PENSACOLA, Fla. — Sailors in today’s Navy are not only highly-trained specialists but also exceptional athletes, often juggling demanding careers with their passion for sports. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Patsy Erwin, hailing from Anna, Texas, exemplifies this dual commitment. Since 2019, Erwin has been serving with dedication as a member of the All-Navy women’s softball team, showcasing her athletic prowess while fulfilling her critical role in the medical field.
Sailors with the skills to compete at a high level in team or individual sports are given the opportunity to represent the Navy through the Navy Sports Program. Erwin, who is currently stationed at Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) in Florida, where she serves as a surgical technologist and leading petty officer, balances her medical duties with her role as team captain on the softball field.
“Training can be a lot of work,” said Erwin. “I play a lot, which means I’m on the ball field most weekends when I’m not at the hospital or in the operating room.”
Chief Hospital Corpsman Lisette Cadiente, NHP’s leading chief petty officer for Ancillary Services, commended Erwin’s ability to excel both in the operating room and on the field. “She works closely with medical personnel and stays calm under intense pressures,” Cadiente noted. “Similarly, on the softball field, she excels through coordination and support of her teammates, and Erwin meets this challenge with determination and athleticism to perform at the highest level in sports.”
Erwin’s love for softball began at the age of four, continuing through college and even into the Women’s Professional Fastpitch softball league before she joined the Navy. “Softball has been a huge part of my life, and I think the heart that I can bring is a big aspect,” Erwin said. “You can teach talent, but you can’t teach heart.”
With plans to continue developing the Navy’s softball program before retiring, Erwin is committed to fostering a championship environment, supported by her family and teammates who have been her biggest supporters throughout her journey.
“I feel my decision to play has impacted my life in more ways than I can count,” said Erwin. “There’s no true way to explain what my military softball family means to me that I will forever cherish.”
During the 2024 season, Erwin led her Navy team to victory in several tournaments, culminating in a gold medal win at the Armed Forces tournament in Oklahoma City for the third consecutive year. Erwin, along with selected players, will represent the U.S. Armed Forces team at the Amateur Softball Association National Championship.
Reflecting on her experiences, Erwin said, “Hands down [softball has] been the highlight of my career. We fight on that field against each other. At the end of the day, it’s like we are all family.”
Established in 1826, NHP is one of the oldest military medical facilities in the United States, with a long history of providing healthcare to military personnel and their families. Today, NHP operates as an outpatient surgical center with 10 branch health clinics, serving over 150,000 beneficiaries with a dedicated staff of approximately 1,600 military and civilian personnel.
Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Pensacola and NHP continue to deliver high-quality healthcare to warfighters and beneficiaries, ensuring a medically ready force through strategic integration, innovation, and the dedication of well-trained personnel like Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Patsy Erwin.
