Naval Hospital Bremerton hosted Rear Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, commander Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego in a visit and tour of NHB and Navy Branch Health Clinic Bangor and Navy Branch Health Clinic Everett, January 3-5. Faison also called upon Naval Hospital Oak Harbor.

The visit afforded Faison ample opportunity to engage in his self-professed favorite part of commanding the dozen Naval Hospitals and multiple, branch health clinics on the Pacific Rim – meeting and mingling with enlisted personnel. After conferring with command leadership, the admiral immediately reached out to assembled staff and recognized seven enlisted members with command coins from various directorates for their outstanding, steady contributions.

“If you don’t remember anything else about my visit, remember that I thank you for your service and for your caring. Thank you all,” said Faison addressing a packed auditorium of hospital corpsmen and support staff members. “Your reputation is well known throughout the fleet.”

“There are three things I expect from you and they are all darn important,” continued Faison. “Number one, be worthy of the trust that is placed in your hand. Our job is unlike any other. Everyone we care for has volunteered to serve our country. It is a sacred trust that we have in caring for them and their families. Our service members are heroes of our nation. Number two, be worthy of the uniform. Less than two percent of our country wears our uniform and safeguards our nation. In every time zone and on every continent, we are at the tip of the spear protecting our most important gift, freedom. You do that with honor, courage and commitment, principles that date back to the foundation of our nation.  Number three, be worthy of the privilege of leadership. Leadership is not a right, it’s a privilege and has to be earned. By helping and challenging today, we prepare for tomorrow. Our strong leaders are in the trenches helping out by flying top-cover, running interference and providing guidance.”

Faison wrapped up his two-way admiral call and discussion with staff members by again thanking them all for the jobs they do. “You have made Navy Medicine proud and me very proud by continuing to make a difference during this difficult time of war,” said Faison. “Caring for America’s sons and daughters as you do today is what sets you apart.”

Faison also mentioned that he routinely likes to ask enlisted and officer staff members three questions; “What do you see yourself doing 15 years from today?” “What do you plan to do to get there?” and “What did you do today to make your plan a reality?”

“Life is a one-time good deal and we all need to take advantage of it. I will help anyway I can to help anyone achieve their vision,” Faison said.