Medical Readiness Command, Europe

From University Mascot to U.S. Army Officer Landstuhl, Germany - After graduating from Louisiana State University and spending most of his time as a mascot, Public Health Command Europe Soldier decides to join the U.S. Army as an environmental science and engineering officer. Texas-native 2nd Lt. Nathan Istre joined the U.S. Army straight after college in 2021 as a combat medic and later commissioned as a 72 D, known as environmental science and engineering officer. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e7mnvPWy

The Secretary of the Army has appointed BRIGADIER GENERAL ROGER S. GIRAUD as the 21st Chief of the Medical Service Corps. This appointment, effective immediately, recognizes his exceptional leadership ability and significant contributions to Army Medicine. Brig. Gen. Giraud is currently serving as Director, Defense Health Network Europe. Giraud is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1993. He earned his Master of Health Administration from Baylor University in 2004 and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in 2015. His awards include the Legion of Merit (2 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), and Meritorious Service Medal (1 SLC). Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Giraud on his new assignment!

31st Annual Multinational Military Medical Engagement in Poland strengthens allied and partner nation relations More than 200 military and civilian medical experts from 16 allied and partner nations, including senior Polish military medical officials, gathered in Wroclaw, Poland Sept. 16 - 18 for the 31st Annual Multinational Military Medical Engagement (MMME). #StrongerTogether Click here to read more: https://lnkd.in/eZayNxnA

Jamaican native joins U.S. Army - earns U.S. Citizenship By Kirk Frady, Medical Readiness Command, Europe Public Affairs Growing up in a small rural town in the parish of Trelawny, Jamaica, U.S. Army Spc. Daniella Hall had always dreamed of living and working in the United States. That dream finally came true when she moved to the United States in 2017 with her mother. “Shortly after arriving in the United States, I enrolled in college and worked at an Amazon warehouse part time in Florida,” said Hall. “After working there for a while, I decided that I wanted to further my career and become a dental specialist. So, I joined the Army in February 2022.” In 2022, Hall enlisted in the U.S. Army from Lakeland, Florida. “I attended basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and then moved on to Advanced Individual Training (AIT), at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas,” added Hall. For many young adults, joining the U.S. military offers them an opportunity to learn a technical skill or trade, and become part of a team. And that’s exactly what the Army provided Spc. Hall. “Not only did I want to expand my horizons and learn new things, but the Army also gave me the opportunity to meet new and like-minded people,” Hall added. “I am very grateful for the opportunities the Army has given me thus far, and I am also extremely proud to now call myself a U.S. citizen.” After completing Advanced Individual Training in early 2023, Hall arrived at her first duty station at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy where she currently serves as a dental specialist at the Vicenza Army Dental Clinic. “Spc. Hall is a great asset to our team,” said U.S. Army Colonel (Dr.) Kevin Parker, commander of Dental Health Activity-Italy. “Her calm and direct approach to life in general is very refreshing as she has a great attitude, is willing to learn, and creates a positive environment which is experienced by those working with her.” On August 19, 2024, Hall was finally able to make the second part of her dream come true. She successfully passed her U.S. Citizenship interview and was sworn in as a citizen of the United States.

SEMBACH KASERNE, Germany – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus Gonzalez, command sergeant major for Medical Readiness Command, Europe shares his philosophy on leadership, teamwork, and accountability at the U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe Strategic Offsite held Sept. 10-12 at the Sembach Community Activity Center. Army Public Health personnel from across Europe took part in the 3-day team building event. Public Health Command Europe is responsible for providing comprehensive military public health programs in support of garrisons, training areas, and contingency/combat forces operating in the EUCOM, CENTCOM and AFRICOM areas of operation to sustain force health protection and readiness. Those programs include medical entomology, environmental health engineering, food and water sanitation, veterinary care, industrial hygiene and occupational health, and preventive medicine readiness planning and training.

SEMBACH KASERNE, Germany – U. S. Army Brig. Gen. Roger Giraud, commander of Medical Readiness Command, Europe and director of Defense Health Network Europe, provided opening remarks at the U.S. Army Public Health Command Europe Strategic Offsite held Sept. 10 - 12 at the Sembach Community Activity Center. During his remarks, Giraud emphasized the importance of teamwork, collaboration, communication, accountability and transformation to the group of Army Public Health personnel from across Europe. The 3-day event focused on the importance of collective input from leaders at all levels and the development of new systems and processes to improve the organization.

Please join us as we observe Patriot Day annually on September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance for the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 attacks. It not only fortified Americans with pride and patriotism, it also created a spirit of service in the hearts of a new generation.

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise greater awareness of resources for Army Soldiers, Civilians and Family members who may need crisis support or want to help someone they know. For more information, listen to the AFN radio interview with Lt. Col. Mark Wesseler, Director of Psychological Health for Medical Readiness Command, Europe.

LUANDA, Angola - U.S. Army Col. (Dr.) Claude Burnett (right), director of global health engagements for Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Alberto De Almeida, director of health services for the Angolan Armed Forces during a subject matter exchange engagement Aug. 19-23 in Angola. The medical exchange focused on advanced medical skills required for rapid response during emerging disease outbreaks with the goal of increasing interoperability regarding outbreak management, surveillance, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The medical exchange was conducted on behalf of Southern European Task Force-Africa and Africa Command. Also pictured, from left to right, are Dr. David Blaney, AFRICOM Public Health and U.S. Army Col. (Dr.) Sean Dooley, a critical care/pulmonary physician from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Roger Giraud, commander of Medical Readiness Command, Europe and director of Defense Health Network Europe, thanks soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines for their participation in the 2024 Military Medicine Ball held Aug. 21 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The inaugural ball was a tremendous success with more than 400 participants from across Europe taking part.