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Story and photo by Thomas Warner
LRMC Public Affairs
***image1***Frances Rivera is in place at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center as the hospital’s new command sergeant major, seeking to continue the productive unification of the various branches of service represented at the hospital.
“With the mission as it is now it’s important that our performance as a joint staff be cohesive and productive,” Sergeant Major Rivera said. “I think it can always get better but I’m happy with what’s happening here.
“We are a unique spot here, with Navy, Air Force and Army working together. They may have a sprinkle of Navy at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) because of their closeness to Bethesda (National Naval Medical Center), but it’s mostly Army personnel there. Brooke Army Medical Center is almost all Air Force and Army.
“With what we’re doing here, it’s not just the servicemembers but the civilians, the local nationals and the people in GS (and NSPS) positions. They seem committed to the mission and their drive toward that commitment is outstanding.”
Sergeant Major Rivera served previously as a brigade Sergeant Major at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas and was more recently dual-hatted, with stints as U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Heidelberg Sergeant Major and the Sergeant Major for 30th Medical Brigade in Heidelberg.
A native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, she entered active duty in July 1980 with basic training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Her career duties and assignments have mostly involved work in the medical service realm and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Regents University and a master’s in health care administration from Webster University.
“Having already worked in a medical center, I understand this job very well,” Sergeant Major Rivera said. “I feel like I am ready to execute.”
With regard specifically to Soldier skills at Landstuhl, Sergeant Major Rivera said she would like to see more emphasis placed on “going back to basics with our non-commissioned officers, our customs and traditions.”
Referring to the Army’s Sergeant Major Authority as having an NCO vision, she said she hoped to combine some of that philosophy with the NCO creed and the Army Values.
“We need to make sure our code of conduct is a basis for our daily behavior,” Sergeant Major Rivera said. “We are developing our future leaders – the people who will replace us.”
