Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, finished a two-day visit to Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston JBSA-FSH) March 31.

Nathan and Navy Medicine Force Master Chief Sherman Boss were welcomed by Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education and Training Command (NMETC), toured medical training and research centers, and met with Navy Medicine Information Technology (IT) personnel.

Nathan said that since his last visit to San Antonio Navy Medicine and Navy Medicine Education and Training commands in 2012, the education and training footprint has grown substantially, resulting in significant contribution to Navy Medicine's goals of readiness, value and jointness.

"We're much bigger now," he said. "You're much more robust. The tactical mission you're doing is superb."
Nathan and Boss also spoke with Sailors from Navy Medicine Information Systems Support Activity (NAMISSA), and visited the Naval Medical Research Unit - San Antonio (NAMRU-SA). Nathan emphasized the continued growth in technology and research in Navy Medicine.

"We must provide a robust presence in training, education, informatics and logistics in a new world order," said Nathan. "And we have to harness this amazing collective intellect and power of our young Sailors who are coming up, who learn differently, who get care differently."

While there, Nathan visited the Navy Medicine Training Support Center (NMTSC) and the tri-service Medical Education and Training Campus (METC). He also toured a Navy student barracks and several classrooms, attended a Navy/Air Force Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program (BMTCP) student graduation ceremony, and hosted an all-hands call with Navy staff and instructors.

"I've talked to the students and the other leaders here, and they are just overwhelmed from the Navy can-do spirit," said Nathan. "You've made a huge impression on this Army/Air Force town. They know the Navy's here to play and do it right."

NMTSC is an echelon four command and reports directly to NMETC, which manages Navy Medicine's formal education and training programs. Both are 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 aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

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