By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Petty Officer 1st Class Sheena Coy, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is playing a critical role in the U.S. Navy’s efforts to maintain a healthy and ready fighting force in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.
As a hospital corpsman and preventive medicine technician working at Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Six Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Coy’s skills are vital to maintaining the health of the sailors in the Pacific area, and by extension, the readiness of the Navy’s operational ships and submarines on which they serve.
“The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic brought an invisible enemy to our shores and changed the way we operate as a Navy,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "The fight against this virus is a tough one, but our sailors are tougher. We must harden our Navy by continuing to focus on the health and safety of our forces and our families. The health and safety of our sailors and their families is, and must continue to be, our number one priority.”
As part of the Navy medicine team, Coy protects sailors and their families, many of whom deploy around the world supporting national interests here at home.
“Serving in the Navy as a hospital corpsman at this time makes me value the Navy Medicine Enterprise, and for me, cements the importance of our contribution to the team,” Coy said. “I feel reinvigorated to serve and to continue to contribute to putting the threat of Coronavirus behind me."
According to Coy, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Brooklyn.
“Growing up in Brooklyn with the rich diversity, the unpredictability of daily life, an acute awareness of differences and always on the go, has made adapting to the military easy,” Coy said. “In this age of Coronavirus, I am able to apply the aspects of adaptation to get through these previously unchartered areas of prevention focus.”
The U.S. Navy Hospital Corps is the most decorated career field in the Navy. Corpsmen have earned 22 Medals of Honor, 179 Navy Crosses, 959 Silver Stars and more than 1,600 Bronze Stars. 20 ships have been named in honor of corpsmen.
In its century of service, the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps has supported millions of sailors and Marines in wartime and peace around the world. As the years have progressed, technological innovations are transforming medical training for the next generation of hospital corpsmen, according to Navy officials.
“Having recently celebrated the birthday of the Hospital Corps and reflecting on what it means to be a member of the most decorated and respected enlisted corps, pride is the first thing to comes to mind,” Coy said. “There is pride in Navy medicine, the Hospital Corps and the Preventive Medicine Specialty, which is in its golden hour!”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Coy, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition that dates back centuries. Their efforts, especially during this time of challenge brought on by the Coronavirus, will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who provide the Navy the nation needs.