Over the past twenty years, the United States has been involved in a range of conflicts, placing significant demands on the individuals who are deployed, often multiple times. These individuals have borne the brunt of civilian decisions regarding when, how and where to use force, as well as what the goals of these conflicts should be. The challenges of war are not often well communicated to civilian policymakers. This series seeks to engage with military personnel and gain a broader perspective of the challenges they face.
Derek Loughrey served 10 years in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. He trained in field medicine and deployed as a platoon medic to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2013 with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and to Okinawa, Japan in 2018 with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. He also instructed Marines and Sailors in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) throughout his career. Derek left the Navy in 2021 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in information science at the University of Maryland College Park. He graduated in 2024 and is now a Master of Public Policy Candidate at UMD School of Public Policy. Derek has a wonderful wife named Tori and an awesome banana loving son named Killi.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Christofer Garcia graduated from Wiggins High School in Wiggins, Colorado, in 2009. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in July 2021 from Excelsior University. His initial assignment was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, where he honed his foundational nursing skills as a staff nurse on the Medical/Surgical ward, specializing in neurological care. He later advanced to the Emergency Department, focusing on patient care in triage and trauma settings.
Before commissioning, LTJG Garcia served as a Hospital Corpsman with a strong emphasis on operational assignments. His first duty station was in 2011 with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in Twentynine Palms, California. There he served as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman and deployed on an eight-month mission to the Helmand Province Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014, he transferred to Naval Hospital Bremerton, where he led a 20-bed labor and delivery ward as the Leading Petty Officer. During this time, he deployed to the Central Command for a six-month rotation at the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar Afghanistan. There, he provided critical care to injured NATO coalition, Afghan Nationals, military members, and civilians. His exceptional performance earned recognition from the Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major of Train Advise Assist Command-South (TAAC-S) after several mass casualty incidents.
In 2017, LTJG Garcia was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Expeditionary Support Unit One, providing medical support during deep-sea-dive, helo-jump, and demolitions for EOD Group One and six EOD Mobile Units across the West Coast including Hawaii and Guam. He also deployed to Central Command in support of EOD Mobile Unit 11. In 2020, he served as the Leading Petty Officer, MEDEVAC Coordinator, and Navy Liaison at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he led a team supporting over 200 units across Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and various ships assigned to the 5th and 6th Fleets coordinating care for deployed wounded service members.
In 2022, LTJG Garcia was commissioned into the Navy Nurse Corps where he serves as an ER/Trauma/En-Route Care Nurse.
His personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, two Global War on Terrorism Medals, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
This event is generously supported by the Institute for Public Leadership.