Greenville Native Selected as Blue Ridge Junior Sailor of the Quarter

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Eaton | PHILIPPINE SEA (May 17, 2023) – Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Garrius Coleman, from Greenville, Alabama, poses for a photo in the medical ward of U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) May 17, 2023. Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy, and as 7th Fleet Command ship, actively works to foster allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sarah C. Eaton)  

JAPAN

07.07.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Eaton 

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

YOKOSUKA, Japan –A Greenville, Alabama native was selected as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Junior Sailor of the Quarter for 2nd Quarter fiscal year 2023 during an all-hands call held on the main deck March 21, 2023.
Garrius Coleman is a Hospital Corpsman (HM) 2nd Class forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. HM’s assist health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy personnel and their families. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and healthcare providers at medical treatment facilities.
“When I first received the award, I felt the emotions of pride and motivation,” said Coleman. “I strive to set a standard of excellence not only for myself but for all junior Sailors.”
Coleman attributes his success and accomplishments to his leadership and fellow corpsman in his department.
“Receiving the award is an acknowledgement of not only my hard work, but the support and time I received from my coworkers to help me grow and heal,” said Coleman. “To me, being a leader means being able to motivate people to complete the mission and maintain a healthy environment for their subordinates.”
Coleman has become a go-to technician and a trusted medical provider for his Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet shipmates.
“I enjoy being a subject matter expert on public health programs,” said Coleman. “Being a preventive medicine technician, I have authority approved by the commanding officer to enforce any protocols deemed fit to ensure the safety of the crew and mission.”
Arriving aboard Blue Ridge in February 2022 as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, Coleman has grown, not only as a Sailor but as an individual as well.
“I came to the Blue Ridge as an HM3 and I’m currently an HM2,” said Coleman. “I have grown significantly in my short time here and strive to continue growing. I have learned compassion of other rates besides my own, and true camaraderie among my shipmates.”
In addition to being proficient in his rate, Coleman holds multiple collateral duties, to include safety petty officer, hospital corpsman watch-bill coordinator, medical training team member, tactical combat casualty care course instructor, tuition assistance education petty officer, and departmental operational security manager.
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
For more information about USS Blue Ridge, visithttps://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lcc19/Tag/198567/uss-blue-ridge

• Date Taken: 07.07.2023
• Date Posted: 07.10.2023 01:04
• Story ID: 448674
• Location: JP