MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaac Boles, a student at West Virginia University, is serving the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Sigonella, Italy.

Boles is working on their master’s degree and is expected to graduate from West Virginia University in 2025. After completing their master’s degree, Boles plans to commission as an officer.

Boles joined the Navy six years ago.

“ I initially wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but after dropping out during training, I ended up striking for the rate of hospital corpsman, the most decorated rate in the Navy,” Boles said. “I have great honor serving in a rate that has such a rich history.”

As a hospital corpsman, Boles is responsible for providing medical care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.

“I am the primary suitability screening coordinator and I enjoy making the process of moving smoother for service members,” said Boles. “It’s already a stressful time, and I enjoy getting to share the good news with sailors and their family members that they are suitable to continue serving overseas. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I also love the people I work beside.”

“HM2 Boles is a motivated go-getter who has had a consistent track record of being a major force multiplier for the command,” Lt. j.g. Nicholas Kirsh, patient administration division officer at USNMRTC Sigonella, said. “As the command’s operational overseas screening coordinator, HM2 Boles has the unique opportunity to work directly with medical providers and active-duty service members who are transferring to and from Sigonella. He ensures that service members and their family’s medical needs can be met when moving to new duty stations. He has constantly exceeded in his role and is a true asset to the command and the Navy.”

USNMRTC Sigonella/Naval Hospital Sigonella is a community hospital located in the heart of the Mediterranean in Sicily, Italy. Comprised of a local satellite clinic and two branch health clinics located in Bahrain and Souda Bay, USNMRTC Sigonella’s staff of 387 serves approximately 8,500 active duty, family members, NATO members, retirees and other beneficiaries based on international collaborations and status of forces agreements.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Boles serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

Boles has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am proud of being deployed on the USNS Comfort to New York City in support of the mission against COVID-19 and working in the ICU,” Boles said. “Shortly after arriving in Sigonella, Italy, I also worked as an EMT in support of Operation Allied Refuge during the 2021 Taliban offensive. However, I am most proud of being someone that others want to work beside. People are the Navy’s most valuable assets.

Boles can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy is my honor and privilege,” Boles said. “It puts me in a position to help others and love them well. The opportunities I have had have literally taken me around the globe. It’s amazing for me and my family to get to serve our country. I couldn’t serve in the way I do without the support of my incredible wife. She means the world to me and I hope I always serve in a way that makes her proud.”