Last modified Wed., November 28, 2007 - 04:47 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 29, 2007

Vinci takes NMSC helm

By MC2 Daniel Gay, Staff Writer

Rear Adm. Richard Vinci (left), Chief of the Navy Dental Corps, prepares to assume command of Navy Medicine Support Command from Rear Adm. Carol Turner during the Nov. 16 combined change of command and retirement ceremony held at NAS Jacksonville. Turner retired after more than 30 years of service. Naval Hospital Jacksonville Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) R. A. Ortiz (center) was the chaplain for the ceremony. Photo by MC1 Nick De La Cruz

Command of Navy Medicine Support Command (NMSC) changed leaders Nov. 16 when Rear Adm. Richard Vinci relieved Rear Adm. Carol Turner during a change of command ceremony at NAS Jacksonville.

Turner held command over NMSC since it was established in November 2005. This makes Vinci the second leader to take control of the NMSC mission. "NMSC is relatively new to Navy medicine," said Vinci. "We regionalized our hospitals and now we regionalized the support function and I'm just as proud as can be to be the second commander of this unit."

This was the first change of command for NMSC and it also marked the first time since the 1980's that two active duty admirals have been based at NAS Jacksonville. Turner had commanded NMSC from her previous flag command headquarters in Bethesda, Md. NMSC may have its headquarters based at NAS Jacksonville but its mission is global.

"The five components that make up NMSC - logistics, research, training and education, public health and information technology are located across the entire world," said Vinci.

After the ceremony, NMSC also held a retirement ceremony for Turner. Turner gave a warm speech as she admitted that for her it was time to move on from the Navy. After the speech, Turner removed her sword and presented it to her husband symbolizing that her fight was complete.

The NMSC headquarters remains at NAS Jacksonville and is ready and willing to perform their mission under their new command.