Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Katherine Wloczewski, a native of Reading, helps medical forces meet readiness, training and operational requirements across a spectrum of military operations while serving with Naval Medical Forces Atlantic at the Naval Medical Center military treatment facility in Portsmouth, Va., the Navy’s oldest continuously operating hospital, according to an announcement issued by the Navy.
Wloczewski, a 2016 Reading High School graduate, joined the Navy six years ago. Today she serves as a yeoman.
Skills and values similar to those found in Reading have served her well in the military.
“I learned my work ethic from my father,” Wloczewski said. “I have him to thank for how well I am doing so far. Having a strong work ethic in the Navy is important because everything is so fast paced that it is easy to get behind. A strong work ethic helps you keep up.”
These lessons have helped Wloczewski while serving in the Navy.
“My proudest Navy accomplishment is qualifying as a master helmsman at my first command,” she said. “I am proud of that because we are the main people to drive the ship during evolutions such as refueling at sea. We have a 100-yard gap between the ship and the other oiler. You have to keep your heading as perfect as possible, or you will hit the other ship.”
“I just like serving in the Navy,” she added. “Before I couldn’t imagine myself doing it but now I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
Source: Berkshire mont