Decorated Navy commander removed from California medical post after just one year
Captain Mathew Loe was relieved of his command at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Lemoore on Aug. 7, with officials citing a loss of confidence in his leadership.
On Aug. 7, Rear Admiral Kevin Brown relieved Capt. Mathew Loe of his duties as commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Lemoore, stating a loss of confidence in his leadership. The Navy emphasized that the change would not disrupt the command’s operational readiness, which includes Naval Health Clinic Lemoore and training for deployed medical staff. Capt. Robin Bennett, the former executive officer, stepped in as interim commander, while Loe was temporarily assigned to Naval Medical Forces Pacific in San Diego.
The Lemoore command serves more than 32,000 active-duty personnel, retirees, families and civilian beneficiaries. Loe, a decorated officer with a nursing background and prior deployments to Afghanistan, had taken the post in 2025 after leading a branch health clinic in South Carolina. The Navy has not released additional information explaining the abrupt removal.
Why it matters
The sudden leadership change could affect morale and continuity at a major Navy medical facility serving thousands of service members.
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