Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Feb. 1 begins National Children’s Dental Health Month, observed to bring awareness to the importance of oral hygiene and “how it can positively impact the entire body,” said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) Bradley Bennett, Hospital Dental Department chief, Pediatric Dentistry at Walter Reed.

Bennett explained that teeth are not only important for proper chewing and nutrition intake, but also for speech development and to establish self-assurance and confidence, especially for children and young adults. In addition, baby teeth serve as space savers for permanent teeth and help guide them into their proper alignment. Therefore, it’s imperative that proper care of a child’s teeth begins early,” he added.

A baby tooth normally remains in a child’s mouth until a growing permanent tooth is ready to erupt through the gums. If a child loses a tooth prematurely due to an accident or extraction of a diseased tooth, it can lead to the loss of space and has the potential to cause the new permanent tooth to erupt out of alignment or fail to erupt completely, Walter Reed dentists explain.

They added that care of a child’s teeth should begin with an expectant mother having a healthy diet, lifestyle, and maintaining regular appointments with her dentist and physician. Then, even before the child’s first tooth erupts, parents and care providers should wipe the child’s gums with a clean, soft wet cloth after feedings or at least twice a day.

“Please start brushing with a ‘smear’ of fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts,” Bennett stated. “Modern eating habits can quickly turn healthy teeth into cavities.”

Bennett added that getting families to change dietary and oral hygiene behaviors to prevent oral disease can be a challenge but can be avoided by developing good habits early.

According to Dr. Clayton Cheung, also a pediatric dentist at Walter Reed, children should brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes for each brushing under adult supervision. “Adults should always check to make sure the brushing was effective,” he shared.

“Two minutes is the goal, but sometimes that can be a bit too long for the little ones,” Bennett added. “The key is using fluoride. I ask all patients to spit out excess toothpaste, but don’t rinse afterwards.”

Bennett said flossing should begin when children have all their adult teeth, or once the child’s teeth begin to touch.

“A child usually does not have the fine motor skills to floss themselves until about the age of 8 or 9 years of age, [so] parents should floss the child’s teeth until the child acquires this skill,” Cheung added.

“Flossing is great at reducing gingivitis, but there is less evidence that it prevents cavities between teeth. Those are usually caused by diet,” Bennett shared. “We often see children who are 2 or 3 years old with a mouth full of cavities because of juice, soda, or even constant milk consumption. A big part of our team’s work is discussion of diet and the impact it has on a child’s teeth and overall health.”

“Fruits and vegetables are great; juice is not,” Bennett added. “Fluoridated water has reduced cavity prevalence over the years as well.”

In addition, the Walter Reed dentists recommend children limit foods that can get stuck in grooves and pits of their teeth for long periods, such as chips, candy and cookies, and to brush soon after eating them. Also, fresh fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow, which can help wash away food particles.

Parents should also schedule routine check-ups. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in, said the dentists. If it’s been more than six months since your child has seen a dentist, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Also, replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months.

Bennett added Walter Reed’s pediatric dentistry offers a full range of dental services, including general anesthesia in the hospital for certain oral procedures. “Dental surgery is a common option but can cost a family several thousand dollars when seeking care in the community. We can provide that service for free to our military families.”

He said he finds it most rewarding watching children grow into young adults and taking a child who is fearful of the dentist and working to repair that relationship.

“A lot of our work involves behavior management of children,” Bennett explained. “We have many options at our disposal, but having a team geared to supporting children is a big advantage to a general dentist. We also focus on ensuring proper growth and development.”

“I loved treating children while in dental school, but as [military] dentists, we usually only treat active-duty personnel. However, while living in Sicily, I had the opportunity to treat many children of military members and really loved the interaction with children. That has only grown since I pursued peds as a career.”

For more information about pediatric dentistry at Walter Reed, visit https://walterreed.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Dental/Hospital-Dentistry, or to make an appointment call (301) 400-2060. More information is also available about Children’s Dental Health on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site at: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/childrens-dental-health.html#:~:text=February%20is%20National%20Children’s%20Dental,than%20children%20who%20don’t.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

The transition of Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) into the Military Health System (MHS) offers modernization and innovation opportunities in the delivery of health care. One such area NMCSD is embarking on is an effort to adopt and promote best practices in appointing services.

