by Navy Medicine | 23 January 2015 A few words from Navy Medicine's 2014?SAILOR OF THE YEAR: I was born in St. Charles, MO in 1981. I grew up in the St. Louis area and graduated high school in 2000 from Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, IL. After working in construction and holding jobs in local businesses, I enlisted in the Navy following graduation in search for a fresh and adventurous start in my young life. My career has taken me to Field Medical Service School (FMSS) in Camp Lejeune, NC, Surgical Technologist School at Naval School of Health and Science, Portsmouth, VA, Naval Hospital Great Lakes, 1st Medical Battalion, 1ST MLG, and Naval Medical Center San Diego. Previous positions I have held are Fleet Marine Force Warfare Program and Combat Life Saver at 1st MLG, Chairman of Enlisted Advancement Program and Petty Officer Selectee Leadership Course at Naval Medical Center San Diego, LPO for the Directorate for Surgical Services on the USNS Mercy, and LPO for the Forward Resuscitative Surgical Suite, Camp Dwyer Afghanistan. Currently I hold the position of Leading Petty Officer of the Main Operating Room (MOR), Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). The MOR is staffed with 115 enlisted, 60 Officers, and 10 Civilians where 12,000 surgeries are completed annually in an 18-room operating suite with a 4-room Labor and Delivery Ward in support of 150 staff surgeons and residents. One of the largest division in the MOR is Central Sterile Supply, tasked with the infection control and sterile processing of 20,000 instruments sets to be utilized throughout NMCSD, 16 outlying Clinics, and 20 Naval Ships. Navy Medicine has provided me a plethora of opportunities to work abroad. ?Some of the most exciting times of my career have been working jointly with the Marine Corps. While in Iraq and Afghanistan with Alpha Company, 1st Medical Battalion I was able to be part of a strong and diversified team made of Officers and Enlisted from a variety of commands in Navy Medicine with a focus on saving lives. We arranged our camp, set up our casualty receiving points, and began to continue our training with all the Officers and Enlisted personnel in preparation for the days to come.?? Days were long, hot, and stressful but as team we were able to accomplish the mission and the lives of Marines and Sailors were saved. Working jointly with our fellow services and civilians, providing top value of care to all who entrust their health to us, and ensuring our staffing is medically and physically ready when the calls comes to man our posts have been a pinnacle point in my career. ?As a Surgical Technologist, I have gained the skills and knowledge to positively impact and give back to the Navy.?? I would summarize my experience in Navy Medicine as ?A career that is an eye opening experience while finding my direction and calling in life, no other place I?d rather be than here with Navy Medicine.? My name is Jason Hildreth and I Am Navy Medicine.