FORT IRWIN, Calif.  –   Collaboration took center stage in the high desert as Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) hosted leaders and subject matter experts from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms for comprehensive capabilities tour and strategic engagement.

The visiting team included Captain Janiese A. Cleckley, the commanding officer of NMRTC Twentynine Palms and director of Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms with 26 years of senior medical executive experience, and Master Chief Richard A. Moreno, command master chief, whose operational and enlisted leadership perspective brought depth to discussions on readiness, patient care, and joint opportunities.

Throughout the visit, the group explored WACH’s unique role in supporting a remote installation, receiving briefings and hands-on demonstrations across multiple departments—from Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) and the Army Wellness Center to emergency services, surgical capabilities, and inpatient care.

As one of Navy Medicine’s key readiness platforms supporting the Marine Corp’s largest training installations in the country, NMRTC Twentynine Palms shares a mission closely aligned with WACH: delivering safe, high-quality care while sustaining operational readiness. Specifically, NMRTC Twentynine Palms is a dedicated to providing medical care to ensure all service members are “Fit to fight tonight.”

Building Readiness Through Partnership

During the engagement, Capt. Cleckley emphasized the importance of strengthening connections between geographically separated military treatment facilities and especially those that are remote with limited capabilities. She highlighted the need to expand cross-training and joint resource utilization to bolster skills sustainment and readiness.

“In environments like ours, the tyranny of distance can’t be a barrier, it has to be a bridge. By sharing resources, expertise, and training opportunities, we create a stronger, more agile medical force that ensure our service members receive the right care at the right time, no matter where they are —ultimately keeping the warfighter in the fight.”

The visit highlighted several opportunities for collaboration, particularly in training, staffing flexibility, skills sustainment, and specialty care integration—key components of sustaining readiness in remote and high-demand environments.

Optimizing Soldier Performance Through H2F

Fort Irwin’s Holistic Health and Fitness program also took the spotlight, showcasing its integrated approach to performance optimization.

MAJ Seaburn, H2F Dietician, underscored the program’s impact:

“H2F is about fueling the whole Soldier—not just physically, but mentally and nutritionally. When we align performance, prevention, and education, we’re not just treating injuries, we’re helping build resilience before they happen.”

Expanding Surgical Readiness Together

In the operating room, discussions turned toward hands-on training and shared clinical experiences. The WACH surgical team demonstrated its use of advanced training tools, including the cut suit, to maintain trauma readiness in a low-volume environment.

LTC LeDoux, Chief of Surgery, highlighted a forward-looking partnership:

“Our teams are already working to establish cross-training opportunities with Twentynine Palms in the coming months. This kind of collaboration allows us to maintain proficiency, share best practices, and ultimately improve outcomes for both of our patient populations.”

A Shared Mission in the Desert

From the emergency department to inpatient care areas, the visit reinforced a common understanding: in remote locations like Fort Irwin and Twentynine Palms, innovation and partnership are not optional, they’re essential.

As the tour concluded, leaders from both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, ensuring that whether Army or Navy, every patient benefits from a unified, ready, and resilient Military Health System.

Out here, where the desert stretches wide and unforgiving, teamwork is a lifeline.