Colonel Mark P. McGuire, O.D., United States Army Medical Service Corps, distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service throughout a remarkable 34-year career while serving in positions of progressively greater responsibility, culminating as Commander, Southeast Medical Area Readiness Support Group. Colonel McGuire exemplified Army Values based leadership during alternating periods of CONUS-based and Combat Zone-based service. He was instrumental in developing the Clinical Operations section of the 3d MEDCOM during that two-star command’s formative years. His warrior focus during five deployments directly impacted combat operational effectiveness in the CENTCOM AOR. Colonel McGuire’s deployments include positions such as, Deputy Commander, Clinical Services for Bright Star, he deployed with the 3d MEDCOM in support of OEF, serving as the only eye care professional in the CENTCOM AOR for seven months. He set up a clinic in Kuwait and one at Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of the 3d BDE, 101st Airborne. Additionally, he played a critical role in establishing the first Combat Support Hospital at Bagram and Kandahar, Afghanistan. While deployed, the 3d MEDCOM Commander assigned him as Liaison, CENTCOM and the 3d US Army Surgeon’s Office. Prior to OIF ground operations in 2003, he led the Joint Forces Command Medical Exercise Team, directly impacting the OIF medical support plan. Just before OIF’s initiation, the 3d Army Surgeon appointed him Commander of Camp Doha Medical Clinic with a mission to provide primary care to over 100,000 personnel and establish the casualty collection point for casualties during the OIF’s early phase. His team also cared for seven repatriated POWs. Colonel McGuire rejoined the 3d MEDCOM upon redeployment. In 2006, he mobilized again with Task Force 3 MEDCOM, deploying to Camp Victory, Iraq where he managed all OIF eye care professionals and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations G9, Joint Medical Forces, OIF, then as Task Force 3 Chief of Staff during the “surge” for OIF, through Task Force 3’s change of command and redeployment. As Deputy Chief of Staff G9, he managed limited assets to establish effective lines of communication with Corps, MNC-I, MNF-I, MNSTC-I counterparts and with each Iraqi Army Surgeon General. Colonel McGuire supervised recruitment and assignment of interpreters and bilingual/bicultural medical subject matter experts at all seven combat support hospitals in theater. Shortly after REFRAD in 2008, he accepted command of the Joint Medical Task Force, US Army Central, Kuwait from July 2009 to June 2010. During the H1N1 influenza pandemic, he implemented screening for 500,000 plus personnel enroute to OIF or OEF. He led Soldiers in support of medical logistics for OIF and OEF and provided medics for combat logistics convoys for OIF. In addition, he participated in a USARCENT Lean Six Sigma initiative, completing the DOD Green Belt certification and developed a project that saved an annual estimated $500,000. After redeployment, he commanded the Southeast Medical Area Readiness Support Group with 2,600 Soldiers in 23 units across nine states. He trained two medical command and control rotations for Kosovo and eight mobilizations for Soldier Readiness Processing support for CONUS duty. Moreover, the Southeast Medical Area Readiness Support Group’s soldier medical readiness improved from 59% to 80%; 22 of 23 units met DOD/USARC medical readiness standards and 100% of available combat medics maintained their MOS. In 2004, he was recognized by the Alabama Hospital Association as an “Alabama Healthcare Hero” for his service in OEF/OIF. Also in 2004, he was honored with the distinguished service award by the North Carolina Optometric Society for his service in OEF/OIF. In 2008, he received the Reserve Forces Optometrist of the Year award and in 2009, the AMSUS Order of Military Medical Merit. In 2011, he was honored by Brevard College, NC as a distinguished alumnus for his career in the US Army Reserves. Colonel McGuire’s career exemplifies the highest Medical Service Corps and AMEDD standards and is in

keeping with the finest military traditions. His record reflects great distinction on himself, the Army Reserve Medical Command, the United States Army.

Citation Below

Citation:

For exceptionally meritorious service throughout a remarkable 34-year career while serving in positions of progressively greater responsibility, culminating as Commander, Southeast Medical Area Readiness Support Group. Colonel McGuire exemplified Army Values based leadership during alternating periods of CONUS and Combat Zone service. His warrior focus during five deployments directly impacted combat operational effectiveness in the CENTCOM AOR. He expertly utilized his military and medical knowledge to integrate doctrinal and non-doctrinal units into joint/combined teams, thus providing direct medical support to service members and civilians while deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He was critical to the success of the 2007 troop surge in Iraq through effective and efficient utilization of the bilingual/bicultural medical subject matter experts that he developed at each of the seven Combat Support Hospital locations as they cared for many wounded Iraqi citizens, Soldiers, and policemen. Colonel McGuire's exemplary service and tireless devotion to duty reflect great distinction on himself, the Army Reserve Medical Command, and the United States Army.