Photo By Seaman Apprentice Christian Ligon | BREMERTON, Wash. (May 6, 2020) Chief Hospital Corpsman Samuel Karr, a native of...... read more read more
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BREMERTON, Wash. – Chief Hospital Corpsman Samuel Karr, a native of Beaverton, Oregon, is serving as the lead preventive medicine technician aboard Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). In addition to responding to shipboard medical emergencies, he is responsible for ensuring that the ship’s workplace environments are healthy and safe for all embarked personnel.
“In civilian terms, I would say that I am a paramedic, health inspector, and a little bit of quality assurance for safety,” said Karr.
After obtaining his GED from Aloha High School in 2000, Karr said his life felt directionless until, like so many of his fellow Americans, the terrorist attacks on September 11 gave him a purpose.
“I wanted to serve my country,” said Karr. “I wanted to do my part, and so I joined the Navy.”
Karr enlisted in the Navy in 2002, and he said that he chose to be a hospital corpsman because he wanted to help people. In the ensuing 17 years, Karr has served in naval hospitals, aboard Navy ships and with Marine Corps regiments.
Karr said that the loss of one of his Sailors in 2012 has shaped how he approaches a problem or difficult situation.
“With every encounter, every event, and every assignment I think about what we are doing to maximize our effectiveness to make sure everyone comes home,” said Karr. “I think past events have molded together and made me the Sailor and leader I am today.”
Karr has been busy applying the lessons he has learned as he spearheads the ship’s effort to combat COVID-19. His primary role during the pandemic has been to present ideas for policies to stop the spread of the disease. Many ideas that Karr has helped shape have already been implemented throughout the ship, including triaging potential COVID-19 patients over the phone and no-contact screening at a designated area on the pier.
Despite all of his hard work, Karr is quick to point out that he is not the only Sailor in this fight and that he shares the credit with everyone working to prevent and mitigate the virus. As the Navy combats COVID-19, seasoned leaders like Karr are doing everything they can to keep the virus at bay and make sure that the Navy always stands ready to defend America’s interests at home and abroad. Karr said that the support of his friends and family in Beaverton helps him to push forward.
“I am very proud to be from Beaverton, and I am very thankful for all the support I have received from my family and friends back home,” said Karr.
Karr earned a degree in political science and psychology from the University of Maryland in 2014. While in the Navy, his assignments included serving aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and a deployment to Iraq with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2020 22:58 |
| Story ID: | 371192 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Hometown: | BEAVERTON, OR, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beaverton Native Serves Aboard USS Carl Vinson in Bremerton, WA, by PO1 Matthew Fink, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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