MADISON – E-5 Danielle Wilson served as a Corpsman aboard the USNS Comfort during Operation Enduring Freedom in New York City after 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“It is during this time where I truly learned about compassion, heartbreak and what is truly important in life — which is not the material things money can buy, but human life and sacrifice,” she said.

“I learned to appreciate life and be proud of being an American and serving my country,” Wilson said.

She entered Boot Camp in January 2000 as an E-1. She left the Navy as an E-5 in 2007.

Wilson attended Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Ill. “And, yes, I froze. I was born and raised in Orlando, Fla., and I completed my boot camp training in Great Lakes in January,” she said.

From 2000 to 2002, her 1st Duty Station was Bethesda, Md. as Medical Corpsman. Her 2nd Duty Station took her to Naval School of Health Science for training as a Surgical Technologist and later as a Urology Technician.

Next, Wilson was assigned to Camp Pendleton, Calif. as a Surgical Technician-Urology from 2003 to 2007. She then deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Wilson’s career goal has been and currently is to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Urology. “I’ve always had a helping heart. I started attending college while I was Active Duty at Palomar College in California and then attended Tidewater Community College at night while working full time and raising my son,” she said.

“I moved to Madison in April 2013 for an excellent job opportunity with Urology Specialists P.C. My current occupation is Urology Point Nurse,” Wilson said.

“I have seven siblings spread out throughout our country. I have three sisters in Altamonte, St. Cloud and Key West, Fla. and four brothers in Colorado, Michigan and Florida. Five of us have been in the military from the Navy, Army and National Guard,” she said.

“I am currently a single mom with two children, Lenny in sixth grade and Ava in kindergarten. Lenny is very active in football and basketball. This summer, his basketball team was in the playoffs in Atlanta,” Wilson said. “Ava is active in the world of pageants.”

Wilson often volunteers at her children’s school and for her son’s sports teams.

“I enjoy reading, although I spend the majority of my time caring for my two children and making memories with them,” she said.