Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the accomplishments of our Hispanic Sailors and staff. This month, NSMRL is spotlighting Lt. Galo Barrezueta, deputy department head for the Operations Department.
Barrezueta’s Navy story began in 2007, when he enlisted as a hospital corpsman shortly after graduating high school in New Jersey. He was searching for a career that would offer him the opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself.
“I joined because I was searching for a better opportunity for me and my family,” said Barrezueta. “The Navy offered so many enticing opportunities. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Over his 13 years as an enlisted Sailor, Barrezueta took advantage of many such opportunities. He started on a path towards hospital administration with a bachelor’s degree in 2012 and his first master’s degree in 2019. He briefly left the Navy in 2020, after being waitlisted for the Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP), but only a few short months after separating, the Navy called him back to ask if he was still interested in becoming an officer.
Barrezueta was thrilled to rejoin the Navy.
“When I separated, I worked in the public sector at a clinic, which was fine, but wasn’t really the same,” said Barrezueta. “The comradery and the relationships I’d had in the Navy just weren’t there. It was a 9-5, and when five hit, everyone went home. There was no working together towards a mission, and no one was really willing to help each other. That was the main thing I missed about the military. The ability to work towards one goal and one mission.”
Through the HSCP, Barrezueta received his second master’s degree in healthcare administration, and commissioned in 2022. He is excited to also join the Association of Hispanic Naval Officers (ANSO), an initiative founded in 1981 by Eduardo Hidalgo, the first Secretary of the Navy of Hispanic descent. ANSO is dedicated to supporting Hispanics and Latinos across all ranks and career milestones (recruitment, retention, promotion).
“Influencing the next generation is key and that’s why I’m excited to join ANSO,” stated Barrezueta. “I’ve talked to many kids with similar backgrounds to mine, and sharing my experiences so they can be better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the Navy offers. One of my childhood friends, for example, has a daughter who was going to enlist, but based on her grades and personality, I encouraged her to join the ROTC at her college, and now she’s going through that program and is doing great.”
Barrezueta and his family moved to New Jersey from Ecuador when he was 10 years old, which has given him a deep appreciation for the Hispanic and American cultures, although he sometimes finds it difficult to explain how he embraces both.
“I love having the opportunity to share both my cultures, Hispanic and American,” Barrezueta said. “Sometimes I have to explain why I do things differently, and it’s because I have such a different perspective, as someone from two distinct cultures. For example, I grew up loving football [soccer] in Ecuador, but after coming to the U.S., I am also obsessed with baseball. It’s easy for me to appreciate and enjoy both, but I often find myself having to explain why I love each, because if you didn’t grow up in that culture, you don’t understand.”
To Barrezueta, it is important that the Navy continue celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as other diversity celebrations throughout each year.
“Ultimately, our country is built on diversity, which is our biggest strength,” said Barrezueta. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with other Services, and you can see our strength when we go into other countries and we have people who speak those different languages and are able to communicate with the locals. Not just Hispanics, but all different cultures. It’s important that our Navy reflect the diversity of our country.”
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration in the United States that honors the contributions and cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino Americans. It is observed from September 15 to October 15. This year’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
NSMRL, part of Naval Medical Research & Development, and based out of Groton, Connecticut, sustains the readiness and superiority of undersea warfighters through innovative health and performance research and works to lead the world in delivering science solutions to ensure undersea warrior dominance.