Staunton Native Provides Medical Readiness From The Pacific Northwest

By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Hospitalman Douglas Harper, a native of Staunton, Ill., serves the U.S. Navy at Navy Medicine Readiness Training Unit (NMRTU) Bangor.

Harper is a 2020 graduate of Staunton High School. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Staunton.

"I was a manager at my last job and that taught me how to be a leader, how to schedule things properly and how to work around negative situations," said Harper. "Those lessons are valuable because there are a lot of things that can go wrong in the navy and it is important because as you start picking up rank, you will be placed in more leadership positions.”

Harper joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Harper serves as a hospital corpsman.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to do more with my life,” said Harper. “I was also tired of working the job I had and I didn’t want to complete more schooling.”

Navy Medicine Readiness Training Unit Bangor, which provides medical and dental care primarily to active duty members from all military branches, 21 submarine commands and several hundred tenant commands assigned under Navy Region Northwest, supports the mission to provide superior shore station support to the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard forces, while ensuring quality of life for sailors, Marines, and their families.

With 90 percent 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 U.S. is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

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

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Harper has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I am proud of helping patients,” said Harper. “I just want to be able to go out there and make a difference. If I can make their lives better, then I did my job.”

Harper can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means that I have laid a good foundation for the rest of my life,” added Harper.

Harper is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I want to thank my fiance, Carissa Scheldt, for helping me throughout boot camp and for supporting me throughout my Navy career,” added Harper.