Known as the Integrated Referral Management and Appointing Center (IRMAC), it is the first point of contact for beneficiaries seeking to book a Primary Care appointment. The goal of the IRMAC initiative is to ease the process for beneficiaries as they navigate the direct care system.

“Across the MHS, we have seen the IRMAC bring a high degree of patient autonomy and satisfaction,” said NMCSD Associate Director for Health Benefits, Cmdr. Kristin Schubert. “Now it’s time for NMCSD to incorporate an IRMAC and we are excited to know that it will change many aspects of patient care for the better.”

Starting on 1 February, below is what you need to know:

To book an appointment call
Dial 619-532-8225, Option 1.

For Referral questions dial 619-532-8225, option 2

Hours:
Monday – Friday 07:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed on weekends and Federal Holidays

Phase 1, Naval Brach Health Clinics (NBHC) include (starting 1 February):
Naval Base San Diego
Naval Air Station North Island

Phase 2, Additional NBHCs for roll out (exact date TBD):
Naval Training Center, Naval Base Point Loma
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Eastlake
Kearny Mesa

Phase 3, additional NMRTC Primary Care clinics roll out (date TBD)
Military Health
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics

“The efficiency gained with the IRMAC process should translate to a more Medically Ready Force, Ready Medical Force for our beneficiaries,” stated Schubert.

NMCSD continuously seeks professional civilian talent, not just limited to health care providers and administrative support. For anyone seeking a federal job, visit USAJobs at usajobs.gov – the Federal Government’s official employment site.

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 6,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton celebrated 10 years of operation in their newest facility and location on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.

Providing congratulatory comments at the ceremony were Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, director of Defense Health Network Pacific Rim; Navy Capt. Jenny Burkett, director of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton; and retired Master Chief Petty Officer Kevin Burg, former Command Master Chief of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

Valdes’ comments were mainly directed at the Sailors and staff who work at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

“I want to specifically recognize the men and women who work tirelessly every single day at this hospital to support and provide outstanding care to our Sailors, Marines and families,” Valdes said while addressing the Sailors in formation. “Be proud of what you do every day.”

Dozens of plank owners of the facility were in attendance and recognized during the ceremony. Plank owners are designated as those service members and civilian staff who were assigned to or employed by Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton at the time the new facility was dedicated.
Burkett recognized one of the plank owners individually with a command coin.

“Jason Obregon was one of the first people to set foot inside the building before the staff and the patients arrived and he continues to support us working here today,” she said.

The facility being celebrated is the third hospital to serve the population of Camp Pendleton.

The first hospital was placed in commission in September 1943 and was called Naval Hospital Santa Margarita Ranch. The second began operation in December 1974 and it remained in service until completion of the new facility. Both previous facilities were in the Lake O’Neill area of the base.

On March 19, 2009, construction of the new facility was approved in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The groundbreaking ceremony was conducted on Dec. 2, 2010, and construction was completed on Oct. 17, 2013.

According to a press release from Clark Construction from Oct. 24, 2013, the project was delivered six months ahead of schedule and more than $100 million under budget and was a joint venture between the design-build team of Clark Construction Group, LLC, and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

The grand opening, dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Jan. 31, 2014.

Although Burg retired just a few short months before the grand opening, he was here through most of the construction phase. He addressed the staff about the importance of each member of the hospital team.

“As nice as this facility is and with the many memories many of us have of the old facility, it’s important to understand that this would just be a nice-looking building if it weren’t for all of you,” Burg said while addressing the hospital staff. “I know it sounds cliché, but it is the truth. You make this building a beacon of hope to everyone who drives by … knowing they will receive the best care as long as you work here,” he added.

Burkett’s comments included two key numbers: there have been more than 7.5 million patient encounters and more than 11,500 babies delivered in the hospital since it opened 10 years ago. She also spoke of history of Navy Medicine aboard Camp Pendleton and then looked to the future of continuing the mission.

