Naval Officer Relieved of Command in California

A well-regarded naval officer has been removed from his leadership role at a significant military medical facility in California, just slightly over a year into his tenure. Officials cited a “loss of confidence” in his leadership but haven’t elaborated further.

Capt. Matthew Roe was relieved of his position as the commander of Naval Medical Readiness Training Command Lemoore on August 7 by Rear Admiral Kevin Brown, who oversees Naval Medical Command, Pacific, according to a statement from the Navy.

The military indicated that this leadership change will not disrupt the operations of the command. This facility manages the Lemoore Naval Health Clinic located at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California’s Central Valley.

The Navy assured that “CO relief does not affect the command’s operational readiness.”

Capt. Robin Bennett has stepped in as the interim commander, while Roe has been temporarily reassigned to the Pacific Naval Medical Unit in San Diego.

The Lemoore command caters to over 32,000 active-duty personnel, veterans, family members, and civilian beneficiaries associated with both land and operational commands.

In addition to offering routine medical services through the Lemoore Naval Health Clinic, the command is also tasked with training Navy medical personnel for operational readiness.

Roe assumed leadership in 2025 and arrived with an extensive military and medical background. Originally from Texas, he earned a bachelor’s in nursing science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1995, followed by a master’s in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2001.

Later, he obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2012.

Before joining the Navy, Roe served as a civilian nurse and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. During this deployment, he was a training team leader who oversaw operations supporting over 3,000 Afghan military personnel and 400 NATO troops. Before taking command in Lemoore, he directed the Branch Health Clinic at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina.

His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was also recognized as the U.S. Navy Bear Ratner Nurse Corps Association Junior Officer of the Year in 2009.

Details surrounding the reasons for Roe’s sudden dismissal have not yet been disclosed by the Navy.