PENSACOLA, Fla. – Hospitalman Sydney Wilson, a native of Tellico Plains, Tennessee, 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 |
Wilson joined the Navy three years ago.
“No one in my family has ever moved out of my hometown, and I wanted something different in my life,” said Wilson. “I wanted to graduate college without student loan debt and also to become a nurse. Joining the Navy and becoming a corpsman really appealed to me because it can help make that happen.”
Growing up in Tellico Plains, Wilson attended Tellico Plains High School and graduated in 2019. Today, Wilson relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Tellico Plains to succeed in the military.
“Growing up in a small town we didn’t have a lot of social influences,” said Wilson. “You learn to be an individual and that’s one of the things that has helped me so far in the military.”
These lessons have helped Wilson 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 Wilson 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 supports national defense by being a part of the armed services and being able to support and protect our country and its allies,” said Wilson.
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.
Wilson and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m most proud of being able to turn around patient care time from one hour to 15 minutes,” said Wilson. “I’m also proud of my role as part of a COVID response team that assisted in the treatment and care of approximately 85 patients daily.”
As Wilson 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 means I’m a part of a team, and that means a lot to me,” added Wilson. “I always have a teammate that may not know what I’m going through, but they are always willing to help. We all raised our hand and took an oath to protect this county and I’m proud to be able to help and be a support system for my fellow service members.”