Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Magen F Reed | 170423-N-KD168-033 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 30, 2017) Hospitalman...... read more read more
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As a child in Houston, Hospitalman Drew Aligsao grew up surrounded by physical therapists. Everyone in his immediate family was involved in the profession.
After graduating high school, Aligsao spent a year in college, knowing he wanted to carry on his family legacy, but didn’t know how he would accomplish it.
“I knew I wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps,” he said. “Everyone in my family is involved in physical therapy. Even my younger brother is going to college for it.”
After his time in school he decided his path would take him into the Navy and he enlisted as a hospital corpsman.
“Corpsmen are the [enlisted] medical professionals for the Navy and Marine Corps,” said Aligsao. “They do so much for the Navy. Lab work, eye exams, dental exams, x-rays, even psychiatric help. There are so many specialties and schools the Navy will send you to.“
Many young people join the military to eventually have their college education paid for. For some the Navy offers a jump-start to that Sailor’s desired career.
According to Aligsao his family had only two requests for him when transitioning from college to the military. His father wanted him to make sure he still went to school and his mother wanted him to stay with the medical field, if he could.
In an unexpected twist, the Navy was able to give him the skills to begin his journey as a physical therapist.
Four years later Aligsao has completed a tour of shore duty in Great Lakes, Ill., and is now stationed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5).
“I’m happy to be here on the ship,” he said. “I can finally get my warfare pins and be a part of something while still doing what I love. There’s a great feeling of community on the ship. We’re all in this together and working toward completing our mission.”
In the cool silence of the medical ward, he and the ship’s physical therapist assist patients every day. Dozens of Sailors flow one-by-one through the double doors into the large, softly lit room looking for help with any number of problems.
Neatly stored along the sides of the desk in the front of the room are containers of tension bands, weighted balls and other equipment to be taken out and used for whatever the patients’ needs may be.
At the end of every busy day, Aligsao said he sits amidst the scattered equipment, experiencing a peace which can only be attained through doing what he loves before resetting everything and preparing for tomorrow.
Bataan and its ready group are deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2017 09:01 |
| Story ID: | 235580 |
| Location: | U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Following The Family Legacy, by PO2 Magen F Reed, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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