MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Kandice Cullison, a native of Troy, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Sigonella, Italy.
Cullison graduated from Troy High School in 2019.
Inspired by the people she knew who were working in the medical field, Cullison began a career in Navy Medicine.
“I’ve always known I would join the military since I was a kid,” Cullison said. “I was surrounded by medical personnel my entire life, so I knew that was something I wanted to do as well. Really, it just came down to the travel opportunities the Navy allows.”
Lessons from Troy continue to shape Cullison’s service.
“I had a very strict household growing up, which plays a part in my discipline today,” Cullison said.
As a hospital corpsman, Cullison supports Navy missions worldwide.
“I assist surgeons during surgery, and set up and maintain a sterile field in order to lessen the likelihood of infections,” Cullison said.
Cullison, who has served in the Navy for five years, has witnessed Navy Medicine’s impact firsthand.
“During code situations is where I feel like we truly make a difference,” Cullison said. “I like being able to help people during their most vulnerable times and helping to save lives.”
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.
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.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 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.
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.
When reflecting on her Navy career, Cullison considers having the trust of her command to be a defining milestone.
“My proudest accomplishment thus far was being asked to be a leading petty officer only two weeks after advancing to petty officer second class,” Cullison said. “To me, it showed how much my chain of command trusts me and counts on me with my junior sailors.”
Cullison 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 fighting for my family’s rights to be who they want to be and stand up for what they believe in,” Cullison said.
Cullison encourages others to follow in her footsteps.
“There are so many places to travel to and see, and serving in the Navy allows you to get paid to do it,” Cullison said. “I was able to see fireworks going off at the same time as Mount Etna erupting.”
“During code situations is where I feel like we truly make a difference,” Cullison said. “I like being able to help people during their most vulnerable times and helping to save lives.”
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.
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.
Navy Medicine – represented by more than 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.
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.
When reflecting on her Navy career, Cullison considers having the trust of her command to be a defining milestone.
“My proudest accomplishment thus far was being asked to be a leading petty officer only two weeks after advancing to petty officer second class,” Cullison said. “To me, it showed how much my chain of command trusts me and counts on me with my junior sailors.”
Cullison 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 fighting for my family’s rights to be who they want to be and stand up for what they believe in,” Cullison said.
Cullison encourages others to follow in her footsteps.
“There are so many places to travel to and see, and serving in the Navy allows you to get paid to do it,” Cullison said. “I was able to see fireworks going off at the same time as Mount Etna erupting.”
Cullison understands the vital role Navy Medicine plays in operational readiness.
“Working in Navy Medicine, we are empowered to do more than our civilian counterparts,” Cullison said.
“Working in Navy Medicine, we are empowered to do more than our civilian counterparts,” Cullison said.