PENSACOLA, Fla. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Cassidy Gonzalez, a native of Stoneboro, Pennsylvania, 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 |
Gonzalez joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Gonzalez serves as a hospital corpsman.
“Joining the Navy was a stepping stone for me,” said Gonzalez. “I didn’t want to go to college right away but I did want to do something where I could help people.”
Growing up in Stoneboro, Gonzalez attended Lakeview High School and graduated in 2018. Today, Gonzalez relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Stoneboro to succeed in the military.
“The importance of having a close-knit community and good support system is something I brought with me from my hometown to my Navy career,” said Gonzalez.
This continues to help Gonzalez 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 Gonzalez 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.
“The Navy keeps everyone safe back home,” said Gonzalez.
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.
Gonzalez and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I never considered myself a leader before, but being in the Navy has pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me to be a leader,” said Gonzalez.
As Gonzalez and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy gives me a stronger sense of self-worth and reason to be proud of myself,” added Gonzalez.