Navy Medicine Enterprise Launches to Boost Readiness and Warfighting Capabilities

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby has greenlit the creation of the Navy Medicine Enterprise (NME). Set to enhance the operational efficiency of Navy Medicine, the NME aims to prioritize health service support requirements for senior fleet leadership.

“The commitment of Navy Medicine to both operational and preventive care is crucial in sustaining our force,” stated Kilby. “Setting standards of care—from physical and mental health to training and education—is essential. Ensuring our naval medical forces are properly manned, trained, and equipped means we’re ready now and for future challenges.”

The U.S. Navy Surgeon General will take the helm of the NME, bringing together various command structures under a unified voice. Rear Adm. Darin Via, U.S. Navy Surgeon General and Chief of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, emphasized, “Navy Medicine warfighters are integrated across every facet of warfighting, whether providing health services with the fleet or from the foundation. The NME allows us to ensure we are addressing the needs of the fleet, not only through my authorities as the Surgeon General but also aligned across the authorities of seven resource sponsors, three system commands, and every type command.”

NME’s mission encompasses the readiness and physical and mental health of all warfighters. This initiative aims to prevent illness and injury while maximizing baseline human performance. Through standardized quality of care, policy, education, training, and medical force delivery, NME will treat and rehabilitate warfighters post-illness and injury.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, highlighted the initiative’s importance, noting, “Health services are the backbone of effective warfighting in the U.S. Navy, ensuring that every Sailor and Marine is mission-ready and resilient. The Navy Medicine Enterprise stands as a crucial pillar, providing comprehensive support to fleet commanders by mitigating risks, optimizing human factors, and maintaining peak operational health readiness.”

The foundation of the NME process will hinge on stakeholders and organizations central to the warfare improvement program. Collaboration with resource sponsors is another key element, aiming to align, reduce duplication, and achieve organizational goals.

The Chief of Naval Operations established the Fleet Readiness Enterprise construct in 2002 to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of fleet units and forces. This construct allows for a more comprehensive approach to developing fleet recommendations regarding warfighting capabilities and programming.

Navy Medicine, which comprises more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian healthcare professionals, provides ongoing expeditionary medical support to warfighters on, below, and above the sea, as well as ashore.