Navy ‘doc’ inspired by past serves today

Photo By Cpl. Mark Garcia | Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniele, corpsman for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment’s battalion aid station counts pills for a prescription, April 21, 2012. Growing up, Daniele had to look after and care for his father and grandfather, an experience that would later lead him to do the same for Marines.  

MUSA QA’LEH DISTRICT CENTER, AFGHANISTAN

04.25.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Garcia 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MUSA QA’LEH DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan — Growing up, Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Daniele spent his time looking after and caring for his father and grandfather, experiences that would lead him to help others in the Marines.

Daniele’s grandfather had Alzheimer’s, and his father underwent multiple surgeries and suffered from seizures as a result of a work-related accident.

“I was going to school and taking care of them at the same time,” said Daniele, 26, from Woodstock Ga. “I would be at school and my mother would call me to come help her take care of them, so I would leave school to go help her. My mother had a lot to do with taking care of all the kids, so I had to step up and help her out. She always called me her saving grace.”

Daniele’s father had a massive seizure and passed away in 2005, and his grandfather passed away in 2011 while in a nursing home. These experiences led Daniele to become a Navy corpsman so he could continue to help people.

“I like to take care of people, and I think it’s because I took care of my father and grandfather when I was younger,” said Daniele, a corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment’s battalion aid station.

Daniele was born in Queens, New York and enlisted in the Navy April 2005 after moving to Woodstock, Ga. After enlisting, Daniele became a culinary specialist because the corpsman field was closed at the time. After two years though, the field opened and he was able to change his job.

“I joined because I felt like it was my civil duty. It was something to do, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually accomplish something with my life,” Daniele said.

Daniele, an active member of the American Red Cross, is currently serving on his second combat deployment. His first deployment was to Iraq in 2008 with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Daniele has already decided he wants to make a full career out of the Navy before furthering his education.

“I’m going to college after I’m out of the Navy, studying medicine and getting a job as a general surgeon,” Daniele said.

Daniele misses his family and friends, but says he misses his niece and nephew the most.

“I’ve been in the military so long and been away from them so much. I can actually teach them a lot and help them,” Daniele said. “I want to be that uncle that they say, ‘Hey that’s my uncle. He’s really cool’.”

Daniele, who is also a pianist, copes with being away from his family by reading, writing and transposing music. He also says focusing on work helps keep his thoughts from drifting to back home.

“I keep my mind occupied by going out on any operation. I don’t allow the thoughts of my family to affect how I operate though,” Daniele said. “I know that I’m going to be coming home, and when I get home I’ll be able to see them then.”

Once his deployment is over, Daniele will return to Naples, Italy where he stationed.

“It’s actually a good place to be stationed because my family is originally from Italy, so I can visit my extended family out there. It’s a good travel location to be at as well,” Daniele said.

Daniele’s daily tasks include taking care of both Afghan and coalition force patients, filling prescriptions, and giving intravenous injections. He also spends time mentoring the younger sailors.

“HM3 Daniele is very helpful. He doesn’t mind mentoring us and he’s very knowledgeable. He’s really good to work for,” said Seaman Walter Ordonez, battalion aid station corpsman from Katy, Texas. “When people need help, he’s there for them.”

• Date Taken: 04.25.2012
• Date Posted: 04.25.2012 00:05
• Story ID: 87273
• Location: MUSA QA’LEH DISTRICT CENTER, AF
• Hometown: WOODSTOCK, GA, US