NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. – During a change of command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Capt. Kimberly P. Toone relieved Capt. Matthew W. Hebert as commanding officer of Navy Medicine Operational Training Command (NMOTC¬), September 30, 2022.
Capt. Hebert served as the NMOTC commanding officer since August 2019, and is cited as providing exemplary leadership and guiding the command through a demanding period of unforeseen difficulty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hebert’s command came at the beginning of the health crisis and would allow both the Navy’s healthcare providers and warfighters to continue providing surgical, medical, mental health, dental, and public health support, by facilitating the operational and survival training needed to support the Navy’s vital mission sets. During his time at NMOTC, Hebert commanded six detachments with multiple training programs across 22 training sites and 695 staff members, most being spread across the breadth of the United States.
Reflecting on his tour at NMOTC, Capt. Hebert said "We have a fantastic team of active duty, civilian and contract staff, who make NMOTC the incredible command it is and allow us to complete any task sent our way. They are professionals and it has been a privilege to serve with them. Capt. Toone is inheriting a great team, and I know she'll be as honored, successful and blessed as I was.”
Rear Adm. Cynthia Kuehner, commander of Naval Medical Forces Support Command (NMFSC), was the presiding officer during the ceremony and presented Hebert with the Legion of Merit award for his outstanding service. As she presented Hebert the award, Kuehner cited his specific accomplishments such as guiding staff in the completion of a multi-year transformational change of organizational and system requirements, integrating Defense Health Agency and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery training, and contributing to the successful standup of the Corpsman Trauma Training Program (HMTT).
Additionally, the citation noted that Hebert demonstrated exemplary leadership with his command being directly responsible for producing over 60,000 graduates both foreign and domestic of operational and aviation survival courses. Hebert led the command during unprecedented events including an active shooter, two hurricanes, all during a worldwide pandemic to support critical deployments and response efforts for afore mentioned pandemic.
“I am especially proud of your achievements and the many accomplishments of your complex command,” said Kuehner. “You have led with courage and are turning over a great command.”
The ceremony proceeded to the reading of orders of Capt. Toone as the incoming commanding officer of NMOTC and then the ceremonial turning over of command performed with Rear Adm. Kuehner. After assuming command, Toone approached the podium and spoke as the new NMOTC commanding officer to address the command and guests.
Speaking about the metaphorical “barrels of goodwill and competence”, and the important role they have played in her personal life and that of her naval career, Toone noted that she would not be where she is today if not for the barrels of goodwill and competence of those around her. Toone also said how thankful she was to have been entrusted with the Navy’s most valuable asset, it’s Sailors.
“I’m so honored to be here as the Commanding Officer,” said Toone. "During this time as your CO I will do my best to continue the tradition of competence and goodwill.”
Capt. Toone is a graduate of the University of Florida’s School of Medicine. Her most recent tour was as Executive Officer for USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) Military Treatment Facility where she cross-decked to USN Mercy (T-AH 19) for the execution of Pacific Partnership 2022. Toone’s career spans 29 years in which she has deployed for multiple humanitarian missions, Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn of which she was the Senior Medical Officer and Surgeon for Carrier Strike Group Two (CSG 2). Capt. Toone has also been previously assigned as the Force Surgeon for Naval Air Forces Atlantic where she was responsible for the medical support for all Naval Aviation assets on the east coast of the continental U.S.
Once the change of command ceremony was complete, focus shifted to Capt. Hebert’s retirement after 30 years of honorable service. As the presiding officer, Rear Adm. Kuehner focused her remarks on Hebert’s family and friends.
“He will leave an indelible mark on Navy Medicine,” said Kuehner. She would go on to say that the lives of many are changed for the better due to Hebert’s decision to lead a life in service of 30 years to the nation and it’s Navy.
“We thank you and your family who generously shared you with us these past 30 years,” said Kuehner.
In his closing speech Hebert would remark what a pleasure, honor and privilege it was to have served as the Commanding Officer of NMOTC. “I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute and every facet this command has offered,” said Hebert. I am a better leader, a better Sailor and a better person for it and from the interactions I’ve had with everyone here aboard NMOTC.”
He added that “it has been an incredibly rewarding journey and I’ll remember this tour as the very best of what service in the Navy is all about – those we serve with, the mission and the ever-present drive to succeed. Thank you for the privilege of being your commanding officer.”
For more information about this article visit: https://www.med.navy.mil/Navy-Medicine-Operational-Training-Command/
For more news from NMOTC visit: http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NMOTC
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2022 12:06 |
| Story ID: | 430761 |
| Location: | PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NMOTC Holds Chane of Command Ceremony, by PO1 Russell Lindsey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
