The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) announced, Nov. 23, the selection of its Sailor of the Year (SOY) for 2015.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (HM1) Jorge Castilleja, operations leading petty officer (LPO) for the Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit Seven (NEPMU-7), Rota, Spain, and a native of Pasadena, Texas, was selected as the 2015 SOY, from a field of highly qualified candidates throughout NMCPHC's headquarters and ten field activities.

"I see the hard work, mentorship and support HM1 Castilleja provides to the operational forces every day," said Lt. Cmdr. David Veenhuis, NEPMU-7 operations officer. "We are so lucky to have such top notch sailors out here on our small team. All of us at NEPMU-7 are extremely proud of his achievements."

Castilleja, who entered the Navy in 2005, was also recently selected as the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Headquarters 2015 Sailor of the Year.

As operations LPO, Petty Officer Castilleja manages the daily operations of his department, ranging from administration to preventive medicine support for fleet customers.

"I am just so grateful to be part of this awesome team at NEPMU-7. Our leadership is always motivating us to continue to grow. Our ward room is always teaching us new things. Our Chiefs are always there for us, and my peers and Sailors make the days fun and exciting," said Castilleja. "I could not have been blessed with a better family overseas."

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman William Hayden, NEPMU-7 senior enlisted leader, said he values the leadership and commitment to excellence that Petty Officer Castilleja provides on a daily basis.

"HM1 ranks amongst the most talented and capable Sailors I have worked with," said Hayden. "His contributions are truly a force multiplier for our command's mission and the missions of our supported partners."

According to Capt. Juliann Althoff, NEPMU-7 officer-in-charge, Petty Officer Castilleja embodies exceptional professionalism and dedication, and seeks out challenges and excels at everything he does.

"We are extraordinarily proud to have him as a member of our team and to have him represent NEPMU-7 as our Senior Sailor of the Year," said Althoff. "It is extremely well deserved."

NMCPHC headquarters leadership expressed similar sentiments.

"The entire Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center team is extremely proud of HM1 Castilleja," said Capt. Eric Hoffman, NMCPHC executive officer. "His selection as our Sailor of the Year speaks volumes about his professionalism, selflessness and focus on the success of our customers and his shipmates."

When asked what advice Castilleja has for those Sailors that aspire to follow in his footsteps he replied, "I would tell them to not follow in my footsteps. I would recommend they blaze their own path; their own way, doing what they love to do. A mentor is always a must but at the end of the day, if you love what you do, you will be surprised at the things that can be accomplished."

For more news from Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, visit http://www.navy.mil/.