PEARL HAROR, Hawaii - Petty Officer 3rd Class Phillip Gomez, a native of Los Angeles, 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 Preventive Medicine Unit Six in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Gomez’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.”
Gomez is a 2010 Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy graduate. According to Gomez, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Los Angeles.
“Growing up, I've learned to be mature, responsible, and care for those in need,” Gomez said. “With this pandemic, the experiences I've achieved growing up have been vital to my success as a corpsman.”
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.
“The Navy Hospital Corps has been good to me and I would not trade it for the world,” Gomez said. “The sailors I met and the skills that I learned, were imperative to the shaping of my career and lifestyle. To definitely sacrifice time, and energy in carrying on "Service with Distinction!”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Gomez, 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.
“Every second of the day is applied to helping others during this global pandemic, no matter how small or big the task,” Gomez added. “I want my mother to smile knowing her son is having a huge impact in people’s lives.”
“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.”
Gomez is a 2010 Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy graduate. According to Gomez, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Los Angeles.
“Growing up, I've learned to be mature, responsible, and care for those in need,” Gomez said. “With this pandemic, the experiences I've achieved growing up have been vital to my success as a corpsman.”
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.
“The Navy Hospital Corps has been good to me and I would not trade it for the world,” Gomez said. “The sailors I met and the skills that I learned, were imperative to the shaping of my career and lifestyle. To definitely sacrifice time, and energy in carrying on "Service with Distinction!”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Gomez, 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.
“Every second of the day is applied to helping others during this global pandemic, no matter how small or big the task,” Gomez added. “I want my mother to smile knowing her son is having a huge impact in people’s lives.”