MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Bret Burns, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was recently recognized for their work while serving the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella, Italy.
Burns, a 2020 graduate of Saint Joseph’s Academy, was awarded a Navy Corpsman Appreciation Award for professional achievement in the superior performance of their duties while serving as a corpsman at Naval Hospital Sigonella.
“This award was given by the Italian Kiwanis Club for superior performance and dedication to care for women and children,” said Burns. “It means a lot to me to represent my hospital and country in my host nation, not only as a surgical technician but by volunteering extra hours to the OB-GYN/General Surgery Clinic.”
Burns joined the Navy four years ago. Additionally, Burns became a certified surgical technologist in 2021 and earned an associate degree in health sciences in 2023. Today, Burns serves as a hospital corpsman.
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC serves as the single point of contact in support of installation and operational commanders, providing medical information, support and over-medical cognizance of the active duty and reserve force.
Burns serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
U.S. NMRTC Sigonella / Naval Hospital Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, U.S. NMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.