“One thing that will not change is Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton has been and will continue to be a facility that focuses on providing ready, reliable care to our patients and beneficiaries and provides a ready medical force of trained, experienced medical professionals through our graduate medical and dental education programs and our day-to-day treatment of patients,” she said as she wrapped up her comments.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Okinawa, Japan: This week on Camp Foster, medical personnel from all over the island gathered together in a large audience to attend a two-day refresher course on Military Tropical Medicine (MTM). LCDR Vlad Stanila from U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa (USNO), Preventive Medicine Specialist, coordinated the course, and USNO’s Commanding Officer CAPT Kathleen Cooperman stopped by to kick it off and welcome everyone attending. CAPT Todd Gleason, and LCDR Adrian Aceves, the presenting guests from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), with the support of LCDR Alfred Smith, 3rd Medical Battalion and CDR Catherine Berjohn, 14th Marine Regiment, Infectious Disease Specialists, instructed the course. They lectured the medical staff in attendance on ways to identify, prevent, and treat many of the viruses and diseases our service members encounter as we operate throughout the world. Navy personnel continue to serve and play a role in global engagements, from humanitarian disaster relief, bilateral training with allied forces, or contingency operations on the ground, in the air, or at sea.

Navy Medicine supports the force’s lethality by maintaining state-of-the-art medical and operational readiness. One way they do it is with the Military Tropical Medicine (MTM) course. “This course emphasizes some of the most debilitating and dangerous diseases that have had a global impact affecting the development of human civilization throughout history. Many of these morbidities are far too common afflictions in impoverished nations whose poor populations are caught up in a never-ending cycle of disease that is often coupled with malnutrition. Currently, over 1.5 billion people live below the World Bank poverty level (<$1.25 U.S. Dollars per day)." Understanding And Preventing Diseases Of Poverty In Military Tropical Medicine, by CPO Emilio Velez

CAPT Gleason said he hopes his instruction will help these caregivers identify life-threatening infections like Dengue Fever, Leptospirosis, and Malaria. Gleason said, “It is important that they be able to recognize the signs and symptoms because they will not always have access to blood tests or other examination methods.” On a different aspect of the course’s focus, the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in high-risk population, as part of a bigger initiative of Navy Medicine. LCDR Adrian Aceves pointed out that it is just as important that our Sailors protect themselves and take precautions when making port calls abroad and at home. He wants to advocate and educate our Sailors to protect themselves against the HIV infection. Dr. Aceves said, “with treatments like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Sailors can reduce their chance of getting HIV.” The course wrapped up after the second day, and the participants were all left with a better understanding and improved capabilities to provide better patient care where there are medical challenges unique to Military Tropical Medicine. The success and the popularity of the course, determined the team to come back next year, inclining to consider making the course an annual event in multiple AORs.

The Military Tropical Medicine course is just one more way Navy Medicine continues to support and provide services for a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands in both peace and wartime operations.

The U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa (USNMRTCO) supports the Defense Health Agency’s U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa (USNHO) as the largest OCONUS Navy Medicine medical treatment facility and stands t ready to respond to contingency operations to support the INDOPACOM region. It is a critical regional asset for direct care delivery, regional referrals, and medical contingency operations. The staff of USNHO understands their vital role as pre-positioned, forward-deployed naval forces within the first island chain, aligned and in support of the joint military commands and operations.

Trey Savitz, Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan
Comm: 011-81-971-7024
DSN: (315) 646-7024
isaac.s.savitz.civ@health.mil

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

By James A. Black
WRNMMC Office of Command Communications

Women Physicians: Pioneering Health Care and Patient-Centered Service

For more than a century, women physicians have contributed to the success of medical care in the United States, playing vital roles in saving the lives of children, adolescents, adults and wounded, ill or injured services members.

With that in mind, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center joins a global community of stakeholders celebrating National Women Physicians Day, also known as Women Physicians Day or Women in Medicine Day, an annual observance held on February 3.

