MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 1st Class Julianne Thompson, a native of Cherokee, Iowa, serves the U.S. Navy as a mortician assigned to Navy and Marine Corps Mortuary (NAVMARMORT) at Naval Hospital Rota.
Thompson is a 2010 Washington High School graduate. Additionally, Thompson graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 2013 and from Southern Illinois University in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Cherokee.
"I grew up in a very small town in Iowa," Thompson said. "Growing up in a world that is sort of isolated because it's not a densely populated area has allowed me to cherish seeing parts of the world I might not have before. The people of that area also taught me the importance of working hard and taking pride in what you do. The amount of hours worked by farmers and people who raise cattle is very high, but so many of them love what they do, and they're proud to show you their accomplishments."
Thompson has served in the Navy for almost six years.
"I joined the Navy to continue my career as a mortician," Thompson said. "I wasn't feeling fulfilled in my career as a civilian mortician, and I felt that being a mortician for the military would be rewarding and challenging."
Today, Thompson serves as a hospital corpsman and the only mortician for U.S. European Command. Thompson is responsible for coordinating the transfer and services of bodies and also assists with other mortuary-related needs within the area of responsibility.
"I like that my job is something small and sort of unknown within the Navy," Thompson said. "This allows me to teach and explain to people how important the work that my fellow morticians and I do is. I also like that many days present a new challenge."
The Navy is the only branch of the military that employs its own morticians and there are less than 15 morticians total in the Navy.
Naval Hospital Rota plays a critical role in supporting the Navy’s largest European installation, strategically located within Spain’s Iberian Peninsula, by providing health services for all active duty personnel, retirees, DoD civilians and contract employees and family members in the Rota, Spain, community.
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.
Thompson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"My proudest accomplishment would be the most recent mortuary inspection of the mortuary in Rota," Thompson said. "I have sole responsibility of ensuring the mortuary meets the standards set by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. This is very much a team effort where I rely on the expertise of those who have responsibility over the programs that relate to the mortuary. Between myself and these individuals, we scored a 99%, which is the highest score any Navy mortuary has earned on an inspection yet."
Thompson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
"Serving in the Navy to me means giving my best for those who have given their all for this country," Thompson added.