Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command Rota Enhances Readiness and Retention Through Training Programs

27 January 2025

From Cmdr. Jenny Paul

Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota is dedicated to fostering professional development and recruitment in military medicine.

The small overseas command, collocated with Naval Hospital Rota, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members, enhancing retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. The training also supports those seeking career progression.

Because Naval Hospital Rota is a forward deployed shore command, many of its Sailors will be assigned to sea rotations or operational units after their tours. Preparing these Sailors to provide healthcare in a non-hospital setting, or as part of an expeditionary medicine (EEXMED) team, helps with skill sustainment, retention, and resiliency.

Capt. William Scouten, the hospital’s director and the NMRTC Commanding Officer, stressed the importance of training. “Training builds individual competence and high-functioning teams ready for rapid response. As we prepare for the most likely contingencies, teams validate lines of communication and reinforce command and control relationships that may become blurred during combat operations,” he said.

General Surgeon, Lt. Cmdr Alan Strawn, attached to Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota, provides familiarization training in using a laproscope to Operative Room Technicians. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who are may be assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. As part of the commands ongoing training initiatives, subject matter experts provide training in medical procedures and processes for credentialed and non-credentialed staff. These efforts ensure staff maintain critical skills, familiarize themselves with new practices, and are prepared for mass casualty or contingency operations. (NMRTC/Released)

Cmdr. Daniel Griffin, an Orthopedic Surgeon at Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota, demonstrates orthopedic assessment skills to a Hospitalman Jaxon Drezek, during a readiness training exercise. Ongoing training in critical wartime and assessment skills are provided to staff across the facility to ensure personnel are ready for operational assignments and emergency situations. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who may be assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. (NMRTC/Released).

Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Nurse Corps Midshipman, Samantha Drake, a student at Jacksonville University, shadows Lt Cmdr. Jason McDonald of Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota during a three-week shadowing opportunity. Over the summer NMRTC Rota hosted two senior level midshipmen providing them opportunity to experience the work and scope of responsibilities of a navy nurse, as well as gain valuable mentorship. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who are assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. (Photo by Lt Cmdr. Alicia Sacks/Released).

Hospitalman Giovanna Harrison, attached to Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota performs an audiology examination on a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Carmela Cabang during the commands Hearing Conservation Technician course. This weeklong class prepares students to be unit level subject matter experts in hearing conservation topics including ear anatomy and physiology, performance of audiometric testing, counseling patients on test results and training individuals and units on all aspects of the hearing conservation program. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who are may be assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. (NMRTC/Released)

Hospital Corpsmen from Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota practice skills learned during the Preventive Medicine Representative course. In this course staff are trained in the basics of infectious disease surveillance, transmission, reporting and prevention, as well as water testing, pest control and identification, and various health inspections. Hospital Corpsmen are responsible for managing many preventive medicine programs when assigned to operational commands and in deployed settings. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who may be assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. (Photo by HM2 Logan Pentz/Released)

Navy endodontist, Capt. Rodney Scott and Hospitalman Emma Clark perform a root canal on a military working dog (MWD). While army veterinarians perform most dental services required by MWD’s, dentists are occasionally needed to support with specialty care. The Rota Army Vet Clinic and Navy Medicine and Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Rota maintain a partnership that provides opportunities for Navy Corpsmen and active-duty hygienists to assist with routine dental exams and cleanings for the MWDs. NMRTC Rota, collocated with the Naval Hospital, offers training and shadowing opportunities for service members who are may be assigned to Expeditionary Medical (EXMED) Units, providing robust programs to support retention and operational readiness in line with Navy Medicine’s strategic objectives. (NMRTC/Released)

One such training opportunity includes candidates from within the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), with non-medical backgrounds, who partner with the hospital’s Emergency Department and Multiservice Wards to shadow nurses and receive mentorship.

Lt. Serena Yesenofski, Rota’s MECP Coordinator said, “This program offers a unique opportunity for junior Sailors to earn a nursing degree and a commission. We are committed to supporting their full potential in service to others."

Additionally, officers in the Medical Service Corps (MSC) support the Medical Service Corps Interservice Procurement Program (MSC-IPP), which offers commissioning pathways and educational opportunities.
“MSCs take pride in mentoring candidates who may one day serve alongside us,” said Cmdr. Aaron Eckard, Director for Administration. “This is how we invest and develop our future officers.”

NMRTC Rota has also hosted senior-year Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Nurse Corps Midshipmen for immersive rotations, enhancing their readiness for future assignments.

“I am very excited that Rota has been able to offer this opportunity. NROTC is an incredible way of building leadership skills and truly helps prepare nurses for a successful career in the Navy,” said Cmdr. Jenny Paul, Director for Public Health Services.

Within the past year, Preventive Medicine Technicians have trained 28 junior Sailors, preparing them for operational roles, while new initiatives like a Hearing Conservation Technician course aim to bolster mission readiness.

NMRTC Rota engages in an ongoing professional development series and has recently initiated Thursday afternoon training evolutions to ensure enlisted, officer and civilian staff are provided dedicated time for knowledge, skill and ability training and contingency operation preparations.

During this training time the commands directorate and senior enlisted leaders leverage the expertise of the command and local clinical and administrative experts to provide lunch and learn and afternoon training sessions. These evolutions highlight changes in clinical practice guidelines, review capabilities, and provide staff hands-on clinical practice for new or war-time critical skills.

NMRTC Rota’s strategic location in the Iberian Peninsula makes it a critical asset in supporting global medical missions throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, ensuring readiness and expertise for any contingency.

Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.

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