PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Command of the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC) and Defense Centers for Public Health – Portsmouth (DCPH-P) changed Thursday when Capt. Marion (Andy) Gregg relieved Capt. Matthew McLean during a ceremony conducted at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) military treatment facility, June 8.

Rear Adm. Matthew Case, commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic (NMFL) and director, Tidewater Market, presided over the ceremony.

In addition to welcoming Gregg to his new role as head of NMCFHPC and DCPH-P, Case praised McLean for his leadership throughout his tour at the public health center and for ensuring both a seamless and smooth transition while briefly assigned as the organization’s commander and director.



“Captain McLean has shown extraordinary leadership while serving as deputy commander and commander this past two years,” said Case. “Under his leadership, the command continues to emphasize its operational mission focus through organic preventative medicine and environmental health assets to prevent illness and its impact to mission readiness.”

“Marion, your varied and successful background as a preventive medicine planner, department head, director, and executive officer has qualified and prepared you for this role. I look forward to what you will bring here. We will rely heavily on that experience to help chart the course for this command’s future,” added Case.

McLean held the reigns as DCPH-P/NMCFHPC’s commander and director for the past two months to ensure no gap in leadership until Gregg arrived to assume command.

He continued to lead the organization during what’s been a fast-moving transition for many of the organization’s services to the Defense Health Agency Public Health Division, while maintain a close “pulse” on a multitude of high-level public health issues potentially impacting operational readiness world-wide.

During his remarks, McLean offered his gratitude to DCPH-P’s/NMCFPHC’s staff and field activities for their support during his time as commander / director.

"I am appreciative of all that you have taught me, the robust culture that emanated from our hull and the people who provided me a richer view and understanding of our community, our military and our platforms,” said McLean. “The name on our hull has changed to Navy and Marine Corp Force Health Protection Command to highlight an increased focus on operational forces following transition of other aspects under the DHA Defense Centers for Public Health umbrella but the culture of excellence, professionalism and dedication to our core mission that makes up our bone marrow and molds the life blood that brings our hull alive will never change, ” said McLean, who will be assigned as the Force Surgeon, Military Sealift Command upon completion of his tour of duty with DCPH-P/NMCFHPC.

Gregg, the new NMCFHPC Commander and DCPH-P Director, is a native of Cable, Ohio, attended Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1998 and completed his Medical Doctorate in June 2003. He additionally has a Master of Public Health degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School

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Following the completion of an Internal Medicine Internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in 2004, Gregg was selected to attend the Naval Undersea Medical Institute (NUMI) in Groton, Connecticut. After graduating from NUMI in 2005, he reported to Naval Submarine Support Center, New London, Connecticut as the Squadron Undersea Medical Officer. In 2007, Gregg was hand selected and served as the Group Surgeon for Commander Submarine Group TWO in Groton, Connecticut.

From 2009 to 2011 Gregg completed his residency in Preventive Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. In 2011, he reported to US Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan as the Department Head of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Emergency Officer. In 2012, Gregg deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2012 serving on the ADVON team to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response-preparation to Indonesia and Vietnam and was later selected as and served as the Director, Public Health at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan until August 2014.

In September of 2014, Gregg reported to USNORTHCOM in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he served as the Chief, Preventive Medicine for the NORAD-USNORTHCOM Surgeon and helped lead USNORTHCOM CONUS Ebola and Zika virus planning and response and global synchronization efforts. From August of 2016 to August 2019, he served as the Officer in Charge for Navy and Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit TWO in Norfolk, Virginia, and was responsible for three Forward Deployed Preventive Medicine Units, as well as public health and readiness support of US military forces across multiple Geographical Combatant Command Areas of Responsibilities.

In July 2019, he was selected as U.S. Navy Preventive Medicine Specialty Leader and reported to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Center Jacksonville where he served as the Director, Public Health leading the command’s effort for COVID-19 mitigation, testing, and vaccination. In April 2020, he deployed to Bahrain in support of United States Naval Forces Central Command/Combined Maritime Forces/U.S. Fifth Fleet to lead COVID-19 response and mitigation efforts for joint operational forces in the region. In June 2021, he reported as the Executive Officer for US Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Center Sigonella, Italy where he helped lead command and region support efforts for three Geographical Combatant Commands to include supporting 4,300 Afghan travelers as part of Operation Allies Refuge.

Gregg is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine, board certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, and he is qualified as an Undersea and Diving Medical Officer and Submarine Medical Officer. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medical, Meritorious Service Medal (six), Navy Commendation Medal (three), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards.

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Upon assuming command, Gregg thanked McLean for his leadership and insights while serving as both deputy commander and commander. “You have done a tremendous job here at NMCPHC and now NMCFHPC, DCPH-P and I am excited to follow in your footsteps and build upon all the great work you have done over the last two years,” said Gregg.

NMCFHPC, DCPH-P is part of the DHA Public Health and Navy Medicine teams, committed to delivering high-quality healthcare and public health services to servicemembers, their families and other beneficiaries world-wide.

Navy Medicine – represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilian health care professionals – provides enduring expeditionary medical support to the warfighter on, below, and above the sea, and ashore.