After 31 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Capt. Douglas E. Stephens, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, Navy Medicine East, was promoted aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), March 4.

Stephens was born into the Navy medicine life at Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina, and graduated from Seneca High School in Seneca, South Carolina, in 1983. After high school, he decided to become a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy.

"At 19 years old, I went to sea on a U.S. Navy destroyer," said Stephens. "It was at that moment that I told myself that I was staying in the Navy forever."

Stephens did just that. He went on to continue his education and now holds two degrees -- a Bachelor of Science in business from San Diego State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego. His dedication and hard work paid off when he was commissioned into the Navy's medical service corps in 1996.

Stephens has held various positions within Navy Medicine, including serving as health care administrator at U.S. NH Okinawa, Japan; radiation health officer/division head aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the initial phases of Operation Enduring Freedom; director for administration for Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, Maryland; and officer in charge for the David. R. Ray Health Center at Naval Station Everett, Washington.

And now, over 30 years after his initial deployment on the Navy destroyer, Stephens is the deputy chief of staff for one of only two regional commands which manage Navy Medicine's global health care network. In this capacity, he supports Navy Medicine's strategic goals of readiness, health, and partnerships by ensuring the planning, operations, and medical intelligence positions -- active duty, Reservists, and civil service -- are filled at NME's facilities which span the eastern hemisphere.

"I've been blessed to serve in a variety of positions that allow me to understand Navy Medicine, from operational and overseas commands to military treatment facilities," said Stephens. "I am incredibly loyal to what we do here at Navy medicine."

The next stop for Stephens in his naval adventure is U.S. NH Naples, Italy, where he will become the executive officer.

He has been awarded many decorations but is most proud of his 14 unit awards and commendations because they recognize the participation and accomplishments of the entire team.

"Most importantly, I have been blessed with so many mentors that are directly responsible for me being able to serve in the Navy," he said. "If it were not for them, I would not be where I am today. I'm very thankful."

Navy Medicine East oversees the delivery of medical, dental, and other health care services to approximately 1 million patients across almost 100 facilities in the eastern hemisphere -- including the Tidewater Enhanced Multi-Service Market which brings together Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, McDonald Army Health Center, and U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley. Plus, its public health activities extend globally.

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For more news from Navy Medicine East, visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nme.