A decorated U.S. Navy captain, Mathew Loe, has been relieved of his command at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Lemoore in California, with officials citing a "loss of confidence" in his leadership. The removal occurred on August 7, approximately one year after Loe assumed the position.
Rear Adm. Kevin Brown, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific, made the decision to relieve Capt. Loe. The Navy has not provided further details regarding the specific reasons for the loss of confidence. The command oversees Naval Health Clinic Lemoore at Naval Air Station Lemoore and is responsible for preparing and training medical personnel for operational deployments, serving over 32,000 active-duty personnel, retirees, family members, and civilian beneficiaries.
Capt. Robin Bennett, the command's executive officer, has been appointed as the interim commanding officer. Capt. Loe has been reassigned to Naval Medical Forces Pacific in San Diego.
Loe, a Texas native, has a lengthy military and medical career. He earned multiple degrees in nursing, including a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch, a Master of Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Texas Tech University Health Science Center. Before joining the Navy, he worked as a civilian nurse. His military service includes a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008, where he led a training team supporting Afghan Army personnel and NATO troops. Prior to his command at Lemoore, he served as officer-in-charge of the Branch Health Clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In 2009, he was recognized as the Association of the United States Navy’s Bea Ratner Nurse Corps Junior Officer of the Year.
The Navy stated that the change in command would not affect the operational readiness or daily functions of the command.