Executive Officer

Capt. Frank O. Axelson

Executive Officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Annapolis

Capt. Frank Axelsen entered the Navy as an E-1 in 1990. In 1995, he entered the Enlisted Education Advancement Program and attended Old Dominion University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1997. He was commissioned to the rank of ensign and matriculated into medical school at the Uniformed Service University of the Health Science, graduating in 2001. He completed his internship and residency training in family medicine at Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville, Florida.

Axelsen served as the senior medical officer (SMO) at Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Pascagoula, Mississippi, from July 2004 through June 2006. He then completed a Fellowship in Sports Medicine at NH Camp Pendleton. After his fellowship he served in a variety of leadership roles to include SMO and chairman of the executive committee of the medical staff at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. He also completed tours as Battalion Surgeon, 2D Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), and as surgeon, Special Operations Task Force-West, Afghanistan. Upon his return in March 2011, he was assigned to serve as surgeon, Marine Special Operations School.

Following his time with the Marines, he served as the family physician and vice chair of the executive committee of the Navy Reserve medical and dental staff at the Navy Medical Education and Training Command, Jacksonville, Florida. In January 2014, Axelsen assumed the position of SMO and medical department head of USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in Sasebo, Japan, and was the acting surgeon for Commander, Amphibious Task Force, 7th Fleet. From 2017 to 2018, he served as SMO at NBHC Bahrain, then transferred to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Jacksonville serving as the operational forces medical liaison officer; he subsequently deployed to Dallas County, Texas, in support of a 250-bed COVID-19 facility. Axelsen was assigned from July 2020 to July 2022 as the chief medical officer, Naval Health Clinic/NMRTC Patuxent River, Maryland. During his tour, he completed a 9-month deployment to Joint Task Force, Joint Medical Group, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. He then served as the director of operations with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery from July 2022 to August 2023, and assumed his current role as the executive officer NMRTC Annapolis and deputy director NHC Annapolis in September 2023

Capt. Axelsen’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and Good Conduct Medal (two awards). He has earned his Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer and Surface Warfare Medical Officer qualifications.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
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General Navy Medical Inquiries (to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery): usn.ncr.bumedfchva.mbx.bumed-general-inquiries@health.mil