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Navy Petty Officers 1st Class Vanessa Poland, right, and Hugo Sanchezolmos, hospital corpsmen, participate in a man overboard drill aboard USNS Spearhead in the Atlantic Ocean, March 3, 2016. (Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Amy M. Ressler)

On Nov. 23, former Creekview High School Mustang, Vanessa Poland, was named the United States Navy’s Sailor of the Year for the Naval Health Clinic Charleston (NHCC). Petty Officer Poland is stationed at Joint Base Charleston – Naval Weapons Station, South Carolina, where she serves as a hospital corpsman and leading petty officer of NHCC’s Medical Home Port. She has been with NHCC since 2015, and is in her 12th year of military service.

In a phone interview with CFB, Poland filled us in on what has been going on since she graduated in June of 2004. Enlisting shortly after graduation from Creekview, she began her military career the following November.

Poland shared some stories about her favorite teachers in CFB, recounting Ms. Brewer, her 2nd grade teacher from Davis Elementary, who managed to always know the right thing to do when she and her best friend were repeatedly caught talking in class. She also reflected on CHS teacher, Mr. Johnson, who was both a class advisor and her economics teacher during her senior year. “He was wicked-smart,” Poland told us, “and he treated us like people.”

Poland said that being on the Swim Team was a great foundation for being in the military. “With sports, you are on a team and united toward a goal, which translates well into the military experience.”

Throughout her years in the Navy, Poland has continued her education and earned her Masters degree in Business Administration in 2014. Eligible for retirement in 2024, Poland plans on entering the non-profit sector, primarily working with veterans. “I’m well acquainted with the adjustments that veterans must make when they leave the military and transition into civilian life. The military does a great job of making decisions for you; where you sleep, what you eat, and so on. I’d like to help veterans make this transition with jobs and housing.”

When Poland found out she had been selected as NHCC’s “Senior Sailor of the Year,” she said she felt honored.

“I was competing against a stellar group of petty officers,” Poland said. “The other nominees do such awesome things throughout the command, so I was among an elite group.”

NHCC Commanding Officer Capt. Elizabeth Maley said it is a “true joy” having a Sailor with Poland’s caliber and character serving under her command.

“She is a model Sailor who exemplifies the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” Maley said. “That’s just one of the reason’s she’s our ‘Senior Sailor of the Year.'”

NHCC’s top enlisted Sailor, Command Master Chief Robert Miley, said Poland is the epitome of Navy professionalism. “Poland has set a high standard through her selfless work ethic, attention to detail and sincere concern for our Sailors,” Miley said. “We are proud to have her represent our Command.”

Poland will represent NHCC in December as she competes against 20 first class petty officers from other military treatment facilities to be named the Navy Medicine East 2016 Sailor of the Year.

Poland, who is currently in charge of 15 Sailors, but has mentored hundreds throughout her career, said the junior Sailors are her driving forces for inspiration and motivation.

“I am fortunate to work with Sailors whose enthusiasm keeps me focused and driven,” Poland said. “I learn just as much, if not more, from them.”

Poland also credits her own mentors for playing a big part in her success. “I have some really incredible mentors who helped me get to where I am in my career,” Poland said. “They helped make my first 12 years in the Navy great. I know the eight years ahead of me are going to be even better.”

Polands’s past assignments include serving at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina; Naval Hospital Guam; Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina; and at the Branch Health Clinic at the Naval Air Station in Oceana, Virginia.

Poland recently returned from a deployment aboard the USNS Spearhead, of which, she provided medical support during humanitarian missions in West Africa, Spain, Cameroon, Ghana, Gabo and Senegal.

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