Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi names Sailors of the Quarter

Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi announced its Sailors of the Quarter for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019.

HM1 Raul M. Cervantes, of Yoakum, Texas, Senior Sailor of the Quarter; HM2 David B. Butler, of Munford, Tennessee, Sailor of the Quarter; HM3 Alec Bushong, of San Antonio Detachment, Junior Sailor of the Quarter; and HN Dominic Briones, of Apple Valley, California, Blue Jacket of the Quarter, were named over the clinic’s public address system, as well as in an all hands email from Capt. Miguel A. Cubano, commanding officer, Feb. 11.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the selectees. Please congratulate them for a job well done,” said Cubano.

The most junior Sailor was surprised.

“When learning I was selected I was excited as well as relieved to hear the good news because the other nominees were also outstanding Sailors and I had tough competition,” said Briones, a medical laboratory technician at NHC Corpus Christi.

Briones enlisted in Navy in August 2016, and reported to Corpus Christi for duty in September 2018.

He plans to compete in the Navy-wide Enlisted Advancement Examination (Cycle 243) March 21.

His advice to other prospective SOQs is to “be well-rounded and use your chain of command.”

The senior Sailor serves as the Medical Home Port leading petty officer, and he is no stranger to board interviews.

“I have been privileged to compete in previous Sailor of the Quarter boards and Sailor of the Year boards,” said Cervantes.

“I have learned to gain confidence in myself and owning the room. It is easy to build a strong SOQ package and maintain an inspection-ready uniform but it is a little difficult to remember the innumerable changes in Navy policies, uniform regulations, and the ever changing current affairs situations around the world. So it is important to stay informed in broad strokes.”

Cervantes is a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) hopeful, and he advises would-be SOQs to, “build your repertoire, be consistent in what you do and most importantly be confident in yourself.”

Sailors selected for SOQ inspire others.

Butler and has been in the Navy for over eight years, and as the command career counselor he leverages his position to influence other Sailors.

“Because of my job, my mind goes to retention,” said Butler. “If the SOQs aren’t good role models, young Sailors will have no one to look up to. SOQs, and leaders in general, have to inspire others by demonstrating that hard work will pay off. If hard work is never rewarded, Sailors will become familiar with Glassdoor and Indeed.com, and the Navy will be left wanting.”

Butler continues to work diligently with the Career Development Team to win the FY18 Retention Excellence Award pennant.

That success will mean a third consecutive pennant for the Command.

To earn SOQ status, candidates must demonstrate an unmistakable pattern of daily leadership.

According to Cervantes, that means always putting yourself out front for others to emulate.

“Setting the example by being the example! It is simple to tell other people what they need to do to get ahead in their careers, personal lives, and professional development,” Cervantes said. “But how often do juniors see leaders do the same? Talk the talk and walk the walk!

NHC Corpus Christi and its Naval Branch Health Clinic Fort Worth and Naval Branch Health Clinic Kingsville provide ambulatory care services to over 13,000 enrolled beneficiaries comprised of military active duty, their family members, retirees and their family members in South Texas and Dallas/Fort Worth.

In addition, NHC Corpus Christi San Antonio Detachment provides primary care services to our Navy students at the Medical Education & Training Campus (METC) at Fort Sam Houston, and case management services and medical board management to our Navy and Marine Corps Wounded, Ill and Injured Warriors (WII) at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC).