Community Corner
Worcester Native Receives Navy And Marine Corps Commendation Medal
A Worcester native serving in the U.S. Navy recently received a medal for his work with a previous command.
WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester native serving in the U.S. Navy recently received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his work with a previous command.
Petty Officer 1st Class Jose Ojeda earned the medal for serving as senior enlisted advisor of the Shock Trauma Platoon in Combat Logistics Battalion at the 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, according to Navy officials. Ojeda also served as career counselor leading petty officer for the 2nd Medical Battalion, where officials said he helped raise the retention rate from 70% to 90%.
Ojeda now serves as a hospital corpsman at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Camp Pendleton in California. The command supports Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and helps train military members to deploy and provide medical support to Navy and Marine units.
Ojeda graduated from North High School in Worcester in 2013. He also earned an associate degree in health sciences from American Public University this year.
“Being a sports player and a prior Navy Junior ROTC cadet has taught me the importance of discipline, accountability and trust,” Ojeda said. “It is important to have the discipline to show up on time and put forth 100% effort, even when I don’t feel like it at times. Accountability is important because I have to be accountable for my actions since they affect the team’s success or failures. Lastly, I need to trust the sailors to the right and left of me to do their job.”
Ojeda said he joined the Navy to challenge himself, develop as a leader and serve something larger than his own interests while building a stable future.
“I am most proud of becoming a career counselor because it allowed me to better serve my sailors and help them be successful,” Ojeda said.
Navy Medicine includes more than 44,000 military and civilian health care professionals who provide medical support to service members at sea, ashore and in operational settings, according to Navy officials.
This year, the Navy is marking its role in the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. Navy officials said the service continues to focus on recruiting and retaining people from across the country.
Ojeda said serving in the Navy has given him a sense of growth, sacrifice and purpose.
“It’s given me opportunities to challenge myself, develop as a leader and work alongside amazing people from different walks of life who are all working towards the same mission,” Ojeda said.
Ojeda also thanked his family and a former Navy Junior ROTC instructor for supporting his career.
“I want to thank my mom, dad and grandparents for their love and support throughout this journey because I would not be here without them,” Ojeda said. “I also want to thank my Navy Junior ROTC instructor, Retired Chief Information Systems Technician Anthony Pastrana. He was one of the few people who saw potential in me and still gives me guidance to this day.”
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