I was an 18-year old kid who had just graduated high school when I joined the U.S. Navy in 2001. The actual date of my bootcamp check was September 11, 2001. I was stationed on several naval vessels at Norfolk, Virginia. My first ship was a Destroyer Class ship called the USS Deyo. I had another six-month deployment on board an amphibious vessel in November 2004. I also worked at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth in its internal medicine ward until 2009 when I was honorably discharged after two four-year terms of service.

I chose NCC because of family recommendation. My sister-in-law attended NCC and was able to transition to the nursing program at Stony Brook University. She got her foundation at Nassau and speaks highly of it.  I quickly found the Veteran’s Affairs office on campus and became part of the Veteran Affairs’ work study program.

The experience I gained in my eight years of service not only helped me prepare for NCC but for everything else I do as well. I gained so much confidence in my craft as a paramedic. I worked in an emergency room as a technician and have furthered my knowledge in the field. I am continuing my journey in the medical field by finishing my prerequisites in for nursing and then will apply for the nursing program at the college.

My fondest memory at NCC would have to be last year’s Christmas party at the Veterans House. It was a great time spent with fellow veterans. We had food and drinks together and even played an exchange gifts program called White Elephant. It’s something I wouldn’t mind repeating in the near future.

Hospital Corpsman Veteran Joshua Bernardo

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