Groton - Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SS) Juan Camachocalderon, assigned to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) at the Naval Submarine Base was chosen June's Service Person of the Month for the Waterford Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

Camachocalderon, a native of Los Angeles, has served in the Navy since 2003 and as Toledo's Independent Duty Corpsman is the sole medical professional permanently assigned to the submarine crew, managing the medical care and needs of some 150 personnel.

Camachocalderon is also the leader of Toledo's first class petty officer association. As Toledo's Qualifications Petty Officer, he coaches and guides all new crew members as they pursue watch standing and professional qualifications. In the community, he coaches and mentors 12 eight-year-olds in the fundamentals of baseball in the Norwich Little League.

Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Joseph Wilt, chief of the boat for Toledo, praised his dedication.

"Petty Officer Camachocalderon is who we count on when we're out in the middle of nowhere and someone gets sick," said Wilt. "He's involved in every single program aboard our boat, supporting junior sailors. His medical duties, while a big responsibility, are only a fraction of what he does on a daily basis… He's seen as a leader and someone people can trust and go to for advice. He does a phenomenal job."

During the luncheon, Camachocalderon thanked the service club and acknowledged the benefits of leading and mentoring.

"I didn't realize until I came to the submarine community what it means to be a submariner and a sailor, and the brotherhood that really exists in the Navy," Camachocalderon said. "I try my best to help every junior sailor that I can; someone did it for me when I was in their shoes. I love the submarine community and the sense of family here in eastern Connecticut, and I'm humbled by this recognition."

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