US Navy relieves Capt. Mathew Loe of command at California medical training unit citing loss of confidence

Published Aug 7, 08:30 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy relieved Capt. Mathew Loe as commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Lemoore in California after only one year in the role, citing a 'loss of confidence in his ability to command.' Rear Adm. Kevin Brown, head of Naval Medical Forces Pacific, removed Loe, who has been temporarily reassigned. The command's executive officer, Capt. Robin Bennett, has taken over as interim leader. The Navy did not provide specific reasons for the firing, noting that 'loss of confidence' can cover issues from poor performance to misconduct. The unit, located at Naval Air Station Lemoore, trains medical staff for Navy and Marine Corps units and provides healthcare to over 30,000 active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families. Loe, a nurse with deployments to Afghanistan and multiple medical leadership roles, had served as executive officer at the command before taking command in July 2025.