Commander



COLONEL GARY A. HUGHES
Commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan

Colonel Gary A. Hughes assumed duties as the Command Inspector General for Regional Health Command – Atlantic, now Medical Readiness Command, East in August 2021.
COL Hughes began his military career in 1989 when he enlisted as a Combat Signaler (31K). He was assigned to the 507th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) and deployed with the 507th for service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 1992, he was awarded an R.O.T.C. Scholarship for his undergraduate studies in Physical Science at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and in 1996, he was awarded an Army Health Professions Scholarship for his Doctor of Optometry at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. COL Hughes is also a graduate of the Army-Baylor Healthcare Administration Master’s Degree Program and earned his Master of Strategic Studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

COL Hughes has a multifaceted career of various healthcare, education, administration, and leadership roles. As the 82nd Airborne Division Optometrist, Fort Bragg, NC, he deployed for Stabilization Force 10 in Tuzla Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and for Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He simultaneously served as the Chief of Optometry and the Headquarters Detachment Commander at the Lawrence Joel Army Health Clinic, Fort McPherson, GA. He instructed ophthalmic programs at the Army Medical Department Center and School and led nine education programs as the Department Chair of Nursing and Specialty Medical Services at the Medical Education and Training Campus, Fort Sam Houston, TX. In fort Knox, KY; he managed the careers of over 700 officers in seven medical specialties as an Assignment Officer at Human Resources Command. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded both the Baumholder and Kaiserslautern Health Clinics in Germany. Most recently, COL Hughes served as the Optometry Program Manager and Optometry Consultant to the Surgeon General.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Army Meritorious Service Medal (four oak leaf clusters); the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters); and the Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster). He has earned the Combat Medic, Parachutist and Air Assault Badges and he achieved the 5K Instructor, 3H Joint Planner, and 6Z Strategic Studies Graduate, Additional Skill Identifiers. He is a member of the Order of Military Merit and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major KATIE M. BLEADSOE
Chief of NCO, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan

SGM Katie M. Bledsoe enlisted in the United States Army on 28 August 2006. She completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Advanced Individual Training for 68W Healthcare Specialist at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
 
Her previous assignments include: United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) Student, Operations NCO Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB) Camp Walker, Korea; 1SG for 75th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS) Camp Walker, Korea; 1SG C CO 210th Brigade Support Battalion; Senior Drill Sergeant for Bravo Company, 232nd Medical Battalion at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA); Detachment Sergeant at the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) at the Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts; NCOIC of the Office of Military Support and Oversight at Natick, Massachusetts; NCOIC of the Occupational Therapy Clinic at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Emergency Care Sergeant at 1/16 Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Treatment Squad Healthcare Sergeant at 526 Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Her military education includes: Technical Transportation of Hazardous Material, the Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader’s Course, Master Leader Course, USASMA, Occupational Therapy Specialist Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Equal Opportunity Leader Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Company Commander and First Sergeant Pre-command Course, SHARP Foundation Course, AIT Platoon Sergeant Course, and the Drill Sergeant Recertification Course. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Converse College and a Master of Science degree in Management from Excelsior University.

Her awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award), Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3rd award) Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

MSG Bledsoe has a husband, Brandon, and they have two sons, Liam (13) and Zander (9).