SIGONELLA, Italy - Petty Officer 1st Class Cameron Arthur Galindo, a native of Caldwell, Idaho, was recently selected for the Medical Service Corps Inservice Procurement Program (MSC-IPP) serving at U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy.
Galindo, a 2007 graduate of Caldwell High School, joined the Navy 11 years ago.
Galindo graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree and obtained his American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) lab certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
"I joined the Navy because I wanted to have a meaningful career that would provide a stable life for me and my family and help me achieve my academic goals," said Galindo.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Caldwell.
"Growing up in a smaller, rural town like Caldwell taught me that you can accomplish a lot with determination and hard work," said Galindo. "I also learned to not be afraid to ask for help from others more experienced. Those lessons have translated well into my military career."
Galindo's career has included assignments at USNMRTC Pensacola, Florida, and USNMRTC Charleston, South Carolina. Today, Galindo serves as a hospital corpsman and laboratory technician with USNMRTC Sigonella.
"My favorite part about being a medical laboratory technician is solving problems scientifically, and contributing to our patients' diagnosis and treatment," said Galindo.
The commissioning program that Galindo has been selected for is one of the most competitive commissioning pathways in the United States Navy. The MSC-IPP opens annually and selects only about 13 percent of its total applicants. This program is available to all service members serving in Active Duty or Full-Time Support status within the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, specifically for those in the ranks of E-5 to E-9. Approximately one percent of the American population serves in the United States military and within the United States Navy, roughly 16 percent of all service members are commissioned officers. Sailors of HM1 Galindo’s caliber are a rare find and he is undoubtedly among the best and brightest.
"I joined the Navy because I wanted to have a meaningful career that would provide a stable life for me and my family and help me achieve my academic goals," said Galindo.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Caldwell.
"Growing up in a smaller, rural town like Caldwell taught me that you can accomplish a lot with determination and hard work," said Galindo. "I also learned to not be afraid to ask for help from others more experienced. Those lessons have translated well into my military career."
Galindo's career has included assignments at USNMRTC Pensacola, Florida, and USNMRTC Charleston, South Carolina. Today, Galindo serves as a hospital corpsman and laboratory technician with USNMRTC Sigonella.
"My favorite part about being a medical laboratory technician is solving problems scientifically, and contributing to our patients' diagnosis and treatment," said Galindo.
The commissioning program that Galindo has been selected for is one of the most competitive commissioning pathways in the United States Navy. The MSC-IPP opens annually and selects only about 13 percent of its total applicants. This program is available to all service members serving in Active Duty or Full-Time Support status within the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps, specifically for those in the ranks of E-5 to E-9. Approximately one percent of the American population serves in the United States military and within the United States Navy, roughly 16 percent of all service members are commissioned officers. Sailors of HM1 Galindo’s caliber are a rare find and he is undoubtedly among the best and brightest.
"I wanted to have a meaningful career that would provide a stable life for my family while also helping me achieve my academic goals," said Galindo.
A humble servant and a quiet professional, Galindo cites his family as his most significant accomplishment. His wife, Jessica, and their children, Zoey and Emmet, have been steadfast supporters throughout his journey. He credits them as his motivation to strive for excellence in all his endeavors.
Lt. Julius C. Wiseman mentored Galindo through the application process and stated, "The United States Navy takes good men and women and makes them great. It was an absolute pleasure to assist Galindo with the assembly of his application. I believe the Navy got this one right. I look forward to serving alongside him in the Medical Service Corps and welcoming him into the Wardroom."
USNMRTC 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, USNMRTC 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.
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.
Galindo serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Galindo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I'm most proud of learning vital leadership skills early on in my Navy career and always strive to leave a place better than when you found it," said Galindo. "Helping others reach their career and life goals is also what I'm proud of being able to do."
Galindo can take pride in serving America through military service.
"To me, serving in the Navy means contributing to something bigger and more meaningful than myself," said Galindo. "Our service has a long and legendary tradition of moving the prosperity of our nation forward to a better, safer future and it's a great honor to be a part of that history."
"I want to especially thank the great teaching staff at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), several who are veterans themselves, and all the work they put in to help me complete my bachelor's degree and ASCP lab certification for Medical Laboratory Scientist," added Galindo.
USNMRTC 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, USNMRTC 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.
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.
Galindo serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
Galindo has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I'm most proud of learning vital leadership skills early on in my Navy career and always strive to leave a place better than when you found it," said Galindo. "Helping others reach their career and life goals is also what I'm proud of being able to do."
Galindo can take pride in serving America through military service.
"To me, serving in the Navy means contributing to something bigger and more meaningful than myself," said Galindo. "Our service has a long and legendary tradition of moving the prosperity of our nation forward to a better, safer future and it's a great honor to be a part of that history."
"I want to especially thank the great teaching staff at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), several who are veterans themselves, and all the work they put in to help me complete my bachelor's degree and ASCP lab certification for Medical Laboratory Scientist," added Galindo.