The Navy surgeon general delivered remarks at the submarine Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) graduation ceremony at Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, July 31.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and Force Master Chief Sherman Boss (FMF/SS/SW), director of the Hospital Corps, addressed the graduates of Naval Undersea Medical Institute's (NUMI) Class 246 at the historic ship Nautilus (SSN 571) submarine force museum.

Nathan highlighted the Navy's wide-spectrum of capabilities and Navy Medicine's role in ensuring Sailors and Marines are medically ready to operate forward around the globe.

"There is no equivalent in any other service to the independent duty corpsman," said Nathan. "The U.S. Navy has the broadest portfolio of any of the services, not only when it comes to warfighting, but also in medical diplomacy and medical care. We operate on the surface of the sea with surface warfare; we operate above the sea with naval aviation; we operate under the sea with submarine forces; and we operate on the land in support of the Marine Corps and special forces."

Nathan stated the trust and responsibility placed on the IDC is critical to the submarine mission.

"It is imperative that when a submarine goes out, it is able to meet its mission and do it successfully," said Nathan. "The medical support in preparing the crew to deploy, supporting the crew while deployed, and returning the crew safely to shore, falls on the shoulders of you, the submarine independent duty corpsman. The crew will sleep more soundly because of the confidence they have in you, your training, your ability, your professionalism, and your accessibility. As you go out to sea, thank you in advance for the difference you are about to make."

Seven corpsmen graduated with Class 246. These Sailors completed a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum and will serve as the sole medical professional aboard their assigned nuclear powered submarines.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Sean M. Hufford, USS Tuscon (SSN 770), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Chief Hospital Corpsman Nicholas E. Sanderson, USS New Mexico (SSN 779), Groton, Connecticut

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jesus R. Martinez, USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730) (Gold), Bangor, Washington

Hospital Corpsman Caleb A. Noble, USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue), Bangor, Washington

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Henry Ponce, USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold), Bangor, Washington

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Luis H. Rodriguez, USS Bremerton, (SSN 698), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Steven D. Dreher, USS Nevada (SSBN 733) (Blue), Bangor, Washington

"I've watched this class mature and grow over nearly 2,000 hours of instruction," said Boss. "You are the latest link in a long lineage of hospital corpsmen submarine IDCs. I am proud to call you, not only a shipmate, but a fellow submariner, a submarine IDC."

Sanderson described what it means for him to be a corpsman as he embarks on his first assignment as a submarine IDC.

"It's a calling," said Sanderson. "And for me, it's a legacy. My dad was a submarine IDC, and I knew I wanted to be a submarine IDC before I even joined the Navy. I'm very proud to be a corpsman and a submarine IDC. Today I step out and follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before me."

NUMI is the source of training for submarine force IDCs, radiation health technicians, undersea medical officer candidates and radiation health officers. NUMI also provides the Navy's only radiation health indoctrination course for officers and enlisted personnel going to a wide variety of billets throughout the fleet.

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/.