U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (July 1, 2018) – “You guys are the Marines’ doctors; there’s no better in the business than Navy Corpsmen,” said Lt. Gen. Lewis B. ‘Chesty’ Puller to his corpsmen during the Korean War.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kevin O’neal Reynard Jr., a health service support corpsman known as ‘doc’ by the Marines and Sailors of Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, is always ready to help his fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms and strives each day to live up to Puller’s reverence of corpsmen.
“I have a passion for customer service and for serving others in the medical field,” said Reynard. “I had an interest in helping other at an early age and even though I grew up poor and had limited opportunities, the military has allowed me to achieve my dreams.”
One of those dreams came true when Reynard walked across the stage during his graduation ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in May 2018 to accept his Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences degree from the American Military University.
“I actually came back to work still wearing my cap and gown,” said Reynard. “Everyone was happy for me and wanted to shake my hand. It made me feel proud and it was inspiring to only be at this command for a short period of time and have staff support me in my accomplishment. Words cannot describe how good that felt.”
Reynard also serves as a medical liaison between the command and the U.S. Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain to help teach classes, book appointments and track the command’s medical readiness and injury reports.
“One of my most important tasks is managing and updating the medical readiness report list,” said Reynard. “I am an organized person and I enjoy being able to properly organize and present information. I love interacting with people and helping them with their medical and personal issues.”
A Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist and nine-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, Reynard’s previous assignments include Naval Branch Health Clinic Belle Chasse, Louisiana; Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. When not at work, he dedicates his free time to the pursuit of an Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist pin and earning a Bachelor of Heath Sciences degree.
For more information about TF 51/5 visit our website www.TF515.marines.mil or subscribe to our DVIDS page www.dvidshub.net/unit/5MEB contact TF 51/5 Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sandra Arnold at Sandra.arnold@me.usmc.mil or Marine Capt. Monica Witt at Monica.witt@me.usmc.mil.