't take high school seriously," Ledestich said. "However, from playing volleyball, I learned that if you work together as a team, together you can beat the odds."
Ledestich joined the Navy 19 years ago.
"I joined the Navy to better myself and build a sense of individual accountability," Ledestich said. "At the time I joined, I did not see a better or faster way to learn financial, mental and individual freedom."
Today, Ledestich serves as a Navy career counselor responsible for helping sailors develop skills and find job placements.
"Being a Navy counselor allows me to assist the future generation coming into the Navy by showing them what 'right' looks like," Ledestich said. "It means I am able to take care of the sailors put in my charge and that every sailor I impact is ready for whatever is to come."
USNMRTC Naples / USNH Naples is a community hospital with one Naval Branch Health Clinic located at Capodichino and a Navy Fleet Liaison Detachment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany. The main hospital and the branch health clinic provide exceptional quality healthcare services and support to approximately 9,800 eligible personnel and family members from 62 U.S. Navy tenant commands, USS Mount Whitney and forces from the 22 nations that comprise the Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy.
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.
Ledestich has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"The proudest moments of my career are watching/hearing about sailors I have mentored achieve their goals and knowing I helped them get there," Ledestich said.
Ledestich can take pride in serving America through military service.
"I serve in the Navy for others who can't," Ledestich added. "I also serve to ensure the next generation of sailors is ready to withstand what comes next."
Ledestich can take pride in serving America through military service.
"I serve in the Navy for others who can't," Ledestich added. "I also serve to ensure the next generation of sailors is ready to withstand what comes next."