MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Medina, a native of Inglewood, California, is deployed aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship, USNS Comfort, supporting Continuing Promise 2025.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven Fernandez, USNS Comfort |
Continuing Promise 2025 is an exercise focused on humanitarian assistance, medical readiness, and goodwill with six nations in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The exercise runs from June to August, and more than 1,000 personnel participate.
Health services offered during Continuing Promise 2025 include general surgery, dental screenings and treatment, preventive medicine, medical evaluation, public health training, veterinary care and vision screening.
Medina graduated from Morningside High School in 2014.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Inglewood.
“The main lesson I apply from my hometown is how to be open-minded, not to be quick to judge, regardless of background,” Medina said.
Medina joined the Navy eight years ago.
“I wanted to gain experience of traveling the world while treating different patients and learning their backgrounds,” Medina said.
Medina played a key role in supporting the exercise as a hospital corpsman.
“I am part of the patient administration team,” Medina said. “I am responsible for the correct patient check-in and check-out process while in the different countries.”
This is the 16th Continuing Promise mission. Since 2007, medical personnel have treated more than 601,000 patients and performed approximately 7,300 surgeries. When combined with veterinary services, subject matter expert exchanges, engineering projects, community relations events and band performances, Continuing Promise has positively impacted more people in partner nations than any other deployment series in U.S. Navy history.
“Taking part in Continuing Promise means that I can not only treat those in need in the U.S. but also in countries that I never thought I’d be in,” Medina said.
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.
Medina has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The one thing I am most proud of in my career is being able to successfully treat and keep one of my Marines alive during a training event,” Medina said.
Medina serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means that I will always be sought out to stand up for those who cannot advocate for themselves,” Medina said.
Medina is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.