An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.
To learn how the lapse in appropriations affects your TRICARE benefit, visit 
tricare.mil/shutdown.

Local News | April 11, 2025

Clinical Trials Center Seeks Volunteers for Staphylococcus Aureus Study

By Sidney Hinds, Naval Medical Research Command's Clinical Trials Center

Naval Medical Research Command’s Clinical Trials Center is seeking volunteers for a phase 1 clinical vaccine trial to evaluate the LTB-SA7 vaccine for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

LTB-SA7 is intended to reduce frequency and severity of infections caused by S. aureus, a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections in U.S. military populations. 

S. aureus can impact readiness, and due to the antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria, keep warfighters away from the mission. Infections are highly communicable, and can spread quickly in crowded living environments, common throughout the fleet. “These infections are quite common in the military,” observed Lt. Cmdr. Jacqueline Clerc, deputy director of the CTC. “A safe and effective vaccine to reduce the burden of staph infections would significantly improve the lives of service members and reduce the amount of antibiotics needed.” 

The CTC study, which began in December 2024, recently completed vaccination of the first cohort of participants. 

“From interacting directly with participants, we knew that there were no major safety concerns, and felt encouraged that the Data Safety Monitoring Board [an independent group of physicians and scientists that evaluate clinical trials for safety and integrity] concurred,” said Cmdr. Nehkonti Adams, CTC director. 

“Understanding the evolving health concerns in the operational environment is critical to service member readiness, fitness and lethal capacity,” added Clerc. “We're especially proud to have two Hospital Corpsmen as members of the team. Their direct involvement in this trial provides invaluable experience in clinical skills crucial to military medical readiness.” 

The study is open to healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 50. Participants must have a body mass index between 19-35, and will need to complete at least seven in-person visits over seven to eight months. 

Active duty personnel must complete a supervisor’s approval form as part of the study. Participants may be eligible for compensation. 

If you would like to participate or have any questions, please contact the NMRC CTC at 301-295-4735 (call) or 301-233-9640 (text), or via e-mail at usn.nmrc.ctc@health.mil to schedule an appointment, at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Building 17B (2nd floor). 

The NMRC CTC evaluates vaccines, therapeutics, prophylactics in human subjects to advance products from the laboratory to the front line and maximize the medical readiness of the warfighter. NMRC is engaged in a broad spectrum of activities, from basic science in the laboratory to field studies in austere and remote areas of the world to investigations in operational environments. In support of the Navy, Marine Corps and joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine, medical modeling, simulation, operational mission support, epidemiology and behavioral sciences.
 

U.S. and Japan flags. Text reads: "Health Care Finder Services for Eligible DOD Civilians"

Department of War extends health care supplement...

Local News
Sep. 29, 2025

The Department of War today announced the extension of the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian...
Read More
ScriptCenter kiosk with instructions panel that says 'ScriptCenter is Easy to Use'

McDonald Army Health Center Enhances Access With...

Local News
Sep. 19, 2025

McDonald Army Health Center is expanding prescription services for the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community...
Read More
Image of kissing bug. Text reads: "THE KISSING BUG: The triatomine bug. Contact a healthcare professional if you have been bitten by a kissing bug."

Not All Kisses Are Sweet

Local News
Sep. 09, 2025

Kissing bugs can carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that causes the potentially fatal Chagas disease.
Read More
Uniformed service members hug and hold flowers standing in front of ship.

Get Support from the Military Health System 'At ...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

The Military Health System has many resources to support your mental health. Therapy is one tool proven to...
Read More
Image of person using laptop to visit findDHA tool.

The Search Is Over! Defense Health Agency Unveil...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

The Defense Health Agency launched a new online, interactive tool, findDHA, which allows users to search for...
Read More
Hands holding cell phone open to "Sports Betting" app. TV in background showing football game says, "Learn Safe Gambling Strategies."

Learn Safe-Gambling Strategies: Avoid Negative I...

Local News
Sep. 03, 2025

Research indicates certain factors associated with military service increase the risk for gambling problems...
Read More
Shadowy image of five soldiers standing outside next to a tank in the dark. Text reads: "Real Warriors, Real Battles, Real Strength."

Identifying Warning Signs of Suicide on Social M...

Local News
Sep. 02, 2025

If someone you know makes comments about suicide or expresses emotional pain online, always take them...
Read More
Uniformed service member climbing obstacle outdoors

USARIEM Researchers Find Potential Genetic Marke...

Local News
Aug. 26, 2025

The biomarker for stress adaptability could lead to new ways to treat stress disorders like PTSD.
Read More

Sept. 29, 2025

Department of War extends health care supplement pilot for civilian employees in Japan

The Department of War today announced the extension of the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for DOW Civilian Employees in Japan, reaffirming the department’s commitment to improving access to medical care for its overseas workforce, and adding interpreter support.

Sept. 19, 2025

McDonald Army Health Center Enhances Access With New ScriptCenter

McDonald Army Health Center is expanding prescription services for the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community with the installation of a new ScriptCenter kiosk at the Post Exchange refill pharmacy. The kiosk allows patients to pick up refill prescriptions after normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, providing a convenient option for beneficiaries with demanding schedules.

Sept. 9, 2025

Not All Kisses Are Sweet

Kissing bugs can carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi that causes the potentially fatal Chagas disease.

Sept. 3, 2025

Get Support from the Military Health System 'At the Moment You Need it Most'

The Military Health System has many resources to support your mental health. Therapy is one tool proven to work. Whether it’s in-person, virtual, or group therapy, or other tools needed during a crisis — mental health support sustains military readiness.

Sept. 3, 2025

The Search Is Over! Defense Health Agency Unveils findDHA — a Dynamic, Online Search Tool

The Defense Health Agency launched a new online, interactive tool, findDHA, which allows users to search for DHA locations around the globe. Finding a DHA facility has never been easier.

Sept. 3, 2025

Learn Safe-Gambling Strategies: Avoid Negative Impacts to Health, Finances

Research indicates certain factors associated with military service increase the risk for gambling problems among those actively serving and for those who served. While gambling is generally considered recreational, it can adversely impact military personnel, their families, and unit readiness. A way to reduce the harm that can result from gambling is to practice safe gambling techniques.

Sept. 2, 2025

Identifying Warning Signs of Suicide on Social Media

If someone you know makes comments about suicide or expresses emotional pain online, always take them seriously. Whether it's a single post or multiple, do not ignore them.

Aug. 26, 2025

USARIEM Researchers Find Potential Genetic Marker for Resilience

The biomarker for stress adaptability could lead to new ways to treat stress disorders like PTSD.

Aug. 22, 2025

Eat pink for breast cancer prevention

Breast cancer follows skin cancer as the second-most common cancer among women in the United States. Many people wear a pink ribbon or pink clothes to raise breast cancer awareness. Let’s put another spin on bringing awareness to breast cancer prevention — eat pink! Let's explore how eating colorful, antioxidant-rich foods can support breast cancer prevention.

Aug. 19, 2025

Tick Talk: Prevention and Protection

There are several types of ticks that transmit diseases to humans, the most common ones are blacklegged ticks that transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.