Promoting excellence.

“I need somebody with a real positive, go-for-it attitude. Why don’t you come to my unit?” This is what a Marine Corps Battalion Surgeon recently said to Ron at a Naval Commanding Officer’s conference they both attended.

Ron took the surgeon up on his offer, and he now serves directly under him as the Hospital Corpsman Chief for a Marine Corps infantry unit. In his civilian life, Ron works as a firefighter-paramedic for a suburban fire department.

According to Ron, his duties for the fire department are very similar to his duties in the Navy Reserve. “The main difference,” Ron explains, “is that in the Reserve, I’m a Chief Petty Officer (CPO), which means I have anywhere from 50 to 60 medical personnel under me at all times.” Ron says that he really enjoys the “managing people” aspect of his military career and points out that it is something he doesn’t necessarily have the opportunity to do in the civilian world.

“Once you’re a firefighter-paramedic, that’s kind of it,” says Ron. “The opportunity for advancement isn’t as prevalent as it is on the military side of things.” As Ron tells it, advancing in rank is something he’s very interested in pursuing.

“I plan to make Senior Chief next,” he says. “And after that, Master Chief. Then who knows, if I decide to utilize my educational benefits and get an advanced degree, I could be in the running for Command Master Chief or maybe even the Force Master Chief of the Reserve — the top Enlisted rank in the Navy Reserve.”

In order to facilitate his next promotion, Ron recently attended Navy management school in San Diego. “At this school, we learned all about how to work with people, how to lead and motivate them, and how to manage and make the best use of your time,” he explains. “And it’s not just as it applies to the military — I’m learning things that will help me in my civilian job and, for that matter, my whole life as well.”

Aside from all the conferences, classes and training, Ron strongly believes that the entire “military experience” prepares you to succeed in life no matter what career or course you pursue. “When I joined the Navy, 19 years ago, you could say I was a little unfocused and undisciplined. Now, I count organization, problem solving and time management as some of my greatest assets. And these are things I really need, because in addition to serving in the Navy Reserve and working full-time for the fire department, I also run my own small business.”

When he has free time, Ron enjoys the outdoors. He lists camping, hiking, mountain biking and scuba diving among his many hobbies.

Ron lives in the Central United States.