This day honors the pioneering achievements and ongoing contributions of female physicians in the field of health care. It commemorates the trailblazing spirit of Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, who, in 1849, became the first American woman to earn a medical degree, paving the way for countless female doctors to follow.

Walter Reed: Talented Women Physicians Transform Military Medicine

U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Melissa Austin assumed directorship of Walter Reed during a historic change of leadership ceremony in Memorial Auditorium, becoming the first woman director of Walter Reed. On July 5, 2023, she assumed the helm of the world’s most revered military hospital, often referred to as “The President’s Hospital,” during a period of transformation for the historic campus.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” emphasized Austin in thanking her mentor outgoing Walter Reed director, U.S. Navy Capt. Felix A. Drew Bigby. “That’s why my goal is that each of you have the same passion, purpose, and pride for military medical service that I do,” pledged Austin – promising to embrace the challenges of leading the military’s flagship hospital by empowering creativity and collaboration each day.

Within weeks of taking the helm, Austin created an ambitious Director’s 12 Initiatives Campaign focused on improving patient-centered care, elevating sustainability, and creating rapid hiring events to enhance recruitment and retention success.

Austin, the daughter of a career Army officer, graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and earned a commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) in 1996.

She spent seven years in the surface warfare community before earning her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and completing her residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Walter Reed’s Women Health Services Director Champions Pioneering Surgery

When you meet Dr. Candice Jones-Cox, the Women’s Health Services director at Walter Reed, you will learn that she’s a fierce patient advocate and a meticulous surgeon, passionately learning cutting-edge techniques to adapt to an ever-changing medical landscape. She’s an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN), highly adept at performing complex women’s surgeries – especially hysterectomies.

Jones-Cox became the first surgeon in the Department of Defense medical community to perform a robotic minimally invasive natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES), vastly reducing a patient’s recovery time and discomfort while minimizing hospital stays.

“One of the limits of a strictly vaginal hysterectomy is that you can’t see the upper abdomen,” explained Jones-Cox. “Now, with vNOTES, we can evaluate the upper abdomen and the ovaries and uterus,” on an operating room monitor with images transmitted by a camera.

Jones-Cox conducts extensive interviews with patients before recommending a hysterectomy, asking questions about a patient’s quality of life, including menstruation cycles and sleep patterns. “Once the patient decides that she believes a hysterectomy is the right choice, then it’s all about supporting them.”

“When I see the patients postoperatively, they have energy, are smiling, and are pain-free.” That’s gratifying for Jones-Cox, who enjoys empowering patients to make transformative decisions.

Walter Reed Eye Institute Director Promotes Global Vision Health Initiatives

As part of National Glaucoma Awareness Month, each January the Walter Reed Eye Institute joins stakeholders in a global 30-day campaign to encourage everyone over 40 to have annual eye exams. “We are fortunate to have excellent tools to diagnose glaucoma,” shared U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Rachel A. Lieberman, the program director for the National Capital Consortium (NCC).

The Walter Reed Eye Institute (WREI) continually upgrades its equipment to protect the vision of military families. “Some new acquisitions include a laser for treating glaucoma and a laser for performing [laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis] LASIK and other types of refractive surgery,” explained Lieberman, who is a medical doctor specializing in ophthalmology, licensed to both treat eye diseases and perform eye surgeries.

“Many of our physicians volunteer their free time, aiding the Prevention of Blindness Society, a local non-profit in Montgomery County, Maryland,” shared Lieberman – who credits her mentors with imbuing her with a sense of public service.

“I’ve been fortunate to have multiple mentors throughout my career,” recalled Lieberman who credits U.S. Air Force Col. Rand Morris, who led the ROTC detachment at the University of California, Berkeley for encouraging her to join the service.

Lieberman, like her WREI predecessor retired U.S. Army Col. (Dr.) Won I. Kim, believes in the value of “paying it forward.” Kim continues to mentor WREI stakeholders, providing insight “on everything from surgical technique to resident education,” confided Lieberman.

