Jean-Paul Koushel, US Navy

Jean-Paul was nominated by Kaitlin Koushel,

Jean-Paul joined the Navy almost 5 years ago and his first duty station was in Yokosuka, Japan. He did a lot of great work there, not only to support the mission of the Navy but to make everything he worked with more safe and efficient. He was forward deployed there for 3 years which means he went on countless underways, more than any Sailor stationed stateside would do in 3 years. He was in Yokosuka, Japan when both the USS Fitzgerald and the USS John S McCain were involved in collisions totaling the death of 17 sailors. He gave no second thought to immediately trying to render as much aid as he could manage to his fellow sailors. When the Fitzgerald limped back into port he helped relieve the crew by standing duty on their ship so they could get not only much needed time for R & R but also the medical care they so dearly needed after the tragedy that occurred on the ship during the collision. He also helped prepare the ship for the repairs it so desperately needed. He is now currently serving the Navy at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth here in Virginia. Despite being in the Navy only five years, he has already advanced to E-6, He gives amazing attention to detail to all work he does and is always trying to improve anything within his power. He works so very hard at his job, both in Japan and here in Virginia. In Japan, on the handful of days that he was actually in port, he would be at work before the sun rose and get home after it had set regularly, any day he made it home before sunset was a particularly special treat. I have known few other men who put so much time and care in to their work. He is a devoted Sailor and husband and his wife, dog and guinea pigs adore him.