Job Title: Hospital Corpsman
Unit: Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point
Age: 21
Hometown: Shreveport, La.
Date Joined: Feb. 1, 2012
CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Growing up in Shreveport, La., Seaman Tony Lenard always knew his calling was to help people.
“I joined the Navy to get away from bad situations in my life,” said Lenard. “I joined to help people and do something good.”
Lenard studied biology and English in college, but after school did not go as planned, followed in his cousin’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy on Feb. 1, 2012.
Lenard, a corpsman at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Naval Health Clinic, works in the Military Home Port. He helps ensure all Cherry Point personnel are medically ready, taking vital signs, performing ear, nose and throat exams, drawing blood and giving vaccinations.
“On top of my daily duties as a corpsman, I have several collateral duties I have taken on,” he said. “Infection control, changing the sharps containers, maintaining hand sanitation stations, and sterilizing equipment are some of my duties.”
Lenard said his job is essential because not only does he help keep patients safe and healthy, but also fellow corpsmen and hospital workers.
“Helping people and knowing that you are making a difference makes it worth the work,” explained the 21-year-old.
Off duty, Lenard often volunteers around the air station and in the community.
“I volunteer for breast cancer walks, volleyball tournaments, committees and parading the colors,” he said. “Really anywhere that I can help make a difference, I will.”