By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Nicole Schmidt, a native of Elgin, Illinois, 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.
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley Nicole Schmidt, a native of Elgin, Illinois, 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 working at Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Six, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Schmidt’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.”
Schmidt is a 2009 Dundee-Crown High School graduate. According to Schmidt, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Elgin.
“I learned that if something truly matters to you, you will make a difference,” Schmidt said. “This has helped me in my naval career to strive to be better, do better and keep growing as a person.”
U.S. Navy Medicine is the most decorated career field in the Navy. Navy Hospital Corpsmen have earned 22 Medals of Honor, 179 Navy Crosses, 959 Silver Stars and more than 1,600 Bronze Stars. Twenty 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.
“Corpsmen are different, there’s no denying that,” Schmidt said. “I believe that is due to our strong history, values and dedication to excellence. Being a corpsman has been the most rewarding experience.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Schmidt, 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.
“Treating patients and helping people is what corpsmen do on a daily basis and a global pandemic did not, and will not, change that,” Schmidt added. “This is what we have trained for, and we all were ready to jump in and do our part like we always have been and always will be.”
“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.”
Schmidt is a 2009 Dundee-Crown High School graduate. According to Schmidt, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Elgin.
“I learned that if something truly matters to you, you will make a difference,” Schmidt said. “This has helped me in my naval career to strive to be better, do better and keep growing as a person.”
U.S. Navy Medicine is the most decorated career field in the Navy. Navy Hospital Corpsmen have earned 22 Medals of Honor, 179 Navy Crosses, 959 Silver Stars and more than 1,600 Bronze Stars. Twenty 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.
“Corpsmen are different, there’s no denying that,” Schmidt said. “I believe that is due to our strong history, values and dedication to excellence. Being a corpsman has been the most rewarding experience.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Schmidt, 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.
“Treating patients and helping people is what corpsmen do on a daily basis and a global pandemic did not, and will not, change that,” Schmidt added. “This is what we have trained for, and we all were ready to jump in and do our part like we always have been and always will be.”