To learn more about the impact of women in medicine, visit the below links:

https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/Military-Medical-History/Historical-Timelines/Women?type=Articles

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/women-physician-day.html

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 9, 2024) – One hundred twenty-six Sailors participated in a historic bioskills procedure lab onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 9.

Sailors from 29 different commands attended the lab, which was held to provide realistic training to operational forces to prepare for upcoming deployments.

In the bioskills procedure lab, Sailors learned various emergency techniques such as a thoracotomy, cricothyrotomy, and intraosseous infusions.

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Mandy Plante, assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, led the effort to organize the one-day training for hospital corpsman and stretcher bearers assigned to ships on the waterfront.

“I was so excited to be able to organize this training,” said Plante. “Seeing the reactions of so many of the corpsman, how appreciative they were to be able to do the training, and how valuable they said it was—it made all the time and effort into organizing it so worth it.”

Plante worked with Teleflex, who provide many items on ships’ authorized medical allowance list for emergency medicine. The training was offered for free to be able to learn how to use the products and perform advanced procedures.

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tia Jeter, assigned to USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), expressed how helpful the training was to improve her medical knowledge.

“I actually got to be hands-on for a cricothyrotomy, chest tube, and endotracheal tube,” said Jeter. “Since I’m a hands on learner, it made me feel extremely comfortable and confident. I was in an environment where I could ask questions and that made me feel extra comfortable as well.”

Plante said SURFLANT was the first Navy command to organize real-world medical training of this caliber, which provided a rare, invaluable opportunity for our warfighters.

“If something goes down, I want to be able to help in any way I can,” said Jeter. “I want to be confident and feel confident when I do it. So getting an idea of it today along with my actual independent duty corpsman, I have no worries when I get back to my ship.”

Moving forward, Plante has discussed plans with Teleflex to hold another similar training in the future.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. More than 70 ships and 34 shore commands make up the SURFLANT Force.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

It’s dusk and you are alone in the forest. It’s been two hours since you were forced to eject from your aircraft, which turned into a fiery ball of metal after being hit by an enemy
surface to air missile. You are shaken and lost, but still mobile. This is when your training and mental preparation kick-in.
Walking in the low light of the evening, you squint trying to read your map and orient towards the friendly forces 40 kilometers to your south. Pausing to catch your breath, you reach for the MRE candy bar stashed in the inner left pocket of your flight vest. As you tear open the wrapper, you hear the faint rumbling of trucks and take cover behind a thicket of waist-high shrubs. You see the glint of headlights. The trucks are getting closer to your position. Driving faster, headlights getting brighter, you
hear men shouting but not in a language you recognize. Blood rushes to your feet and your eyes widen as you realize this is an enemy search party looking for you.
Scenarios like this one are familiar to the Robert E. Mitchell Center (REMC) for Prisoner of War Studies aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, where for 50 years they have conducted physical and psychological evaluations on Repatriated American Prisoners of War (RPOW) from all services. In fact, REMC is the DoD’s sole program dedicated to studying the effects of wartime captivity on the human
body and mind.

The legacy of American RPOWs not only drives the mission of REMC but is part of the basis upon which the Navy’s arduous Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) schools were developed. Tracing their roots back to the Korean and Vietnam wars, Navy SERE is the bi-coastal schoolhouse responsible for providing advanced Code of Conduct training to service members at high risk of isolation and captivity.
As the Navy Research Psychologist assigned to REMC, Lt. Jacob Westerberg studies and provides training about captivity and identifies ways to prepare and care for the next generation of warfighter who may become isolated or captured. His days are spent interviewing RPOWs about their experiences and translating their lessons into teachable mindsets and actions that service members can apply to succeed in adversity.
“I am repeatedly amazed by the tenacity and ingenuity of the American warfighter,” said Westerberg. “I realized soon after being assigned to this position that there is only so much that can be learned from secondhand experience”.
Survival is more than just knowing which plants to eat and how to camouflage. The mental aspects of survival and endurance are only truly understood when you are brought to hardship and held at the edge of a person’s ability. Westerberg knew that he had to see this edge for himself.
“To be at my best to support the REMC mission and today’s warfighter, I felt in my core that I had to attend the very training inspired by the population I work with every day,” said Westerberg. “I had to go to SERE.”
Survive Evade Resist and Escape (SERE) training has a reputation for being one of the more challenging trainings offered by the military and is designed to test a service member to their limits. The training is designed to educate and skill students in survival in the elements and emergency scenarios, but also to prepare them for what they must do mentally as well to survive if they remain isolated and or captured. The saying “War is Hell” originated I the civil war but is still used even in pop culture today.

