By: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bryan Niegel, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A native of Monrovia, Liberia, is serving at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Assatu Barry joined the Navy 11 months ago.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to give back to the county that embrace me through the diversity program to come here,” said Barry.
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Liberia.
“One important lesson I learned from my hometown was to be able to deal with stress,” said Barry. “This helped me to handle tough situations in the Navy.”
Today, Barry serves as a logistics specialist.
“My favorite part about being a logistics specialist is getting all supplies ready for executing tasks,” said Barry.
According to Navy officials, NMRTC’s mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMRTC serves as the single point of contact in support of installation and operational commanders, providing medical information, support and over medical cognizance of the active duty and reserve force.
Barry is on Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) at Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command, Williamsburg, VA, (NMRLC). NMRLC is responsible for global expeditionary medical logistics resources and supporting Combatant Commands’ wartime contingency requirements. The sailors there on TAD are dispositioning, labeling, and conducting other inventory activities during warehouse operations, facilitating expeditionary medical and forces afloat in receiving materiel necessary for mission success.
With 90 percent 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 trained sailors and a strong Navy.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Barry is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national defense by providing a ready force,” said Barry. “It promotes stability, prevents crisis and combats terrorism.”
Barry has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was being the top of my class from ‘A’ school,” said Barry.
As Barry and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy is like a dream come true,” added Barry. “It has helped me work well in teams, to understand the importance of cooperation and to never give up.”
