Captain Robert A. Alonso
Medical Corps, U.S. Navy
Health Services, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
CAPT Alonso holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology (with Honors) from the University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, RI and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Louisville, School of Medicine.
CAPT Alonso's military career began in 1985 as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps through the Health Professions Scholarship Program while a medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Upon graduating in 1988 with an M.D., he received a commission as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. He completed his Family Practice Internship at Naval Hospital Charleston, SC. He then reported to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Artillery Regiment as Battalion Surgeon at 29 Palms MCAGCC, CA. Following his general medicine officer tour, he reported to Naval Hospital Portsmouth, VA for his Psychiatry Residency, graduating in June 1993. From July 1993 to 1996 he served as Inpatient Director, then Department Head of the Psychiatry Department of Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, leading the Navy's largest OCONUS psychiatry department with a full range of outpatient services and a 15 bed inpatient psychiatry ward. In July 1996, he reported as Division Psychiatrist/Assistant Division Surgeon for the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He assumed duties as the Group Surgeon for 1st Force Service Support Group, I MEF in Aug 1999. In 2000, he deployed with 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Kenya and Tanzania as the Combined-Joint Task Force Surgeon for Exercises Natural Fires/Native Fury for command staff training of East African Coalition partners and executing Medical Assistance Operations providing medical care to the civilian populace through eastern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
Following the consecutive tours with I MEF, CAPT Alonso was selected to attend the Naval War College, enrolling in the College of Naval Warfare. He graduated with an M.A. in November 2002 and reported for his joint tour to Joint Task Force-Civil Support (JTF-CS) as Command Surgeon. JTF-CS is the Department of Defense's sole deployable headquarters command dedicated to providing command and control of all DOD resource deployed in support of civil authorities for any Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High-Yield Explosive events. During his tour he was a Plank Owner for the U.S. Northern Command, participating in the development of the mission scope, concept of operations and manning requirements for the NORTHCOM Surgeon's Directorate.
Following his tour at JTF-CS, in May 2005 he was selected as Department Head for Psychiatry at Naval Hospital Portsmouth, VA leading the Navy's largest outpatient psychiatry service, inpatient service and psychiatry residency training program. Concurrently, he was appointed Department Head for Contingency Planning, developing hospital contingency plans and functioning as the hospital's emergency manager. In October 2006, he reported to 1st Naval Construction Division as Force Surgeon, Charged with the medical readiness and healthcare of the 18,600 man force. He reported as Executive Officer of Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait in December 2009 for a one year deployment, providing Level III health services to the Kuwait and Northern Persian Gulf areas. Upon redeployment in January 2011, he served as Combat and Operational Stress Control Consultant for Individual Augmentee mental health issues to the Director, N1, Fleet Forces Command. In June 2011, he reported to his current billet as Deputy, Medical Officer to the Marine Corps.
CAPT Alonso's personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon and several unit and campaign awards.