Marine Corps

SILVER SPRING, Md. – Navy physicians from the Naval Medical Research & Development (NMR&D) enterprise, alongside colleagues in the Army and Air Force, highlighted the crucial role of overseas medical research laboratories at a presentation during the American College of Physicians (ACP) Tri-Service Chapters 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting on November 8.

The presentation, titled “Department of Defense Overseas Medical Research Laboratories,” explained service member and global health benefits of the research performed by six overseas Army and Navy military infectious disease laboratories.

Global Health Engagement (GHE) enhances the readiness of DoD medical forces by building partner nation capacity and promoting stability and security. Presenters discussed each overseas lab’s role, mission, recent accomplishments and contributions to force health protection for the U.S. military.

“GHE is defined by the DoD as health-related activities between a DoD entity and a partner nation with aims of enabling interoperability, building capacity and capability of our partners’ healthcare systems, and maintaining influence and access for the DoD,” explained Air Force Col. Charla Geist, one of the presenters, and GHE liaison to the Office of the Joint Surgeon General, National Guard Bureau. “The overseas labs, a constant presence of the DoD in their host nations, are a prime example of how effectively GHE meets its objectives while also serving readiness and force health protection roles for U.S. service members.”

Cmdr. Nehkonti Adams, an infectious diseases specialist assigned to Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC), Cmdr. Marshall Hoffman, an internal medicine specialist with U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) SOUTH in Lima, Peru, and Lt. Cmdr. Danielle Pannebaker, an infectious diseases specialist from NAMRU SOUTH, provided an overview of the NMR&D enterprise with a focus on Navy Medicine’s NAMRUs in Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.

In addition to NAMRU SOUTH, Navy presenters discussed the activities of NAMRU EURAFCENT, headquartered out of Sigonella, Italy, and NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, headquartered out of Singapore.

“Like other Navy and Army medicine overseas research labs, NAMRU SOUTH contributes to U.S. force health protection by studying the prevalence of infectious disease threats where service members deploy, and by researching improved ways to detect, prevent and treat these diseases,” explained Hoffman.

Army physicians Maj. Edgie-Mark Co, an internal medicine specialist from U.S. Army Medical Directorate – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS) in Bangkok, Thailand, and Col. David Saunders, director of the Translational Medicine Unit at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, spoke about the Army’s Medical Research & Development Command, and its labs in Asia, Africa and Europe. The labs discussed include USAMD-AFRIMS, U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate (USAMRD)-Africa in Kenya and USAMRD-Georgia in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“AFRIMS continues to be the premier DoD overseas medical research laboratory in Southeast Asia,” remarked Maj. Co. “It has made substantial contributions to global health by developing medical countermeasures, building local capacity, assisting with public health emergency responses and fostering collaborations and friendships within the INDOPACOM area of operations.”

Hoffman expressed enthusiasm about showcasing the labs’ histories and accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of the joint-service aspect of the ACP meeting.

“The purpose of this talk is to update our military internal medicine physician colleagues about the Army and Navy overseas labs,” he said. “These labs share a focus on studying infectious disease threats to improve force health protection for the U.S. military, but all of them do so in their own ways. It was a lot of fun to delve into the labs’ histories and accomplishments side-by-side in this meeting’s joint environment.”

The ACP Tri-Service Chapters Annual Scientific Meeting is a 3-day event that brings together internal medical physicians from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to exchange insights on the latest updates in their field.

The NMR&D enterprise, led by NMRC, is engaged in a broad spectrum of activity from basic science in the laboratory to field studies in austere and remote areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.

Stennis Space Center, Miss. – [Nov. 21] – Navy SEALs from the Special Operations Tactical Medic (SOT-M) course dedicated their quarterdeck to the memory of Special Warfare Operator First Class (SEAL) Kevin R. Ebbert, Nov. 17, during a special ceremony here. His fellow SEALs honored SO1 Ebbert’s extraordinary service and heroism as a SEAL and medic, particularly his final act of valor that earned him a posthumous Bronze Star.

The SOT-M course, a key component of the Naval Special Warfare Command, trains elite medics for special operations missions. Emphasizing medical and tactical proficiency, the course prepares operators for demanding environments worldwide.

SO1 Ebbert’s distinguished service in the Naval Special Warfare community was marked by exemplary courage and commitment. Born on January 23, 1980, in Azusa, California, and a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, Ebbert enlisted in the Navy in 2006. He swiftly rose through the ranks, exhibiting exceptional skill and dedication. His journey from musician to a decorated SEAL is a story of remarkable transformation and dedication.

Following SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) graduation, Ebbert received orders to the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Command (JSOMTC)/Navy Special Operations Medical Institute at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed the year-long Special Operations Combat Medic and Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman (SOIDC) course, graduating in May of 2009.

During his service, SO1 Ebbert was a member of SEAL Team Four (ST-4) and participated in numerous critical operations. His final deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM exemplified his bravery and tactical expertise.

The ceremony highlighted SO1 Ebbert’s heroic actions during this deployment, as detailed in his Bronze Star citation. On November 24, 2012, while leading a support element team during a foot patrol with combined Special Operations Kandak and U.S. Special Operations Forces, SO1 Ebbert’s team was ambushed. Despite being mortally wounded, he skillfully directed his team to safety, coordinated suppressive fire, and passed critical information to airborne assets. His selfless actions under fire saved lives and prevented further casualties, reflecting the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Commander Ryan Hall, undersea liaison to Special Operations Command, who served as SO1 Ebbert’s platoon commander, stated, “It is tragic, but it is utterly remarkable. Extraordinary. And now it is incumbent on we the living – those who have the privilege to not only caretake but also shepherd the ethos and the culture of our force – to memorialize him and to remember him, both out of duty and for inspiration.”

The quarterdeck dedication was attended by members of SEAL Team Four, Naval Special Warfare Center, Special Boat Team 22, Advance Training Command, Special Operations Tactical Medic, and Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School, family, and friends.

Commander Jay Sondhi, commanding officer of Advance Training Command said, “This dedication is an acknowledgement of all the hard work that it took to get to the completion of an important project. Building 2105, the new SOT-M schoolhouse, has been in the works for a while and I can think of no better way to mark its official completion than making the quarterdeck an everlasting memorial to the duty and sacrifice that NSW’s medics are committed to upholding for their brothers in arms.”

SO1 Ebbert is survived by his mother Charlie, sisters Samantha and Amy, and widow Ursula. Charlie reflected upon how the quarterdeck dedication to her son was an honor and appropriate to his character. “To be honored and loved by your peers. To be recognized by your work, your actions, your character. What could be a higher recognition? And who better to hold up as an example for this program? You want the guy who the teammates asked to be on the mission in case they get hurt. I know Kevin would feel honored that this program would become his legacy in the Teams.”

SO1 Ebbert’s decorations include two Bronze Stars (with Combat Distinguishing device), Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), NATO Medal, Expert Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal.