U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas Thiede is

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas Thiede is a hospital corpsman with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, supporting Northern Viper, Aug. 11-28, 2017. His job is to render emergency and clinical care to U.S. Marines and Japanese Soldiers while training with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. Northern Viper is an exercise held to strengthen the relationship with our Japanese Allies by training side-by-side. “The Japanese are very easy to work with,” said Thiede, a Vancouver, Washington native. “They’re very precise and practiced at what they’re able to perform.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ally Beiswanger)