Out of nearly 600 enlisted Sailors onboard, only one can earn Blue Jacket of the Year (BJOY). This award goes out to those who overcome challenges and demonstrate their expertise in their field. In 2023, a Houston native earned this honor aboard 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
Roman Gomez is a Hospital Corpsman (HM) 3rd Class forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. HMs assist healthcare professionals in providing medical care to Navy personnel and their families. A standard working day for him consists of completing teeth cleanings, ordering necessities for the work center and attending medical Naval Enlisted Classification (NEC) training.
Gomez arrived at Blue Ridge as an E-2 and, from the very beginning, was always a go-getter. Gomez’s motivation found guidance when he met his mentor, HM2 Kodjovi Yovo, a former Blue Ridge Sailor and Junior Sailor of the Year winner.
“He showed me every door I needed to take to advance in my career,” said Gomez. “He would assign me all sorts of things and tell me about opportunities to participate within the command.”
In addition to being proficient in his rate, Gomez holds multiple collateral duties, including work center supervisor (WCS), repair parts petty officer (RPPO), flight deck corpsman, tobacco sensation coordinator, CPR instructor, and Junior Sailor Association master at arms.
Gomez never thought he would be selected as Blue Jacket of the Quarter, a prerequisite for BJOY, after looking at the grading sheet. Though he did not feel he was competitive, Yovo submitted his package without his awareness. Gomez credits his mentor’s belief in him as the foundation of the Sailor he has become.
“If he did not believe in me and submit the package, I would not have become BJOQ or BJOY,” said Gomez.
Yovo showed him the pathway to success by encouraging him to obtain collaterals, volunteer, and get involved in the command through the Junior Sailor Association, which set him up to accomplish his main goal.
Gomez aimed to become a Petty Officer 3rd class since joining in 2020, which seemed unreachable due to HM's notoriously low advancement rate. Progressing from E-1 to E-3 occurs naturally with time in service, but joining the ranks of Petty Officer is a challenge. In 2022, Gomez earned his chevrons after months of studying and preparation.
“My proudest moment was making third,” said Gomez. “I worked so hard for so long that it was really gratifying to earn it.”
Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and, as 7th Fleet command ship, routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
For more information about USS Blue Ridge, visithttps://www.surfpac.navy.mil/lcc19/Tag/198567/uss-blue-ridge