U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 5, 2017) - HM2 (FMF) Stetson D. Thomas joined Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade's team in April 2016 to serve as the Headquarters Company corpsman where he maintains medical and dental readiness for a forward-deployed expeditionary command.
Prior to his current position, Thomas spent the last nine years as a mortality surveillance leading petty officer and general duty hospital corpsman. As the Headquarters Company corpsman, he's responsible for monitoring medical and dental readiness, coordinating with the Naval Support Activity Bahrain medical clinic and communicating key health initiatives to leadership and senior enlisted. He also helps subordinate commands by coordinating patient support to ensure that TF 51/5's staff remains a medically-ready unified team able to execute its crisis response mission within the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.
"The most enjoyable part of my job is the balancing act," Thomas said. "Knowing what is required and developing creative ways to accomplish those tasks when the next day is not like the last."
Just as TF 51/5 is entrusted with rapidly aggregating crisis response capabilities and positioning Navy and Marine Corps forces throughout the CENTCOM AOR, Thomas recognizes that trust is a key factor in his success as a corpsman.
"I believe people who serve in a support staff role are essential in the military and within the command to help achieve mission success," said Thomas. "When you operate in the grace God has given you, you will be prosperous."
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas is recognized for his expertise in the medical field and wears the Joint Service Commendation Medal and four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals. A lifelong learner, he's earned his Associate of Science in Health Science from Kaplan University, is a certified medical administrative assistant and completed the Lean Six Sigma yellow belt certification.