NATICK, Mass. (May 10, 2012) -- A soldier from the U. S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine has successfully completed an assignment as company commander in Natick, Mass. Capt. John T. Lavoie relinquished command of the Military Detachment, USARIEM, to Capt. Jarret P. Heffner during a change of ceremony on May 7, 2012.
During the ceremony, Lavoie handed the unit colors to Col. Gaston P. Bathalon, commander, USARIEM, signifying his release of authority. Then Bathalon passed the 'colors,' signifying the transfer of command to Heffner.
Lavoie who was born in Concord, Mass., received a direct commission as a first lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps after completing a Masters of Science in biomedical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2003. He received a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in materials science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. in 2000.
Following Army Officer Basic Course, his first assignment was as an Environmental Science Officer at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM) in Aberdeen, Md. Other assignments include Company's Executive Officer C Company, 426th Brigade Support Battalion, 101st Air Born Division and the deputy signal officer for the 30th Medical Command in Heidelberg, Germany.
He deployed with the 101st to Kirkuk, Iraq for a 12 month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and with the 30th Medical Command to Kandahar, Afghanistan for a 12 month tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lavoie's military education includes the Army Medical Officer Basic Course, Principles of Military Preventive Medicine Course, Army Medical Officer Advanced Course, and Medical Information Management Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 service stars), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Combat Medic Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.
Lavoie was selected to attend the Army-Baylor MHA/MBA program, class of 2014, at Ft. Sam Houston for his next assignment.
USARIEM provides solutions to optimize Warfighter health and performance through medical research. USARIEM is recognized by many DoD organizations as the trusted leader in medical research for warfighter health and performance.
Social Sharing