Lieutenant Olivia Richmond in her sixth year serving in the US Navy — by Bill Lee

During her junior year at West Catholic High School in Grand Rapids, former Lowell resident Olivia Richmond started to have interest in being a nurse as a profession. She decided that first-hand knowledge would be best so she spent a week shadowing her aunt (who is a nurse) down at Nashville’s Veterans Hospital. The experience would change her life and give her purpose. “I saw all the veterans that they took care of,” said Olivia Richmond. “The idea of caring for active-duty service members was what really got me hooked on joining the military as a nurse.”

After graduating high school in 2016, she enrolled at Marquette University in Milwaukee and joined the Naval ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) and majored in nursing. In 2020 during her senior year at Marquette, her goals hit a slight snag: the Covid Pandemic. The transition was interesting to say the least. “For nursing school, we didn’t have in-person clinicals in the last semester and when I checked into my first command at a hospital in Virginia, it was very messy to figure out the check-in process and also with the masks,” said Richmond. “I think everything was so uncertain. It was an adjustment period.”

After Virginia, Richmond was stationed in Okinawa, Japan at the island’s only military hospital, caring for over 100,000 military personnel in the Marines and Air Force and their dependents. It was a 2-year experience that she will never forget. “It was very life changing for me on a personal and military level,” said Richmond. “Immersing myself in the Japanese culture was different, but it was also the furthest I’ve ever been from home — just learning how to be more independent,” said Richmond. “I was also able to travel to a few countries — South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.” One of the biggest things she noticed about the Japanese culture was how nice and respectful everyone was. “When you interact with them, they will bow to you as a way of saying thank you,” said Richmond. “They are just very nice people.”

After returning to Lowell from Japan only three weeks ago, her biggest adjustment coming back to the US had to do with driving. In Okinawa, the fastest speed limit is 50 mph. “People are very respectful to even how they drive,” said Richmond. “They’re very kind and let people go ahead of them.” In her last few weeks here in Michigan Richmond said, “I’ve gotten honked at quite a bit and the speed has gotten to me a few times.”

Now a lieutenant in the Navy, Richmond has enjoyed her time back in Lowell visiting her family, but admits that she is ready for her new venture which will be in Oceanside, CA for the next two years at the US Marine Base, Camp Pendleton. She will be a part of a battalion made up of medical personnel and will be working with the Marines for the next two years. If there is a Marine deployment, the Navy might have to deploy some medical folks but right now she will be at Camp Pendleton.

Olivia Richmond is not sure what she will do after her two years in California. She plans on taking it one assignment at a time, but for now, she is excited for her new placement. She left on September 15.

So far her time in the US Navy has suited her and has taught her many valuable lessons and given her some excellent experiences. “I think I would encourage serving in the military,” said Richmond. “There is the component of feeling the pride of serving your country. Also, it gives so much structure to your life. It develops habits that you could easily use if you decide to get out including discipline, teamwork, and time management. Aside from just serving your country, I think the military does develop certain characteristics in you that are lifelong. Also, the military supports you even if you decide to get out.”

The Ledger wishes Lieutenant Richmond the best in California and thanks her for her service.