SEAMAN Carlinton Smith, from Lewisville, St Elizabeth, serves the US Navy assigned to Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command (NMRLC), Williamsburg, Virginia.

Smith graduated from Lewisville High School in 2006. Additionally, Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Post University in 2023.

“As a child growing up in Jamaica, my mother always instilled in us that we should always stand for something, because if we don’t, we will fall for anything,” said Smith. “Today, my being a United States sailor means a lot to me and my family because we choose to stand for all that is true and upright for the society in which we are living.”

Smith joined the Navy five months ago.

“I joined the Navy mainly because I needed to gain the experience of what it is all about,” said Smith. “Over the years, I noticed that my son admired uniform personnel. Now that he is 12 years old, he’s started having conversations with me about how he wants to work with the United States military. Now, as a father who believes in leading by example, especially when it comes to the development of my children, I decided that I would switch career paths and join the United States Navy. For us, it is a family tradition thing to do.”

Today, Smith serves as a logistics specialist.

“What I like best about my job here in the Navy is that I am a part of an organisation that is dedicated to helping people from all walks of life,” said Smith. “My specific duty responsibilities as a logistics specialist have granted me the opportunity to work with the most disciplined men and women, not only within this command but throughout the world at large. Waking up in the morning and getting ready for work gives me great delight knowing that I am able to assist in making sure that the supplies needed are ready and available throughout the world to be utilised to ensure the safety not just of myself or my family only but for the entire planet.”

Headed by Captain Christopher Barnes, NMRLC develops, acquires, produces, fields, sustains, and provides enduring lifecycle support of medical material solutions to the fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. At the forefront of Navy Medicine’s strategic evolution, NMRLC is well positioned to be the Joint Force’s premier integrated medical logistics support activity.

Smith has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy was completing boot camp and ‘A’ school and being able to wear my uniform every day since,” said Smith. “It takes honour, courage, and great commitment thus, I am made proud each and every day of this noble organisation for which I work.”