DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY EUREALI or AND sunoenv 77am BOULEVARD FALLS CHURCH VA 22042 6320 Set October 26, 2018 Ms Lynda Kieman Dear Ms Kicruan: Thank you for your heartfelt letter of October 10, 2018 atlvocatina that the events leading to the unexpected death of your son be integrated into hospital corpsnien training in honor of the memory of Private First Class (PFC) W. Eeckel USMC, a dedicated S. Marine who epitomized the selfless and caring attributes that made him an inspiring leader to others. Iso appreciated the time you took to describe to me the character of your beloxed son and the difference he made in the lives of others. The potential he demonstrated at a young age and his loyalty to the Marine Corps were an inspiration to me. Iwas moved and saddened to hear of the events surrounding your son's death. U.S. Navy Medicine and the Marine Corps are deeply enneerned with the welfare of our Service memhers. As Surgeon General ofthe Nm y, 1 do not take when reports of failure and missed opportunities in health care arc received. Navy Medicine strives to piovlde high quality health care to its Service members and their families. It is of great importance to me that our Navy hospital corpsmen learn of the events surrounding the unexpected death of Becket in order to improve the quality of health care they will deliver in the future. We do not ever want to have a Marine 0r Sailor experience the circumstance: you described, Based on the request raised in your letter. lhave reached out to the Director of Academics and Curriculum Management Department at the Naval Medical Education, Training, and Logistics Command (NMETLC) in San Antonio, Texas, Captain Terri Kinsey. Nurse Corps, U. Navy. The approved Hospital Corpsman Training Program currently includes 124 didactic and 117.5 hours of praet a1 instruction addressing a variety of patient assessment dynamics. Medical scenarios are incorporated into the instructional delivery to help students under-stand the value of both the art and science at patient assessment, There is certainly an npportunily to honor the memory ot PFC W. Becket Kiernan by using the tragic events that led to his death to prepare future hospital corpsmen how to better support one of their Own in distress so that what happened to Becket does not happen to another Marine, Captain Kinsey and I extend our heartfelt concern and condolences to you and your family for the untimely loss of an exceptionally dedicated and bright U.S. Marine, the epitome of loyalty, honor, and service to the country he loved. Please accept my gratitude for