MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Roberto Valdez, a native of Goodyear, Arizona, was recently selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ), first quarter, while serving with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella, Italy.
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Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Roberto Valdez befriends a local canine while on a training mission with the Sri Lanka military in January 2023 |
JSOQ is an award given to an enlisted sailor in the Navy who is in the pay grade of E-4. The award recognizes sailors who demonstrate sustained superior performance, leadership and professionalism.
“HM3 Valdez is an outstanding sailor rewarded for the work and sacrifices he has made and for his potential to be a future Navy leader," said Lt. Fremmy Cuadra, Emergency Department (ED) Division Officer. "Selflessness and camaraderie are distinguished attributes that HM3 Valdez brings to our USNMRTC Sigonella ED Team.”
Valdez is a 2017 Estrella Foothills High School graduate.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Goodyear.
"I was taught how to be disciplined, humble and caring by my parents, and that has made me the person I am today," Valdez said.
Valdez joined the Navy almost seven years ago.
"I wanted to join the Marines at first because I wanted to do grunt/infantry stuff," Valdez said. "Then, one of my friends from high school recommended that I become a hospital corpsman so I could do grunt/infantry stuff and save lives."
Today, Valdez serves as a hospital corpsman with USNMRTC Sigonella.
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Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class receives Fleet Marine Force pin while on deployment aboard USS Anchorage in May 2023 |
USNMRTC Sigonella / U.S. 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.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
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.
Valdez has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
"I am most proud of being pinned to hospital corpsman third class after taking a 10-mile hike," Valdez said. "I am also proud of getting my Fleet Marine Force pin."
Valdez can take pride in serving America through military service.
"Serving in the Navy means everything to me," added Valdez. "I want to deploy or go on missions, and I want to make a difference and be able to help other service members."