Cheryl Krueger

The Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, Illinois, was established in 1913 to train enlisted personnel of the United States Navy in medical skills, forming the backbone of the Navy’s Hospital Corps. Throughout the World Wars, Korean War, and Vietnam War, the school rapidly expanded, preparing tens of thousands of Hospital Corpsmen to serve with distinction both ashore and alongside Marines in combat zones. Renowned for its rigorous training, the school emphasized both medical proficiency and readiness for battlefield conditions. In 2011, the Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes was closed, and training was consolidated with other military medical training programs at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) in San Antonio, Texas.

Ocular Tech School at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, CA, has a distinguished history as a premier institution for training Navy ophthalmic technicians. Established to meet the Navy's growing need for specialized eye care, the school provides rigorous instruction in ocular anatomy, diagnostic procedures, and vision care. Graduates of the program support Navy, Marine Corps, and other military personnel worldwide, ensuring operational readiness and eye health. Over the decades, Ocular Tech School has adapted its curriculum to incorporate technological advancements and remains a vital component of military medical education.