Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Courtesy story by Megan Lemly, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. Jose MendezAmbriz, a native of Fresno, California, was recently selected as Junior Officer of the Quarter (JOQ), third quarter, while serving with U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
JOQ recognizes high-performing junior officers who exemplify the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment.

“I’m incredibly honored to be selected as Junior Officer of the Quarter for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024,” said MendezAmbriz. “It’s humbling to be recognized for the work I do every day and I’m grateful to my leadership for this honor.”

MendezAmbriz, a 2008 Central Unified East Campus graduate, joined the Navy 13 years ago. Additionally, MendezAmbriz earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from National University.

“I enlisted in the Navy inspired by the opportunity to serve my country, pay for my education and embark on a journey of global discovery that would set the stage for a fulfilling career and a better future,” said MendezAmbriz.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fresno.

“My early experiences as a dishwasher at one of the local favorites, California Wok, and as a server at the local staple, Yosemite Falls Cafe, instilled a strong work ethic within me,” said MendezAmbriz. “Inspired by my father’s vision, unwavering belief in me and his own strong work ethic, I’ve built upon this foundation to excel in my Naval career.”

Today, MendezAmbriz serves as a nurse corps officer responsible for providing medical care to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.

NMRTC focuses on three critical mission priorities: warfighter readiness, medical force generation and supporting the delivery of high-quality health care.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

MendezAmbriz serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

MendezAmbriz has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“Commissioning as a nurse corps officer and serving aboard the USNS Mercy, both as a hospital corpsman in 2015 and as a nurse corps officer in 2022, has been a privilege,” said MendezAmbriz. “I am proud to have contributed to such an incredible mission and to have experienced both sides of the coin as an enlisted member and a naval officer.”

MendezAmbriz can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy has been a life-changing experience, allowing me to explore diverse cultures and challenge myself in countless ways,” said MendezAmbriz. “From the historic sites of Europe to the Indo-Pacific, and from my home state of California to the intriguing island of Cuba, my journey has been remarkable. The friends and family I’ve made along the way have made it all worthwhile.”

MendezAmbriz is grateful to others for making a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents, Nicandro and Maria Mendez, for their unwavering support and belief in me,” added MendezAmbriz. “I also want to thank my brothers and nephews for their understanding and support during my absences. And to my friends, I appreciate your continued efforts to stay connected, whether through visits or reaching out.”

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

BETHESDA, Md. – Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC)’s Clinical Trials Center (CTC) is seeking volunteers to participate in a phase 1 clinical trial for a vaccine aimed at reducing frequency and severity of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections.

The study, beginning in December and funded by LimmaTech Biologics, is seeking 129 participants to help evaluate the safety of the vaccine, called LTB-SA7. Participants will receive two injections, four weeks apart.

According to the Center for Disease Control, Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a type of germ that about 30% of people carry on their skin or in their noses. In some cases, staph can cause infections, which can lead to serious or fatal outcomes. Staph can cause serious infections with significant morbidity that includes pain, scarring and time lost from school and work.

Staph is a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections in U.S. military populations, and a leading pathogen of concern, due to the antimicrobial resistance of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

“Between January 2016 and September 2020, over 200,000 cases of skin and soft tissue infections affected 174,893 service members,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jaqueline Clerk, deputy director of the CTC. “Our junior service members are the ones most likely to be affected and are at highest risk of infection during training and deployments. A safe and effect vaccine to reduce the burden of Staph infections would significantly improve the lives of service members and reduce the amount of antibiotics used.”

The LTB-SA7 vaccine consists of five components, including seven toxoids. The use of inactive toxins, or toxoids, allows for the controlled introduction of products that will trigger an immune response without causing the toxin-induced disease. The toxoids in the LTB-SA7 are from three families of staphylococcal toxins.

“First-in-human clinical trials provide the first look at how a product will act in people,” said Dr. Chad Porter, director of the CTC. “They also represent the first step in a long clinical development process. It is exciting to be a part of the earliest clinical evaluation for a product that could have such significant benefit for the military and other populations.”

The CTC study is open to the public for all healthy people between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Participants must have a body mass index (BMI) between 19-35 and be able to complete at least seven in-person visits over one year. Active-duty personnel must complete a supervisor’s approval form as part of the study. Participants may be eligible for compensation.

NMRC CTC is located at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Building 17B (2nd floor). If you would like to participate or have any questions, please contact the center at 301-295-4735 (call) or 301-233-9640 (text), or via e-mail at usn.nmrc.ctc@health.mil to schedule an appointment.

The NMRC CTC evaluates vaccines, therapeutics, prophylactics in human subjects to advance products from the laboratory to the front line and maximize the medical readiness of the warfighter. NMRC is engaged in a broad spectrum of activities, from basic science in the laboratory to field studies in austere and remote areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

For most anticipating a feast at a command’s galley, the holidays are a time to gather, eat, and celebrate, but for the Nutrition Management Department at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), it’s the culmination of months of meticulous planning, teamwork, and dedication. On Dec. 12, 2024, the team served over 1,000 meals in just two and a half hours, offering a festive dining experience to patients, staff, and visitors. However, the event was far more than just a meal—it was a demonstration of precision logistics and culinary artistry.

