Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Fulton | 171107-N-OU129-146 BRUNEI (November 7, 2017) Chief Hospital Corpsman Kadia Griffin...... read more read more
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SINGAPORE (NNS) – The U.S. military community in Singapore continues to pay homage to Women's Heritage Month through simple and traditional means; enduring contributions in service to the nation.
The year's theme centers on "honoring women who fight all forms of discrimination” and pays tribute to women who have shaped the nation's history, culture, and laws to bring equality and inclusion to all Americans serving in the U.S. military, civil-service, and the private sector.
Chief Hospital Corpsman Kadia Griffin has experienced and fought against forms of discrimination first-hand throughout her 18-year career. She experienced gendered discrimination in a couple of commands she previously served with, but persisted through her career.
“I didn't necessarily know it was happening to others until I put on Khaki's and saw that preferential treatment was given to less deserving males,” said Griffin. “When it happened to me I didn't think much of it until other members in the chain of command saw it and brought things that were being said and done to prevent me from excelling in certain areas of my career to my attention. I'm a firm believer that what is meant for me, is mine and will happen on God's timing regardless of who tries to block it.”
Kadia Griffin was the first to join the military and has since had a few relatives follow-suit in her path. Griffin stated that she initially joined the Navy to help her family and get a free college education, with no intention of making a full-time career out of the military, but came to count her blessings with the time she spent in the Navy.
“I had a scholarship to attend Florida State University following high school. Joining was a spur of the moment decision,” said Griffin. “I gave someone a ride to the recruiter's office, ended up watching the presentation and realized this was an opportunity for me to help myself and my family back in Jamaica, while capitalizing on a free education.”
“With each re-enlistment, I had accomplished something and set new goals that the Navy continues to help me achieve.” It has benefited me far beyond what I expected and I'm proud to continue to serve and give back however I can. “
Griffin grew up financially poor, but upon her enlistment she became a primary avenue of support for her family back home. Sending money home was meant to be temporary, since she intended to bring her mother to the U.S. for a better-suited lifestyle.
“I joined without telling the majority of my family because I was determined to see it through and 18-years later, here I am,” said Griffin. “All but one of my siblings are living in the U.S. and Canada with very successful businesses, careers and families.”
Griffin began her Navy career as a Dental Technician (DT) before the rating officially merged with the Hospital Corpsman rating in 2005. She has worked several duty stations throughout her career, to include aboard USS Kitty Hawk, Naples, Italy and Okinawa, Japan before arriving to Singapore in support of Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific.
“My original choice to do something in the medical field was because I had a passion for helping people. Anything pertaining to medical is considered an elite job in Jamaica so growing up, it was one of the career fields that I was steered towards,” said Griffin. “My mother and grandmother were amazing caregivers and I inherited some of their drive to help people feel better.”
“In the last few years alone we've seen many changes that have allowed women to do jobs primarily held by men,” said Griffin. “The fact that women have the ability to perform alongside men far more than they once were able to - is progress.”
Today, women serve in every rank from seamen to admiral in the U.S. Navy, and hold nearly every job from naval aviator to deep-sea diver. 19 percent of the Navy's enlisted force are women, including eight percent of all senior and master chiefs. 18 percent of the officer force and 11 percent of all admirals are comprised of women.
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2018 21:44 |
| Story ID: | 270687 |
| Location: | SG |
| Web Views: | 107 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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