PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Dennis Connell, a native of Rensselaer, New York, and retired Air Force veteran is continuing to serve the government as a civilian. Connell helps medical forces meet readiness, training, and operational requirements across a spectrum of military operations while serving with Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL) at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) military treatment facility. Serving military members and their families since 1830, NMCP is the U. S. Navy's oldest, continuously operating hospital.
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Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Terah Bryant, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Connell retired from the Air Force after 20 years and has been serving as a government civilian for the past 17 years.
“I became a government civilian because when I retired from the Air Force and went into the civilian sector, I missed the camaraderie and feeling of being a part of a team,” said Connell. “You don't really get that in the civilian sector, so I decided to work as a GS civilian.”
Connell attended Rensselaer Junior Senior High School and graduated in 1981.
Skills and values similar to those found in Rensselaer are important to succeed in the military.
“New York taught me responsibility,” said Connell. “I started working at 16 doing various summer jobs. Punctuality is also important and being held to a high standard. I knew the military had higher standards.”
These lessons have helped Connell while working for the Navy.
Navy Medicine — comprised of approximately 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals — provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.
“Warfighters are our most important weapon system,” said U.S. Navy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham. “We prepare and sustain that system. When the warfighter is having their worst day, our high-performing people will be at their best.”
As a government civilian, Connell is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important to national defense because of its maritime mission,” said Connell. “In Navy Medicine, we are tasked with making sure the warfighter is properly trained and motivated to do their medicine job. We do that all over the world. We take care of our sailors so they can successfully execute critical missions.”
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Connell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments while working for the Navy.
“My proudest accomplishment is being named Civilian of the Year in 2006,” said Connell. “My shop took care of and supported 18 different military hospitals on the East Coast and in Europe. I helped support that in a myriad of ways, which led to me becoming Civilian of the Year.”
Connell takes pride in working for the United States Navy.
“Being a government civilian means I am helping to defend democracy and uphold our constitution,” added Connell. “America is the greatest country in the world.”
NMFL, headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia, delivers operationally focused medical expertise and capabilities to meet Fleet, Marine and Joint Force requirements by providing equipment, sustainment and maintenance of medical forces during combat operations and public health crisis. NMFL provides oversight for 21 NMRTCs, logistics, and public health and dental services throughout the U.S. East Coast, U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba, Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East,