SANTA RITA, Guam – A Guam native is working with the U.S. Navy at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heidi Cheek |
Carl Sorongon is an administration support civilian responsible for administrative functions for the hospital.
Sorongon credits success with the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Iloilo.
“I was a Navy brat and have served in the Navy," said Sorongon. "Growing up my dad served, and so I was exposed to the military lifestyle early. It was very structured, so it was a natural transition to working for the Navy.”
Naval Hospital Guam is comprised of the main hospital in Agana Heights and two branch clinics, medical and dental, on Naval Base Guam. The hospital’s staff consists of 516 active duty and 201 civilians, contractors, reservists and volunteers who serve more than 26,000 beneficiaries.
According to officials at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy personnel forward-deployed to Guam are part of the world’s largest fleet command and serve in a region critical to U.S. national security. The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. All told, there are more than 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the Pacific.
“I like being appreciated by staff for the work I do," Sorongon said. "Little things like hearing 'good job; makes me push harder to support the command.”
Working with the Navy means Sorongon is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors and civilians to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Sorongon is most proud of establishing procedures and process improvements that could last for decades.
“Usually processes don't even last for a year before they get updated," said Sorongon. "I have instituted processes and programs that will help for years to come.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Sorongon and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“I wanted the Navy to be my career," added Sorongon. "When I left active duty, I pushed to continue to serve in a different capacity as a federal employee.”
Sorongon credits success with the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Iloilo.
“I was a Navy brat and have served in the Navy," said Sorongon. "Growing up my dad served, and so I was exposed to the military lifestyle early. It was very structured, so it was a natural transition to working for the Navy.”
Naval Hospital Guam is comprised of the main hospital in Agana Heights and two branch clinics, medical and dental, on Naval Base Guam. The hospital’s staff consists of 516 active duty and 201 civilians, contractors, reservists and volunteers who serve more than 26,000 beneficiaries.
According to officials at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy personnel forward-deployed to Guam are part of the world’s largest fleet command and serve in a region critical to U.S. national security. The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. All told, there are more than 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the Pacific.
“I like being appreciated by staff for the work I do," Sorongon said. "Little things like hearing 'good job; makes me push harder to support the command.”
Working with the Navy means Sorongon is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors and civilians to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Sorongon is most proud of establishing procedures and process improvements that could last for decades.
“Usually processes don't even last for a year before they get updated," said Sorongon. "I have instituted processes and programs that will help for years to come.”
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Sorongon and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“I wanted the Navy to be my career," added Sorongon. "When I left active duty, I pushed to continue to serve in a different capacity as a federal employee.”