Armitage, Jim, LCDR

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was 18 and couldn't afford to go to college. I had a friend join the year before and he was digging it. I thought it would be a great place to start living life and it's worked out for the good so far!

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined in 1995 as a Corpsman. Went to Field Med School. I was an 8404 HM with the Marines. I went to Okinawa where I worked in the ER at the hospital and with III MEF. Then I went to college while on Okinawa the first time, applied to grad school to become a PA and the Navy sent me to school for 2 years. I was commissioned in 2006. Then back to Okinawa where I worked at the hospital again for 3 years. I am now with the Marines again at 3d Med Bn. A few deployments here and there during all that too.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
OIF, TQ Iraq. Worked at the Surgical Shock Trauma Platoon 2008.
OEF, Delaram Afghanistan, 2/7 Medical Officer, 2008.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
While at 1st Marine Division did a WesPac on the USS Juneau LPD-10 and that was pretty cool. Getting to be on a ship for 6 months and visiting a lot of different countries. Also, my first tour as a medical provider was pretty interesting.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Feb 2008, my daughter being born 10 hours before leaving for Iraq.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Enlisted FMF qualification. Knowing that I was proficient as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman while being stationed with a Marine unit is a big point of pride. It felt good to wear it in my Officer uniforms too. Kinda showed the junior people how to kick ass it is to be a Mustang :)

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Honestly too many, but I will say that it was then HM1 (now retired Chief) LB Reese. He was my first SMDR at 1st Mar Div.

Also, HMCS Mark Kane (retired), my Chief while I was the LPO in the ER at USNH Okinawa. I am still friends with him today here on Oki.

Of course a number of medical providers and nurses that I worked closely within the ER.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
I left Okinawa for school in 2004 as an E5. I came back in 2006 as an O2. When walking through the hospital in civilian clothes someone called my HM2 Armitage. She was pretty shocked/embarrassed when I told her. We both had a good laugh.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I'm the Battalion Surgeon for 3d Medical Battalion here on the beautiful island of Okinawa Japan. Great duty station for travel. In 1.5 years I've been to the Philippines 3 times, Cambodia twice and Thailand once. More still to go!

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Okinawa's Medical Service Corps Association and my unit's wardroom.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The service had made me appreciated friends and family so much more. You make friends that last a lifetime even if one of you moves after 2-3 years to another duty station. The Navy has afforded me the chance to have a career that I can take with me after I retire.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
First thanks!

As for advice; I believe that you get what you give Also, anything worth doing isn't going to be easy. Give it all you got!

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It's a great source of information and advice. Also, a group of people that you can share things with who "get you" and understand through a common bond. Great way to connect and reconnect with people from previous duty stations as well.

DS 6/26/17