The reality that mother nature, injury, and not mention your adversary are going to make for brutal even hellish conditions for you to survive in can only be truly understood once you are there. Understanding what you may be encounter in the worst case scenario and how to prepare yourself mentally is absolutely critical for positive outcomes post survival.
“I certainly was apprehensive about the opportunity, but the chance to participate in something so realistic and visceral seemed like the best way to advance critical operational insights,” said Westerberg. “Furthermore, this degree of investment is the expectation of the Navy’s two dozen
Research Psychologists, who are tasked to go wherever sailors are and study the many variables that impact their health, well-being, and readiness to fight.”
Due to the nature of the training and sharing specific details of SERE training experience would spoil the experience for future attendees. However, there are meaningful takeaways to share and some observations regarding personal conduct during stressful situations which may be useful:
1. You will never know when it will be your time to rise to the occasion – when the task or mission at hand hits the bullseye of your specific knowledges, skills, and abilities, regardless of occupation. Whether you are a Recon Marine Officer, F-35 pilot, or Healthcare Scientist, you have
something to bring to the situation, that only you can bring. And because you will never know when it will be your turn to lead the team through rough terrain, negotiation on the behalf of others, or seize an opportunity to get your people out of harm’s way, you must give the situation your full attention. Be ready for your moment.
2. Being a reliable shipmate is not everything, but sometimes it is the only thing – The situation may be such that the people on your left and your right are your only chance of success (or source of sanity), and you are equally theirs. Reliably carrying your weight in challenging circumstances creates a connectedness, a cohesion, and a trust that acts as force multiplier when confronting shared adversary.
3. You will be expected to do things in the military that you have never done – The idea that “discomfortable signals growth” is sometimes thrown around as a tongue-in-cheek excuse for minor inconveniences. However, there is merit to this maxim. Expanding your circle of capability only
happens when you engage in thinking and actions that are new, unfamiliar, and outside of your comfort zone.
4. Humor brings reprieve to a stressful situation by introducing a new focal point – The value of humor is a recurring topic in the interviews I conduct with RPOWs. After my SERE experience, I can see why. For some, humor connects to something deeper in our collective conscience. As one RPOW stated, “humor seems to be a particularly American trait, it is an unmatched display of freedom in thought and speech.” But perhaps it is simpler than that, as another RPOW offered, “laughing is more important than feeling like crap.” No matter which orientation you align with more, don’t lose your sense of humor, it may be exactly what you and your team need to put the wind back into your sails.
Keeping the proper mindset and outlook despite the most trying conditions is one of the most difficult things to do and to do it correctly requires commitment. Commitment to your goal to survive and make it home, your commitment to your fellow service members, and your commitment to your training. It is for this reason that SERE was created based on the testimonies and experience of those who have endured it and lived to pass on what they know. It is this research and commitment to service that Westerberg brought back from his time at SERE to use at REMC Prisoner of War Studies that will help ensure that our service members will come home and not only survive but thrive. This insight is critical to REMC as it is the only Department of Defense’s (DoD) designated center for all the military services, to include active duty, retired, and veteran repatriated POWs. One of the additional benefits of this program is that its clinical findings from REMC’s RPOW program have been instrumental in advising private physicians, VA physicians, and caregivers on their treatment and care for this special group of service members.
This special program, part of the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI), has the unique mission of providing follow-up evaluations to repatriated prisoners of war (RPOWs). These studies of service members from Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom allow researchers to study the long-term mental and physical effects of captivity and to address the findings applicability to current and future military operations.
From his perspective of both an officer and researcher, Westerberg says this experience highlighted the importance of getting as close as possible to the issues one is trying to support or solve.
“Deeply understanding the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of those engaged in direct action affords you with not only greater credibility, but the opportunity to develop insights and interventions that account for nuance and subtly,” said Westerberg. The experience of SERE is not one soon forgotten by any who undergo the grueling training, but perhaps not for the reasons that initially come to mind. Instead, etched in one’s memory will be the lessons learned of 1) being ready for your moment, 2) being a reliable shipmate, 3) being up for doing things that you have never done before, and 4) not being afraid to exercise some humor in moments of stress.
REMC and NAMI are part of the Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC) the Navy’s leader in operational medicine. Located in Pensacola, FL NMOTC is comprised of six nationwide detachments which specialize in aviation, surface and submarine warfare, expeditionary, and
special operations medicine.

