October 21, 2011

Page 9

METC at Full Operational Status, Pays Tribute to Heroes and Heritage

Lisa Braun Medical Education and Training Campus Public Affairs

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas The Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) announced it has reached full operational capability (FOC), a significant achievement in the nearly six years since the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) directed the co-location of virtually all enlisted medical training to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, with the potential of transitioning to a Tri-Service education and training effort. The announcement came, fittingly, on Sept. 15, the BRAC deadline to attain FOC status. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Kevin Lambing, METC Command Chief, recognized various organizations and individuals integral in standing up the METC organization. As with any mission, this one was not possible without the hard work and dedication of so many," he said. "Frankly spoken, it takes a village. Our journey has been long, but our success will be enduring. Most importantly this morning, thank you to the METC staff. You accepted the challenges and sought out the solutions. You have vectored this one of a kind, world-class institution and the graduates who will leave here for success. During the ceremony, Heritage Hall and Heroes Hall, the last of the five METC instructional facilities to be officially named, were dedicated in honor of the corpsmen, medics and techs whose sacrifices and courageous actions had a profound impact on the men and women serving around the world. The other three instructional facilities have each been named, posthumously, for a member of the medical enlisted force from the Army, Navy and Air Force, who had made a positive impact in military medicine. Rear Adm. Bob Kiser, METC Commandant, paid tribute to the enlisted medical force past, present, and future.

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U.S. Navy photo by Dewite R.Wehrman

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas Rear Adm. Bob Kiser, Commandant, Medical Education and Training Campus (METC), announced that METC has met the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's imposed deadline to reach full operational capability (FOC) status at a ceremony to recognize this achievement. Two Medical Instructional Facilities, Heroes Hall and Heritage Hall, were also officially named during the ceremony. METC was established as part of the 2005 BRAC legislation that directed virtually all enlisted medical training to be co-located at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, becoming the largest medical technical education center in the world. METC's mission is to produce the world's finest medics, corpsmen, and techs, supporting our nation's ability to engage globally. The science will change and the techniques of medical intervention will change, but our commitment to your example of dedication, selfless service, and commitment will not," he said. "Those things are eternal. We at the Medical Education and Training Campus are proud to claim them as our own, to cherish and nurture them as the treasures they are, and to pass them on to all who learn the healing art in this place. After co-locating five major medical learning institutions at Fort Sam Houston, constructing 11 new buildings, renovating six Army Medical Department Center & School (AMEDD C&S) facilities to support METC students, and spending over $1 billion on equipment, furnishings and construction, METC has become the largest medical technical education center in the world. Students now enrolled in METC would have previously attended the 882nd Training Group (TRG) from Sheppard Air Force Base; the Naval School of Health Sciences (NSHS) from San Diego, Calif.; the Naval School of Health Sciences (NSHS) from Portsmouth, Va.; the Navy Hospital Corps School (NHCS) from Great Lakes, Ill.; or the AMEDD C&S at Fort Sam Houston. The METC footprint covers more than 2 million square feet and cost over $1.2 billion to build and equip. After construction began on July 21, 2008, three student dormitories, five instructional buildings, a dining facility - the largest in the Department of Defense outside of the service academies a fitness center, and a Navy and Air Force shared command building were built. More than 24,000 students are projected to graduate each year, with an average daily student load of 8,000. By service, the student breakdown includes approximately 45 percent Army, 31 percent Navy and 24 percent Air Force. METC also employs an operating staff and faculty of more than 1,400. The estimated total economic impact on the city of San Antonio from the all the local BRAC projects, including METC, is estimated at $13.3 billion per year. METC produces the worlds finest medics, corpsmen, and techs, supporting our nations ability to engage globally.