MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 3rd Class Courtney McDerby, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was recently selected as Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2025 while serving with Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Junior Sailor of the Quarter 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.
McDerby, a 2014 graduate of Parkway North High School, joined the Navy six years ago and now serves as a hospital corpsman.
McDerby joined the Navy to get more out of life.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted more for myself,” McDerby said. “At the time, I was working at Dominos in Bremerton, Washington, and I knew I needed a path that offered purpose, growth, and stability. The Navy’s traditions spoke to me, especially because I’m very family-oriented. I wanted to be part of something I could be proud of, and the Navy has absolutely made me prouder of who I am and what I’ve accomplished.”
McDerby loves being part of a team that introduces her to new people who need her help.
“The best part about being a hospital corpsman and an orthopedic tech is the people I get to meet and help,” McDerby said. “Their stories inspire me to keep going and deepen my pride in serving the Navy family I’m a part of.”
NMRTC Jacksonville’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality health care services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research.
NMRTC Jacksonville, co-located with Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville, has five units across Florida and Georgia to support warfighter medical readiness to deploy and clinician readiness to save lives. NH Jacksonville and its five branch health clinics serve 175,000 active duty, active duty family members, and retired service members, including 54,000 patients enrolled with a primary care manager.
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.
For McDerby, her service represents more than meets the eye.
“Serving in the Navy means security, purpose, and pride,” McDerby said. “It represents confidence in the path I chose and pride in everything I’ve accomplished since enlisting. It’s a reminder that I’m part of something bigger than myself and that my service is bigger than myself, and my service truly matters.”
Junior Sailor of the Quarter 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.
McDerby, a 2014 graduate of Parkway North High School, joined the Navy six years ago and now serves as a hospital corpsman.
McDerby joined the Navy to get more out of life.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted more for myself,” McDerby said. “At the time, I was working at Dominos in Bremerton, Washington, and I knew I needed a path that offered purpose, growth, and stability. The Navy’s traditions spoke to me, especially because I’m very family-oriented. I wanted to be part of something I could be proud of, and the Navy has absolutely made me prouder of who I am and what I’ve accomplished.”
McDerby loves being part of a team that introduces her to new people who need her help.
“The best part about being a hospital corpsman and an orthopedic tech is the people I get to meet and help,” McDerby said. “Their stories inspire me to keep going and deepen my pride in serving the Navy family I’m a part of.”
NMRTC Jacksonville’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality health care services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research.
NMRTC Jacksonville, co-located with Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville, has five units across Florida and Georgia to support warfighter medical readiness to deploy and clinician readiness to save lives. NH Jacksonville and its five branch health clinics serve 175,000 active duty, active duty family members, and retired service members, including 54,000 patients enrolled with a primary care manager.
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.
For McDerby, her service represents more than meets the eye.
“Serving in the Navy means security, purpose, and pride,” McDerby said. “It represents confidence in the path I chose and pride in everything I’ve accomplished since enlisting. It’s a reminder that I’m part of something bigger than myself and that my service is bigger than myself, and my service truly matters.”