NOTE: LT. John Westerberg would like to thank REMC Program Director, COL. (ret) John P. Albano, MD, MPH for his encouragement to attend SERE and his example as a mission-driven leader. CAPT Carrie Kennedy, PhD, ABPP, and LT Viktor Koltko, PhD, for their active roles in securing a spot for SERE, as well as their exemplary dedication to service member success.
For more news from NMOTC, visit http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NMOTC

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON – (Jan. 25, 2024) – “By experience, by performance, and by testing, you have been advanced to chief petty officer. In the United States Navy – and only in the United States Navy – the rank of E7 carries with it unique responsibilities and privileges you are expected to fulfill and bound to observe,” excerpt from the Chief Petty Officers Creed.

To publicly acknowledged the appreciation of several Sailors of the Chiefs Mess assigned to Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC), U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23) presented Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition to Senior Chief Legalman Sean Harris, Chiefs Hospital Corpsman Javier Sanchez, Luis Amaya, Phillip Tinker, and Wendel Stanford at the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) Medical Education and Training Campus (METC).

The Sailors were recognized for serving as the funeral detail for the late Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Joe Luna in Uvalde, Texas, Nov. 20, 2023.

According to Luna’s niece, Jaclyn Gonzales, after his death due to long battle with multiple sclerosis, it seemed that Luna wouldn’t be given full military honors at his burial.

“Upon his passing, we reached out to the funeral home, and they were not able to verify what services were going to be provided, said Gonzales. “There seemed to be many obstacles and it appeared that we were not going to have the services that we had so wished for.”

The family of Luna contacted Rep. Gonzales’ office for assistance in which they reached out to retired Force Master Chief Paul St. Sauver of Veterans Resource Team for help. St. Sauver contacted the NMTSC’s Chief Mess, and seven members of the mess volunteered to answer the family’s request and to pay due honor to a fellow Navy chief and hospital corpsman.

Rep. Gonzales, a retired Navy master chief petty officer, was on the base to attend a Change of Command Ceremony and took the opportunity to meet with the Sailors.

“I want to thank those Navy chiefs for covering down and taking care of that family,” said Rep. Gonzales. “For Navy chiefs, we don’t take our anchors off.”

Joining Rep. Gonzales at the ceremony was Force Master Chief PatrickPaul Mangaran, director, Hospital Corps, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

“The fact that those chiefs volunteered to provide funeral honors for a retired senior chief show that heritage, pomp and circumstance are still in full effect,” said Mangaran, who was in San Antonio touring Navy Medicine Commands. “The Chiefs Mess is important to me because chiefs are supposed to be the link that brings all relationships together. Chiefs are usually called upon to work together to solve operational problems together, but also called upon to help a fellow chief petty officer and family members out in times of need.”

According to Senior Chief Legalman Sean Harris, of Calistoga, Calif., assigned to NMTSC’s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, when he received the phone call from St. Sauver, the Chiefs Mess jumped at the opportunity.

“We wanted to support Senior Chief Luna’s family as he was a brother and fellow Navy chief,” said Harris. “We were glad to do it, and everything went well. It is meaningful to know that the Chiefs Mess, the world’s largest maritime fraternity, is everywhere and we will always be willing to support each other.”

