By Lt. j.g. Taylor Worley, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Petty Officer 1st Class Laquisha Byrd, a native of Manassas Park, Virginia, was recently selected as the Senior Sailor of the Quarter (SSOQ) while serving at United States Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella.
The Navy’s Senior Sailor of the Quarter program recognizes sailors for outstanding character, dedication and going above and beyond their duties. Byrd was also awarded a Flag Letter of Commendation.
“Being selected as Senior Sailor of the Quarter is a deeply humbling experience,” Byrd said. “It is a direct reflection of the outstanding Sailors I have the privilege of leading and the invaluable lessons and guidance I’ve received from my own mentors. It isn’t just a validation of my own hard work, but my directorate’s shared commitment to excellence. A reminder that hard work and dedication to duty, and most importantly, our Sailors, reflect your character and will always be recognized one way or another.”
Byrd graduated from Manassas Park High School in 2010 and earned their bachelor of science in health sciences in 2025. They have been in the Navy for 14 years and serve as a hospital corpsman.
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.
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