04/10/2026
Navy Nurse Corps Chief Visits NMRTC Twentynine Palms 🩺⚓
Rear Adm. Robert J. Hawkins, Chief of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, visited Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms April 7 alongside Deputy Chief of the Navy Nurse Corps Capt. Tracey R. Giles, and Master Chief Lamar Bethel, command master chief of Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, engaging with leadership and staff to discuss the state of Navy Medicine and the future of the force.
During the visit, Hawkins and his team met with NMRTC Twentynine Palms commanding officer and Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms director Capt. Janiese Cleckley, interim executive officer and deputy director Cmdr. William “Bill” Lawson, Master Chief Richard Moreno, command master chief and senior enlisted leader, and chief nursing officer Capt. Mark Miller. The group received a command brief highlighting the mission and capabilities of NMRTC Twentynine Palms before meeting with hospital directors for a question-and-answer session on key issues impacting Navy Medicine.
Hawkins, Giles, and Bethel also hosted an all–Nurse Corps officer call, conducted one-on-one career development sessions with Nurse Corps officers, and toured the hospital to meet with Sailors and staff across departments. Throughout the visit, Hawkins and his team gained firsthand insight into how NMRTC Twentynine Palms supports operational readiness and keeps the warfighter in the fight.