MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Castano Piedrahita, a native of Belleville, Texas, was awarded Junior Sailor of the Year 2025 (JSOY) and serves at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit (NMRTU) Key West.
JSOY is an award given to an enlisted sailor in the Navy who is in the pay grade of E-4, or petty officer third class. The award recognizes sailors who demonstrate sustained superior performance, leadership and professionalism.
Castano graduated from Belleville High School in 2017.
Castano joined the Navy three years ago and today serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy to continue my schooling, travel the world and experience different cultures,” Castano said.
Castano values working with sailors the most.
“What I like most about my job is working with personnel who are in flight status,” Castano said. “I assist in keeping pilots in the air and the air traffic controllers in directing all air traffic.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those learned from Castano's mother.
JSOY is an award given to an enlisted sailor in the Navy who is in the pay grade of E-4, or petty officer third class. The award recognizes sailors who demonstrate sustained superior performance, leadership and professionalism.
Castano graduated from Belleville High School in 2017.
Castano joined the Navy three years ago and today serves as a hospital corpsman.
“I joined the Navy to continue my schooling, travel the world and experience different cultures,” Castano said.
Castano values working with sailors the most.
“What I like most about my job is working with personnel who are in flight status,” Castano said. “I assist in keeping pilots in the air and the air traffic controllers in directing all air traffic.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those learned from Castano's mother.
“The most important lesson I learned came from my mom, and that is having a good work ethic,” Castano said. “Being proud of the work you do, no matter how small, and being proud of something you can call your own.”
According to Navy officials, NMRTU Key West’s mission is to maximize warfighter performance through optimized medical readiness for operational needs, enhance medical force readiness for expeditionary support, and train/develop Navy Medicine personnel.
Navy Medicine, represented by more than 44,000 military and civilian health care professionals, provides 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.
“America is a maritime nation, and for 250 years, America’s warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom,” Navy officials said.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and internet access relying on secure undersea fiber optic cables, Navy leaders emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the country.
Castano said the Navy plays a vital role in defending our nation.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by allowing rapid response to crises without waiting for forces to deploy from the U.S.,” Castano said.
Castano has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is having the opportunity to help younger and older sailors achieve their goals and further their careers,” Castano said.
To Castano, serving in the Navy means responsibility and heritage.
“Serving in the Navy as a corpsman carries a strong sense of responsibility and heritage,” Castano added. “A meaning that goes back 127 years as the most decorated and best rating in the Navy.”
“Serving in the Navy as a corpsman carries a strong sense of responsibility and heritage,” Castano added. “A meaning that goes back 127 years as the most decorated and best rating in the Navy.”