The Navy's surgeon general made his second trip since assuming his new position in December, visiting Navy Medicine commands in San Antonio, Feb. 18-19.

Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison, surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), spent two days on a whirlwind tour in "Military City USA" with Force Master Chief (FMF/SW/AW) Terry Prince, his force master chief and director of the Hospital Corps.

Faison's first stops were to the Navy Medicine Education and Training Command (NMETC) and the Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC) on board Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston (JBSA-FSH). He said visiting Navy Medicine education and training organizations early on was intentional and meant to send a message.

"You play a critical role in Navy Medicine's success," Faison told NMETC military and civilian staff during an all-hands call while discussing the future of the Navy and Navy Medicine. "This is where our corpsmen train. Our success is dependent upon their success, and their success is dependent upon your success."

Lt. j.g. Andrew Duffin, a Medical Service Corps officer serving in the NMETC operations department, was one of three NMETC staff recognized by Faison during the all-hands call. Faison presented Duffin one of his personal coins for managing several projects that significantly impacted NMETC success.

"I think Vice Adm. Faison's visit showcased a strong transition in our senior leadership," Duffin said. "He came across as charismatic and genuine. His vision for the future of Navy Medicine is a proactive one that puts the focus back on what all of us in Navy Medicine are passionate about -- the patient. As a person who constantly questions everything, it was refreshing to hear his focus on the 'why' in our business. Far too often, why we do things is overlooked in favor of processes and procedures."

Faison also visited and held all-hands calls with NMTSC Navy officer and enlisted instructors serving at the Army, Navy and Air Force tri-service Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) and at several officer medical training programs located on JBSA-FSH. Faison visited the Naval Medical Research Unit - San Antonio (NAMRU-SA), and then wrapped his two-day visit with a tour of the METC, where he was able to meet and speak with enlisted students.

The highlight of Faison's visit seemed to be the time he spent with the most junior enlisted personnel. This included serving as the guest speaker for a Hospital Corps "A" school class graduation, now a joint Navy and Air Force program called the Basic Medical Technician/Corpsman Program (BMTCP). He told the graduates he had three requests of them; requests that span all ranks and medical specialties.

"Always be worthy of the trust that has been placed in your hands in the privilege of caring for America's sons and daughters, to care for them as you would care for your loved ones, providing them the best care possible and doing all in your power to return them home to their families safely," Faison said. "Always be worthy of the uniform you wear. For Navy Medicine, that uniform also represents hope, caring, compassion, strength and dedication to those who look to us for help and support. And as you assume leadership positions, always be worthy of the privilege and responsibility of leadership. As leaders, a trust will be placed in your hands to care for those you have the privilege to lead."

NMETC manages Navy Medicine's logistic and enlisted and officer education and training programs, medical operational training for medical and medical support personnel deploying worldwide. NMETC is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global health care network of Navy medical professionals around the world who provide high-quality health care to eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support on the sea aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.