Navy Surgeon General Speaks with Naval Base San Diego Sailors

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy Surgeon General held an All Hands Call with Navy hospital corps personnel from Commander, 3rd Fleet; Commander, Surface Forces Pacific; and Commander, Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW); at the Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) base theatre Oct. 17.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan shared his vision for medical readiness, joint service interoperability and other issues facing U.S. Navy healthcare professionals.

Nathan began his dialogue by acknowledging the strain that hospital corps Sailors endure to ensure they are ready at any moment to deploy top notch medical assets.

"I recognize the challenges and the sacrifices of being in deployable units and being on the waterfront," said Nathan. "I recognize that our current OPTEMPO [operational tempo] and the fact that we must field a team of professionals that can provide world class care anytime anywhere that puts wear and tear on people."

Sailors spoke of training deficiencies, equipment shortages and limitations due to the reduction of manning.

"At the end of the day it's important that I look you in the eye and say...You are the reason I exist and why I have a job! We can't be the Nation's maritime wartime responders and humanitarian responders without you. So it's pivotal that we provide you with what you need to do your job," added Nathan.

Nathan and Hospital Corps Force Master Chief, Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Sherman Boss later shifted the focus toward workplace education which could eventually lead toward immediate civilian-job qualifications.

"Currently, a quad zero corpsman who's done their time can't say I've done my time and I want to go do something else. They can't walk out of the Navy with any great certainty they'll get a job, and that drives me nuts. So, I'm working hard for USU's [Uniformed Services University] to provide our corpsmen with a piece of paper that will give them certifications which will enable them to go out and go right to work," said Boss.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Daniel Camilli said he was very happy with what he heard. He especially was enthusiastic about the focus on ensuring transitioning Sailors may eventually receive civilian medical qualifications while in the service.

"I thought this was very good and much needed," said Camilli. "He addressed a lot of questions I had regarding where the medical profession is heading within the Navy. My favorite portion was when he and Master Chief Boss spoke about how the Navy is trying to help its personnel attain qualifications which will ease the transition into a civilian medical profession."

While in CNRSW, Nathan will tour the medical facilities at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

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For more news from Naval Base San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/NBSD/.