CAPT KEN RADFORD
COMMANDING OFFICER, U.S. NAVY
Captain Kennett "Ken" D. Radford, NC, USN is a native of Minnesota. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Marquette University (2001), Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Georgetown University (2010), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (2017), Diploma in Mountain Medicine (2021), and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (2022). Radford serves currently as the Director of Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River.
Radford enlisted in the Navy in 1994 and served aboard two ballistic nuclear submarines earning the Enlisted Submarine Warfare qualification in 1995. He completed the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program earning a NROTC nurse option scholarship and commissioned in 2001 as an Ensign, Navy Nurse Corps.
Radford has served in various positions within Navy Medicine to include Staff Nurse in Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, and Intensive Care at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA earning the Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) designation. Intensive Care staff nurse, Naval Hospital Guam and completing Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCAT) training and certification. Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Naval Hospital Jacksonville and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He was the Department Head, Anesthesiology, Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy then Assistant Professor and Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program, USU, and as the Executive Officer, NMLPDC and holds CRNA practice credentials at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Fort Meade, MD.
Operationally, Radford has served as a Deck Seaman, USS Alabama (SSBN 731) and USS Michigan (SSBN 727); Staff Nurse, Intensive Care Unit, Fleet Hospital-15 for Operation Iraqi Freedom; Staff Nurse, Intensive Care, Pacific Partnership, USNS Mercy (TAH-19); Critical Care Air Transport Team, Naval Hospital Guam; CRNA, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom earning the Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO) qualification; and Trauma-Critical Care Educator-Global Health Engagement, African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Program, Ghana, Africa.
Academically, Radford served as Assistant Professor and Director of Research, USU Nurse Anesthesia Program and researched the effects of anesthesia on traumatic memory while mentoring numerous doctoral evidence-based projects. Remaining at USU, he served as the Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program and coordinated operational readiness training in Maritime, Mountain, and Cold Weather Medicine for Graduate School of Nursing and School of Medicine students.
His professional activities include Adjunct Assistant Professor, USU; President-Elect Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA); member American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). His prior activities include Specialty Leader, Nursing Research; Head, Anesthesia Research Interest Group, Tri-Service Nursing Research Program (TSNRP); Advisory Council, TNSRP; District-Director, MANA.
Radford’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, MHS Senior Nurse Leadership Excellence Award, AMSUS Nursing Award, Outstanding Junior Investigator, Distinguished Uniformed Faculty, Ada Sue Henshaw Outstanding Dissertation, and Board of Regents Award (USU).
HMCS (FMF) RAYMOND T. POMIDA
HMCS (FMF) Raymond T. Pomida enlisted in the United States Navy in December 2011 and graduated Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL. Upon completion of Basic Training in February 2012, he attended HM “A” School from March to July 2012 and received orders to Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). While en route to NMCSD, he attended Field Medical Training Battalion – West and earned the L03A NEC (formerly 8404).
His initial assignment was at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), where he was assigned to the Cardiac Care Unit. Starting as a floor Corpsman, he advanced to Team Leader and ultimately served as Supply Petty Officer and Assistant Leading Petty Officer, demonstrating his early leadership potential. During this tour, he was promoted to PO3.
His operational experience began at 1st Medical Battalion, 1st MLG, I MEF, in Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served as Leading Petty Officer of Embarkation & Operations Platoon for Alpha Surgical Co. His exceptional contributions were recognized with his promotion to PO2 and his selection as 1st Medical Battalion FY16 Junior Sailor of the Year. He was then assigned to Headquarters & Services Company to serve as the Assistant Leading Petty Officer of S-3 Operations, leading to his meritorious advancement to Petty Officer First Class in August 2017.
Returning to NMCSD in November of 2017, he served as the Leading Petty Officer first to the Critical Care Department and then to the Medical-Surgical Department under the Directorate for Nursing Services. During this tour, he was selected as the FY18 Navy League FMF (Shore) Corpsman of the Year, FY19 NMCSD Senior Sailor of the Year, and the FY19 NAVMEDWEST Senior Sailor of the Year. He was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in September 2020.
He transferred to 1st Medical Battalion, where he held several key positions, including Battalion Operations Chief, Battalion Intelligence Chief, and 22 Area MCMH SEL. Prior to transferring to H& S Company, he was the LCPO of Surgical Company C where he transformed the training and readiness through rigorous field exercises and combat certification exercises, culminating in a successful deployment of a Shock Trauma Platoon+ to Saudi Arabia under Combat Logistics Regiment 1 in support of Exercise Native Fury.
In October 2023, HMCS Pomida reported to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and served as the Executive Assistant to the Force Master Chief and Director of the Hospital Corps for 2 years. As trusted advisor and confidant, he expertly managed the communications strategy and rebranding of the office through numerous outreach activities and engagements across the fleet.
In October 2025, HMCS Pomida reported to NMRTC Patuxent River and was assigned as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Directorate of Branch Clinics, overseeing NMRTU Dahlgren, NMRTC PAX River DET Indian Head, and PAX River DET Joint Base Andrews. In March of 2026, he was appointed as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for NMRTC Patuxent River.
Prior to joining the Navy, HMCS Pomida honed his skills and work ethic through eight years of experience in several multinational financial services companies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Political Science and a Master in Business Administration degree. His personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), and Flag Letter of Commendations (6 awards). He is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 279 - Red Group.
He currently resides in Stafford, VA with his wife Grace and his children Samantha, Nicolette, Paul, and Olivia.