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 WESLEY D. DAVIS
Chief of NCO, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan
SGM Davis enlisted into the Army from Orlando Florida. He attended and graduated Basic Training from Fort Jackson, SC, in January of 2000 and later graduated from Fort Sam Huston, TX, in July 2000 with the MOS 91B Combat Medic.
SGM Davis previous assignments are: V Corps Surgeon Cell Sergeant Major and Medical Operations NCO, Fort Knox, KY; XVIII Airborne Corps Surgeon Cell Sergeant Major and 44th Medical Bridge Operations Sergeant Major, Fort Bragg, NC; 1SG Delta Company Joint Base San Antonio, TX; Joint Visitor Bureau (FWD IZ); Platoon Sergeant (FWD AF) 2 Cavalry Regiment; Senior Drill Sergeant Bravo Company 239 Fort Jackson SC; Ortho Clinic NCOIC Fort Meade MD; Combat Medic (FWD IZ) and Health Care Specialist 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, NC.
SGM Davis’s military education includes Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulatory Course, Airborne School, Field Sanitation Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Tactical Combat Casualty Course, Facilitator Developer Course, Orthopedic Technician Course, Environmental Compliance Officer Course, Combative level 1 and 2 certified, Instructor Training Course, Advanced Trauma Life Support Course, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Drill Sergeant School, Senior Leaders Course, Master Leaders Course and CO CDR/1SG Course, and is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Course (Resident). Class 73 (Motivate and Serve!)
SGM Davis’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Good Conduct Medal (7th award), National Defense Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th numeral), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (3rd award). The Drill Sergeant Badge, Combat Action Badge (CAB), Parachutist Badge, Expert Field Medic (EFMB) and Germany Jump Wings.
SGM Davis is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit, and holds an Associates of Science from Excelsior University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College, and a Master’s degree in Education from Trident Universtiy.