September 2010 Navy
HM1 (SCW) Shalanda L. Brewer – Navy Reserve
Petty Officer Shalanda L. Lavon Brewer was born in St. Louis, MO on 5 May 1981. She graduated from Hazelwood Central High School in 1999. Immediately after graduation, she enlisted in the United States Navy and attended boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes (Division 279). Upon completion of Basic Recruit Training, she attended Yeoman “A” School in Meridian, MS, graduating 4th in her class. She then served as the order writer for shipboard inspectors at Afloat Training Group Pacific, San Diego, CA. As the ALPO and also as the passport agent, she expedited over 500 passports for her battalion during post- 9/11, achieving Seabee Combat Warfare Qualification for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE, Gulfport, MS.
After finishing her tour with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion in 2003, she affiliated with the U.S. Navy Reserve in St. Louis, MO. Her first assignment was NR Unit FISC Yokosuka. While in the Navy Reserve, she attended Barnes- Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health and obtained her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology.
In 2007, she cross-rated to Hospital Corpsman, then transferred to OHSU Camp Lejuene, Det E., serving as the LPO for the Physical Health Assessments section. In her civilian occupation, she is a Radiologic Technologist at DePaul Level 1 Trauma Hospital as well as St. Luke’s Urgent Care Center in St. Louis. For the past 12 months, she has been mobilized in support of the Navy Expeditionary Medical Unit mission in Landstuhl, Germany.
Her decorations and honors include:
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal (two awards).
HM1 (SW/AW) Ingrid J. Cortez – US Fleet Forces Hospital Corpsman First Class Ingrid
J. Cortez was born on 9 September 1977 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. In 1982, she and her family migrated to the United States and made a home in Yonkers, New York. She is a 1995 graduate of Charles E. Gorton High School. In September of 1995, she enlisted in the United States Navy and reported to Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes for Recruit Training.
After Recruit Training, Petty Officer Cortez reported to the USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) as an undesignated Seaman and served onboard from 1996-1997. After GUNSTON HALL, she attended HM “A” School and received follow on orders to USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served as “Baby Doc” and earned the title of “Plank Owner.” While onboard DONALD COOK, she advanced to Third Class and Second Class prior to transferring in January of 2000. Her next assignment was as Leading Petty Officer, Physical Exams Department, Branch Medical Clinic, Dam Neck, Virginia from 2000-2002. In February of 2003, she was selected for a special duty assignment as a Recruiter to Naval Recruiting District, San Antonio, Texas, from 2003- 2005. In July of 2005, she was meritoriously advanced to HM1 under the Recruiter Excellence Incentive Program.
After recruiting duty, she attended Medical Laboratory Technician “C” School at Thomas Nelson Community College where she graduated Cum Laude with an AA in Laboratory Sciences. Her first assignment as a Lab Technician was at Branch Health Clinic, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, where she served as the lab’s Assistant Leading Petty Officer and Clinical Coordinator. After a year of working in the lab, she was hand-selected to be the Clinic’s Command Career Counselor and earned the 9588 NEC as a Navy Career Counselor. After her tour, she reported to USS BATAAN (LHD 5) where she serves as the Medical Department Leading Petty Officer. Petty Officer Cortez has qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five).
Petty Officer Cortez has two sons, Jerry and Benjamin, who reside with her in her home in Virginia Beach, VA.
CTT1 (SW/AW) Cassandra L. Foote – CNO Shore
Petty Officer Cassandra L. Foote hails from Vergennes, Vermont. After graduating high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in February 2001 through the Delayed Entry Program, and began training at RTC Great Lakes, IL in June 2001. Upon completion of Basic Recruit Training, she reported to training for Electronic Warfare “A” School in Pensacola, FL.
Her first duty assignment was USS WINSTON CHURCHILL (DDG 81), Norfolk, VA. Her next assignment was aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CV 69) as an Electronic Warfare Module Manager and Leading Petty Officer from 2003-2006. Her follow-on orders brought her to CID Detachment Corry Station as an OPELINT Instructor. During her tour, Petty Officer Foote volunteered for an Individual Augmentee position and deployed with SOCCENT to Qatar from 2007-2008. Upon return to Corry Station, she became the Leading Petty Officer for the Navy Military Training battalions and staff division.
Petty Officer Foote is currently serving as the D33/D33C8 Leading Petty Officer at the Center for Information Dominance Detachment Corry Station, Pensacola, FL.
Petty Officer Foote’s personal awards include Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.
Petty Officer Foote currently resides in Pensacola, FL, with her son Adyson-7.
OS1 (SW) Samira McBride – Commander, Pacific Fleet
Petty Officer McBride, a native of Chad, Africa, enlisted in the United States Navy in September 1999. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, IL, she attended OS “A” School in Dam Neck, VA.
Petty Officer McBride reported to USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) where she served as an Antisubmarine Tactical Air Controller (ASTAC). Additionally, she served out-of-rate as the only Arabic linguist during GONZALEZ deployment to the Persian Gulf, contributing to the safe execution of 38 VBSS missions in direct support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
In July 2005, she transferred from USS LABOON (DDG 58) to Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU 4) where she served as Operations Department Executive Assistant, assisting the Operations Officer in all facets of operational planning, training, maintenance, funding and execution of over 7001 maritime prepositioning force research and development missions during nine inner work-up cycles and six Expeditionary Strike Group deployments. Additionally, she served as Commander, Naval Beach Group TWO French linguist. Using her linguistic skills, she trained well deck personnel from the Naval French Vessel BPC TONERRE in all facets of landing craft air cushion (LCAC) and landing craft utility (LCU) operations.
In October 2008, Petty Officer McBride reported to USS LASSEN (DDG 82) as ASTAC and assumed the role of OI Division Leading Petty Officer. She flawlessly controlled aircraft from two HLS squadrons, two Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships over 700 incident free hours.
Her decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (two awards) and various service and campaign awards.