Courtesy story by Lt. j.g. Taylor Worley, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Wagner, a native of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, was recently named Motivator of the Month while serving aboard U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Guantanamo Bay at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Motivator of the Month is an award that recognizes sailors for their outstanding performance, dedication to duty, and their ability to inspire and motivate others within the Navy.

Wagner, assigned to NMRTC Portsmouth in Virginia, is serving at USNMRTC Guantanamo Bay on temporary duty and was selected as a “Motivator of the Month” for “his seamless integration into the Prev Med team” while the team was short-staffed, according to Navy officials.

Wagner, a 2006 graduate of Reedsburg Area High School, also graduated from Liberty University in 2020.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Reedsburg.

“Growing up in my hometown, I learned the value of being in a tight-knit community, resilience in the face of challenges and appreciating the impact of small-town connections,” Wagner said.

Wagner joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, Wagner serves as a hospital corpsman.

“I joined the Navy because of the terror attacks on 9/11,” Wagner said. “Getting to serve my country while having an opportunity to get more education was another reason.”

As a hospital corpsman, Wagner works in preventative medicine.

“My favorite part of being a preventive medicine technician is protecting people before they get sick,” said Wagner. “We do this by solving problems in the field and making a direct impact on community health.”

USNMRTC Guantanamo Bay focuses on three critical mission priorities: warfighter readiness, medical force generation and supporting the delivery of high-quality health care at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay provides health care to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community, which consists of approximately 4,500 military members, federal employees, U.S. and foreign national contractors and their families. The hospital also operates the only overseas military home health care facility, providing care to elderly special category residents who sought asylum on the installation during the Cuban Revolution.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Wagner has had many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy was serving alongside my Marine brothers and sisters, completing our mission and knowing my work directly contributed to protecting my country,” Wagner said.

Wagner has many opportunities to continue developing skills that help achieve the Navy’s mission. 

“Serving in the Navy has been one of the most defining experiences of my life,” said Wagner. “It has taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of teamwork, while also giving me the opportunity to develop technical skills that directly contribute to the mission.”

Wagner serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“The Navy defends the nation by controlling the seas, deterring threats, protecting global trade and projecting power worldwide,” said Wagner. “Serving in the Navy means being part of something greater than myself, protecting my country and living with honor, courage and commitment every day.”

Wagner is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.