“We start planning for the December Holiday Special Meal in early October,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Jason Asencio, Department Head for NMCSD Nutrition Management, who oversees the operation. “This happens while we’re simultaneously managing the Navy Birthday meal and Thanksgiving meal.”

The process begins with crafting a menu based on vendor availability, followed by forecasting the precise quantities of every ingredient. The team reviews sales data from past events, calculates costs, and determines serving sizes to balance quality with efficiency. Weekly production meetings refine the plan over several weeks.

“Forecasting is one of the most comprehensive steps,” said Asencio. “We account for every detail—equipment availability, storage space, delivery schedules, and even how much oven capacity we’ll need on the big day.  Not to mention, we also had to contend with staff rightfully on leave and another major dynamic that pulled staff away from NMCSD.”

This year’s preparations were particularly challenging, as the Mercy Exercise (MERCEX 25-1) drew away many NMCSD team members until Dec. 11. MERCEX, a quarterly training event conducted aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), requires significant participation from NMCSD staff who are cross-assigned to Mercy. The exercise hones the readiness of more than 500 Sailors, preparing them for disaster relief, casualty care, and operational deployments.

Despite this operational commitment, the Nutrition Management culinary team at NMCSD ensured the holiday meal was executed flawlessly.

The day before the meal, many menu items were prepped to ensure smooth execution. On Dec. 12, staff arrived as early as 5:00 a.m. to begin cooking and decorating. The kitchen buzzed with activity—meats were expertly carved, desserts packaged, vegetables and fruits sculpted for garnish, and temperatures checked meticulously.

By the time the doors opened, the three service lines were adorned with holiday-themed decorations and perfectly plated dishes.

“This event requires full collaboration from both our administrative and culinary teams,” said Asencio. “From planning to execution, every team member plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional experience.”

Capt. Elizabeth Adriano, Director of NMCSD, praised the effort, saying, “This meal is a testament to the dedication of our Food Services team. Their hard work ensures that even during the busy holiday season, we create moments of joy and connection for our patients, staff, and visitors. It’s a reflection of our commitment to care and the talent of our Food Services team.  And, the food was delicious!”

NMCSD’s Holiday Special Meal reflects the command’s commitment to excellence, not just in healthcare but in every aspect of service. Behind the scenes, it’s a story of careful planning, hard work, and a shared mission to bring joy during the holiday season.

For media with any follow-up interest or questions, contact NMCSD Public Affairs at 619-380-3004.

The mission of NMCSD is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high-quality health care services, and shape the future of military medicine through education, training, and research. NMCSD employs more than 5,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians, and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care. Anchored in Excellence, Committed to Health!

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Navy Medical Research Command (NMRC) is currently wrapping up decade-long efforts into studying potential health threats and solutions that face U.S. service members in Australia.

In November 2011, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and President Barack Obama announced two new force posture initiatives intended to significantly enhance defense cooperation between Australia and the United States. The first involved the U.S. Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force, increasing rotations of U.S. aircraft through northern Australia. The second initiative created the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), a U.S. Marine Air Ground Task Force that trains with the Australian Defense Force in the Northern Territories during a six-month deployment.

These activities involve regular and ongoing exposure to soil, dust, surface water and arthropods; all potential sources of infectious diseases that are otherwise rarely encountered by U.S. forces.
This exposure necessitated proactive efforts to evaluate these new health threats.

“As soon as we became aware of the permanent six-month rotation of Marines in Northern Australia, our scientists recognized the need and opportunity to provide biosurveillance support against infectious diseases to those Marines units deploying to a truly austere environment,” explained Capt. Guillermo Pimentel, Director of the NMRC’s Biological Disease Research Directorate’s (BDRD),

In the absence of a Department of Defense team dedicated to Severe Sepsis Syndrome in operational environments, BDRD has worked in partnership with the Austere environments Consortium for Enhanced Sepsis Outcomes (ACESO) team on a series of research studies focused on MRF-D over the past decade.

“Having a research team co-located with our service members during training and operational exercises helps ensure our ability to understand and quantify infectious disease threats in theater,” said Dr. Chad Porter, head of NMRC’s Translational and Clinical Research Department.

The NMRC-ACESO team assessed the risk to service members of Burkholderia pseudomallei, which causes melioidosis, a bacterial infection in people and animals that is spread through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water. Researchers also developed and refined methods for diagnosing B. pseudomallei, with the goal of more rapidly detecting and managing outbreaks of the pathogen, something particularly important for infections with non-specific symptoms.

In addition to B. pseudomallei, NMRC-ACESO researchers studied Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever, a bacteria that naturally infect some animals, such as goats, sheep, and cows; and Ross River virus, which is primarily spread by mosquitoes and can cause swollen or painful joints, fever, rash, and fatigue. By establishing studies with service members in MFR-D, NMRC and ACESO have made initial estimates of the risk of these infectious disease threats to U.S. Marines in Australia.

ACESO focuses on the generation of knowledge that can rapidly translate into preventing and improving the outcome of severe infections in the austere setting. This consortium consists of investigators from military medical research institutes and world-class civilian research entities to execute a coordinated program of research aimed at improving prevention, early recognition, diagnosis, and effective treatment of severe infections from all causes in austere environments.

NMRC is engaged in a broad spectrum of activities, from basic science in the laboratory to field studies in austere and remote areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.