Petty Officer 3rd Class Roberto Valdez, a Goodyear native and 2017 graduate of Estrella Foothills High School, has been named Junior Sailor of the Quarter while serving with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Sigonella in Italy.

The award recognizes enlisted sailors in the E-4 pay grade who demonstrate superior performance, leadership, and professionalism.

“Valdez is an outstanding sailor rewarded for the work and sacrifices he has made and for his potential to be a future Navy leader,” said Lt. Fremmy Cuadra, Emergency Department division officer. “Selflessness and camaraderie are distinguished attributes that… Valdez brings to our… team.” 

Valdez credits his upbringing in Goodyear for shaping his character and career.

“I was taught how to be disciplined, humble and caring by my parents, and that has made me the person I am today,” Valdez said.

He joined the Navy nearly seven years ago after initially considering the Marine Corps.

“I wanted to join the Marines at first because I wanted to do grunt (or) infantry stuff,” Valdez said. “Then, one of my friends from high school recommended that I become a hospital corpsman so I could do grunt (or) infantry stuff and save lives.”

Now serving as a hospital corpsman, Valdez takes pride in training others and providing medical care at the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, is a community hospital in Sicily, Italy. The command includes a satellite clinic and two branch health clinics in Bahrain and Souda Bay, serving approximately 8,500 active-duty personnel, family members, NATO personnel, and retirees. 

“I love teaching Tactical Combat Casualty Care to other service members and providing medical care to patients in the Emergency Department,” Valdez said.

 Valdez said that military service is a source of deep personal pride.

“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” Valdezsaid. “I want to deploy or go on missions, and I want to make a difference and be able to help other service members.”

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