PENSACOLA, Fla. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Martin, a native of Bradley, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola operating out of Naval Air Station Pensacola.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna-Liesa Hussey, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Martin joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Martin serves as a retail services specialist.
“The Navy provided me an opportunity to pay for college, the opportunities to see more of the world and the chance to do something unique with my life,” said Martin.
Growing up in Bradley, Martin attended Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School and graduated in 2010. Today, Martin relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Bradley to succeed in the military.
“I learned to make the best of difficult situations and to look ahead to the future,” said Martin.
These lessons have helped Martin while serving with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola.
Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola, also known as Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP), is older than 26 U.S. States and is in its second century of service. It is one of the country's oldest and most respected military medical facilities. NHP continues to provide health care to over 150,000 beneficiaries in its main facility and ten branch clinics across five states.
Today, the sixth Naval Hospital building was the first to be built outside of the NAS Pensacola installation. Initially commissioned as the Naval Regional Aerospace Medical Command in 1978, it continues its mission of providing healthcare to America's heroes and their families throughout the Gulf Coast region. In 2001, a 2-story, 73,000 square foot Outpatient Clinic was added to the Naval Hospital.
NHP's mission is to deliver high-quality healthcare to warfighters and beneficiaries, ensuring a medically ready force through strategic integration, innovation, and well-trained personnel.
Serving in the Navy means Martin is part of a team 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.
“I have been on two deployments and have witnessed how the Navy projects power and protects allies around the world,” said Martin.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Martin and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I am most proud of my roles in the basic phase certification of the USS Gonzalez because it was the most challenging evolution I've experienced in the Navy so far,” said Martin.
As Martin and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I think serving in the Navy means to value your community and your country above all,” added Martin. “There is a higher set of values that comes with serving that I am proud to be a part of.”