Photo By Seaman Thomas Furnish | SAGAMI WAN (May 20, 2023) – Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Roman Gomez, from Houston,...... read more read more
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YOKOSUKA, Japan –A Houston, Texas native was selected as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Blue Jacket of the Quarter for 2nd Quarter fiscal year 2023 during an all-hands call held on the main deck March 21, 2023.
Roman Gomez is a Hospital Corpsman (HM) 3rd Class forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. HM’s assist health care professionals in providing medical and dental care to Navy personnel and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and healthcare providers at medical treatment facilities.
“I was beyond happy,” said Gomez. “I had incredible Sailors competing against me that have completed so much in their jobs and have accomplished many things, which made this award have so much more value.”
Gomez attributes his success and accomplishments to his leadership and fellow corpsman in his department.
“I felt not only happy myself, but also happy for my department,” said Gomez. “My award isn’t only a representation of my accomplishments, but also my leadership that has supported me.”
Although this is Gomez’s first command, he has been dedicated in not only learning his rate, but also training other Sailors in his department.
“My daily duties consist of patient care of more than 900 Sailors from Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet,” said Gomez. “As one of the lead dental technicians, I train a junior technician to assist our dentist in tooth extractions, fillings, implants, crown deliveries, oral X-rays and teeth cleaning. As the sterilization program manager, I over see all sterilization of dental equipment for equipment valued at $325,000.”
Gomez also serves as the Tobacco Cessation Coordinator, Flight Deck Corpsman, Blue Ridge’s Junior Sailor Association Master-at-Arms, which oversees all junior Sailors in proper military bearing and attendance during command events. He is one of the three cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructors onboard USS Blue Ridge, qualifying Sailors for CPR through the American Red Cross.
Gomez chose his collateral duties to fulfill his passion of helping Sailors.
“I have chosen my collaterals as the hidden jobs that people may overlook that can help people,” said Gomez. “Helping someone is one of the most rewarding things.”
While Gomez is still considered a junior Sailor, through his experiences he hopes to guide new Sailors and give them advice that he wishes he had when he checked onboard.
“Some advice I have for a junior Sailor is that some things will not go as you want,” said Gomez. “Some things may suck for a time, but those are the things that you will remember the most when you’re a leader. Times get better and all you have to do is wait.”
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. For more information about USS Blue Ridge, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lcc19/Tag/198567/uss-blue-ridge/
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2023 01:04 |
| Story ID: | 448675 |
| Location: | JP |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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