Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (HM1) Carie Lynn Olson has been named Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point's (NHCCP) Sailor of the Year (SOY).

Olson is currently the leading petty officer for NHCCP's medical homeport. In addition to her primary duty, she is also the command assistant urinalysis coordinator, 1st and 2nd Class Petty Officers Association president and hospital corpsman ball committee chairman.

And if taking care of 35 Sailors along with her collateral duties isn't enough, she is also married to Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremy Olson, and they have five children ranging in age from six to 15.

"HM1 Olson is an outstanding representative of Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point and is an example of the caliber of Sailors we have in our command," said NHCCP Command Master Chief Nate Whiddon. "She is a dedicated professional who is not only an expert in her field, but has willingly used her talents to lead and set a positive example for others in our command and community. Her tireless efforts, commitment to excellence and proven results set her apart and epitomize our core values of honor, courage and commitment."

Olson, originally from Casper, Wyoming, enlisted in the Navy April 1, 1997, and attended Hospital Corps School in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Her duty stations include Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, Naval Hospital Rota Spain and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Yuma, Arizona. She deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), and served in Al Asad, Iraq.

It was in Al Asad that Olson met her future husband.

"I had just experienced the loss of my grandmother and this Marine came to see me," Olson said. "He had just experienced a loss in his family and we started talking. We ended up spending a lot of time becoming friends.

"Although all my tours have been exceptional, I think my deployment to Al Asad was the most memorable. Not only did I meet my future husband, but that deployment redefined me, who I am. It was a huge turning point in my life."

Olson began her first tour at NHCCP in 2008 before moving to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. She reported back to NHCCP in February 2015.

"It's difficult trying to sum up the many things HM1 does," said Lt. Cmdr. Melody O'Connor, NHCCP Medical Home Port assistant department head. "There is no 'one-liner' to describe the dedication to our patients, the loyalty to our staff or her commitment to the Navy. HM1 truly emulates the persona that leaders want junior troops to follow. She takes her position and rank very seriously, knowing she is a direct role model for her staff, whether in or out of uniform."

"I've known HM1 for four years," HM3 Zackary Williams said. "She always looks out for her junior Sailors and is ready to go to bat for us. She knows the Navy and if she doesn't have an answer to a question, she knows who to talk to and gets the answer. She expects all of us to do our jobs in a timely manner and professionally, the way she does her job."

Olson, whose future goals include advancing to chief petty officer as well as continuing her education, summed up her selection by saying, "the thing I love most about Navy medicine is the family atmosphere. I'm honored to be NHCCP's Sailor of the Year and excited to represent NHCCP at Navy Medicine East's SOY board."

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