MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas McLaughlin, a native of Hephzibah, Georgia, is deployed aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort, supporting Continuing Promise 2025.
 |
Photo by Army Cpl. William Hunter, USNS Comfort |
Continuing Promise 2025 is an exercise focused on humanitarian assistance, medical readiness, and goodwill with six nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The exercise runs from June to August, and more than 1,000 personnel participate.
Health services offered during Continuing Promise 2025 include general surgery, dental screenings and treatment, preventive medicine, medical evaluation, public health training, veterinary care and vision screening.
McLaughlin graduated from Hephzibah High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hephzibah.
"Growing up, my dad did plumbing work, and that taught me the value of hard work," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin joined the Navy five years ago.
"My grandparents, dad, uncles and sisters have all served in the military," McLaughlin said. "I wanted to continue the family legacy."
McLaughlin plays a key role in supporting the exercise as a builder.
"As a builder, I'm doing carpentry, tile work, painting, renovations in schools and hospitals, building benches and chicken coops," McLaughlin said.
This is the 16th Continuing Promise mission. Since 2007, medical personnel have treated more than 601,000 patients and performed approximately 7,300 surgeries. When combined with veterinary services, subject matter expert exchanges, engineering projects, community relations events and band performances, Continuing Promise has positively impacted more people in partner nations than any other deployment series in U.S. Navy history.
"It’s pretty cool to go around, do my job and see how it helps the local communities," McLaughlin said.
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.
McLaughlin has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"Earlier this year, the guys and I pulled some people out of a swamp in Louisiana, which was later posted on the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy's and My Navy Human Resources' Facebook page," McLaughlin said. "Seeing the impact we made was pretty cool."
McLaughlin serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"It means a lot to serve in the Navy," McLaughlin added. "I love my military community and the Seabees, and when I get out, a lot of the job skills I've learned in the Navy will transfer over into my civilian job."
"As a builder, I'm doing carpentry, tile work, painting, renovations in schools and hospitals, building benches and chicken coops," McLaughlin said.
This is the 16th Continuing Promise mission. Since 2007, medical personnel have treated more than 601,000 patients and performed approximately 7,300 surgeries. When combined with veterinary services, subject matter expert exchanges, engineering projects, community relations events and band performances, Continuing Promise has positively impacted more people in partner nations than any other deployment series in U.S. Navy history.
"It’s pretty cool to go around, do my job and see how it helps the local communities," McLaughlin said.
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.
McLaughlin has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"Earlier this year, the guys and I pulled some people out of a swamp in Louisiana, which was later posted on the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy's and My Navy Human Resources' Facebook page," McLaughlin said. "Seeing the impact we made was pretty cool."
McLaughlin serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
"It means a lot to serve in the Navy," McLaughlin added. "I love my military community and the Seabees, and when I get out, a lot of the job skills I've learned in the Navy will transfer over into my civilian job."