Marcia Moate

The Naval School of Health Sciences Portsmouth was established in Portsmouth, Virginia, as part of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to training highly skilled medical personnel. Originally founded in 1972, the school provided advanced education and technical training for Navy corpsmen, dental technicians, and other enlisted medical specialties. Over the decades, it played a crucial role in preparing Navy medical staff for service in both peacetime and combat operations worldwide. In 2005, the school was realigned under the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) as part of a broader consolidation of military medical training programs.

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, located in Portsmouth, Virginia, is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the U.S. Navy, first commissioned in 1830. Throughout its history, the center has treated service members during every major American conflict, from the Civil War through modern-day operations. During World War II, it rapidly expanded its capacity, serving as a critical hub for wounded sailors and Marines returning from overseas. Today, the center is a major teaching hospital, providing comprehensive care to military personnel, retirees, and their families while maintaining readiness to support operational forces worldwide.

Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), known as the "Gladiators," was established on April 27, 1984, at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. The squadron serves as the U.S. Navy's East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, tasked with training new naval aviators and maintenance personnel. Over the decades, VFA-106 has played a critical role in preparing pilots and aircrew for deployment to operational fleet squadrons. The unit relocated to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, in 1999, continuing its mission as a cornerstone of naval aviation training.

The Naval Medical Corps, also known as Corpsmen, are Navy personnel responsible for providing medical care to sailors and Marines. They receive specialized training in emergency medicine, trauma care, and other healthcare services to provide support to military operations both on land and at sea. Corpsmen play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of military personnel during training exercises, deployments, and in combat situations. They work closely with medical officers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care to service members.