ROTA, Spain – Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Rota marked a significant milestone with a Change of Command Ceremony on April 11, 2025. Following a time-honored tradition and protocol, Capt. William Scouten concluded his two-year tenure by relinquishing command to Capt. Michael Mercado.

Rear Adm. Kevin Brown, Commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic and Director, Defense Health Network Atlantic, presided over the ceremony. Brown thanked Scouten for his leadership during several unprecedented moments for Navy Medicine and NMRTC Rota, and expressed his confidence in the new commander, highlighting “his commitment to readiness, people, and purpose.”

Honored guest speaker, Brig. Gen. Roger Giraud, Director, Defense Health Network Europe, spoke highly of Scouten who is also the Director of Naval Hospital Rota, co-located with the NMRTC, both of which “remained the cornerstone of health care excellence and operational readiness during Capt. Scouten’s tenure,” he said.



Scouten shared his reflections on the many historical firsts and highlights of the team, “It’s my humble honor to speak to you today for the last time as Commanding Officer,” he said expressing his appreciation and emphasized that every member of the team made a difference with increasing strength, capability, and preparedness to face any challenge. Scouten closed his remarks expressing excitement for Mercado and his family as they prepare to take on his next journey.

Mercado most recently served as Executive Officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella. According to Brown, under his leadership, the command consistently ranked among the top in the region for medical and dental readiness, access to care, and patient safety, while earning accolades in leapfrog hospital safety grades and the prestigious Sicilian Chimera D’Argento Award for community impact.

In his first address as Commanding Officer, Mercado shared that he was “abundantly grateful” — a phrase he said best captured the moment. “This is an opportunity to give back, to pay it forward,” he said, reflecting on a career shaped by the mentorship and support of others.

NMRTC Rota serves as a force multiplier in Navy Medicine’s strategic global medical support mission throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while also supporting operational readiness and maintaining a strategic repository of expertise at the Naval Hospital Rota Military Training Facility within the Iberian Peninsula.

Navy Medicine is 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.