Luna’s family is forever grateful for the support they received from Rep. Gonzales and NMTSC’s Chiefs Mess.

“First and foremost, we want to thank Congressman Tony Gonzales for assisting my family on the funeral services provided for my uncle,” said Luna’s niece. “As soon as my mother, Martha Lara, found out that the Navy Chiefs were going to be present it brought tears of joy to her eyes because she knew her brother was going to be honored.”

NMTSC is a subordinate command under Naval Medical Forces Support Command headquartered in San Antonio and is the Navy component command that provides initial training for thousands of Sailors, annually, through the Hospital Corpsman Basic “A” School and follow on training at Advanced Specialty “C” Schools.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

As Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) celebrates National Pharmacist Day, 12 Jan., we present two pharmacists whose parallel trajectory lead them to serving in one of the hospital’s most relied upon departments by beneficiaries who expect a precision and expediency that leaves zero room for complacency.

“The path I took to get to NMCSD started with a yearning desire to serve our nation within the capacity of a medical profession,” said Lt. Andre Burnett, NMCSD pharmacist. “Coming from a family with a deep-rooted connection to the military consisting of three generations, the celebrated expectation that my family had — and most importantly that I had for myself — was prescribed in the journey that has brought me to this coveted assignment at NMCSD.”

Burnett, a native from Birmingham, Alabama, embarked on an extended journey to obtain his direct commission in the U.S. Navy — a total of seven years.

“Even before graduating from Hampton University’s School of Pharmacy I was applying for a direct commission. The seven year wait did not detract me; however, I needed to sustain myself and became a pharmacist with Rite-Aid, where they provided me an exposure to a broad customer constituency — one that showcased to me some of the most disenfranchised members imaginable. Therefore, compassionate caring in the execution of your duties was something that was integral to getting you through the day.”

As Burnett was applying to colleges, he ultimately attended Stillman College, a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) institution, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Lt. Catherine Bobea, United States Public Health Service (USPHS) pharmacist, was attending Queens College, a public college in the borough of Queens, New York City, and part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. However, Bobea had no intentions of becoming a pharmacist.

“As a child I had aspirations of becoming a classically trained singer,” says Bobea, a Queens native. “Despite attending the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, it was my part time job at Rite-Aid that propelled me to the customer service aspect of healthcare. With the support of my Rite-Aid supervisors and the potential that they saw, I went back to school to obtain a B.A. in Biology. This step enabled me to attend pharmacy school.”

During pharmacy school, Bobea was sent to the Crow Agency Indian Reservation in Montana, where she had her first exposure to the USPHS.

“Coming from Queens I thought I’ve seen it all, but it wasn’t until serving at Crow Agency that the significance of the smallest acts of compassionate care became apparent to me. There is no such thing as too small of a caring act,” expresses Bobea. “Once I made the connection of the Public Health Service with its mission and the public that they serve, it was a natural progression for me to want to become a Public Health Service servant.”

With a unique collaboration between the USPHS and the Defense Health Agency through the former’s Public Health Emergency Response Strike Team (PHERST), Bobea, and four other USPHS clinicians at NMCSD, provide a valued service to NMCSD by augmenting the command’s ability to render patient care.

“Here at NMCSD I am able to uphold the Public Health Service’s mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the Nation,” explains Bobea. “Being part of the PHERST team, we too must be ready to deploy within a moment’s notice and for us that means being ready within 24 hours. So I truly understand and value the demands placed on the fleet and our military medicine brethren.”

The paths of these two pharmacists will ultimately diverge, but their commitment to serve will remain consistent.

“The connection forged between my fellow pharmacists and technicians is not just clinical, but rather it is rooted in a shared commitment to those who have dedicated themselves to the service of our nation,” says Burnett. “For us, all roads lead to improving the lives and wellbeing of our Nation’s heroes.”

NMCSD continuously seeks professional civilian talent, not just limited to health care providers and administrative support. For anyone seeking a federal job, visit USAJobs at usajobs.gov – the Federal Government’s official employment site.

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 6,000 active-duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.