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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 20, 2020

MEDCoE conducts virtual ‘battlefield circulation’ with higher headquarters

By Tish Williamson U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Public Affairs

The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston hosted Lt. Gen. James Rainey, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center commanding general at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for a Virtual Battlefield Circulation visit Oct. 19.

Maj. Gen. Dennis LeMaster, MEDCoE commander, hosted the event with more than a dozen other key MEDCoE leaders. In-person attendees wore masks and adhered to social distance guidelines during the event.

During the formal portion of the virtual visit, MEDCoE provided Rainey with an update on their new mission statement, lines of effort, enduring priorities and reorganization. The group also discussed how to develop leaders and drive change in Army Medicine.

The visit is a recurring, quarterly touchpoint with commanders so that the centers can highlight current initiatives, successes, and issues to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center commander and receive his updated guidance.

Due to COVID-19, these visits, which would typically occur in person, are occurring via teleconference until the Health Protection Condition, or HPCON, is lowered. JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is currently at HPCON BRAVO PLUS.

Rainey last physically visited MEDCoE and JBSA in January 2020 to host the MEDCoE change of command ceremony where LeMaster assumed command of the organization. 

Before the virtual visit began, LeMaster also recognized three individuals to highlight their specific instances of excellence in the presence of the CAC commander and MEDCoE staff:

  • Spc. Juan Mojica, an Advanced Individual Training, or AIT, Soldier at the MEDCoE was honored for intervening when a close friend and fellow Soldier expressed a desire to hurt himself; possibly saving the individual’s life.
  • Lt. Col. Johnny Paul, chief, Combat Medic Specialist Training Program, or CMSTP, was highlighted for implementing several initiatives in 2020 that have allowed 68W combat medic training to, not only survive, but thrive leading to an increased pass rate that saves the Army tens of thousands of dollars and putting more medics in operational assignments where they are needed most.
  • Tammy Griswold, chief, MEDCoE Quality Assurance Office, or QAO, was recognized for being lauded as a model QA program across TRADOC.

MEDCoE is one of 10 Centers of Excellence under CAC and the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.