ROTA, Spain – The Navy announced that Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Badillo, a native of Newport, is playing a critical role in the Navy’s efforts to maintain a healthy and ready fighting force in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
As a hospital corpsman working at Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, Badillo’s skills are vital to maintaining the health of the sailors in the Rota area, and by extension, the readiness of the Navy’s operational ships and submarines on which they serve, according to the Navy.
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“The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic brought an invisible enemy to our shores and changed the way we operate as a Navy,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement. “The fight against this virus is a tough one, but our sailors are tougher. We must harden our Navy by continuing to focus on the health and safety of our forces and our families. The health and safety of our sailors and their families is, and must continue to be, our number one priority.”
Badillo is a 2010 West Carteret High School graduate and 2020 Purdue Global University graduate. According to Badillo, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Newport.
“Being able to face the current pandemic, I have applied the recognition that even the smallest action can help,” Badillo said. “With the contribution of many hands, any change can be adapted, and even the smallest voice can be heard and create the biggest impact.”
The Navy Hospital Corps is the most decorated career field in the Navy. Corpsmen have earned 22 Medals of Honor, 179 Navy Crosses, 959 Silver Stars and more than 1,600 Bronze Stars. 20 ships have been named in honor of corpsmen.
In its century of service, the Navy Hospital Corps has supported millions of sailors and Marines in wartime and peace around the world. As the years have progressed, technological innovations are transforming medical training for the next generation of hospital corpsmen, according to Navy officials.
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“The legacy of the Navy Hospital Corps is knowing anywhere I go, the name corpsman is trusted as someone who anyone can go to for help,” Badillo said. “Following in the footsteps of my father, I’m always there with a helping hand and one to look to in times of trouble.”
