Lt. Joshua Bagley, a physical therapist assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms, was among eight Navy physical therapists selected to attend the COL Douglas A. Kersey Advanced Clinical & Operational Practice Course, held Sept. 21-25 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The intensive five-day course brought together military healthcare professionals from across the armed forces to strengthen advanced clinical skills, promote interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions affecting service members.
Through evidence-based instruction, interactive patient case scenarios and hands-on laboratory exercises, participants expanded their knowledge of advanced physical therapy practices and their application in clinical and operational environments.
For military physical therapists, these specialized skills play an important role in treating musculoskeletal injuries, supporting rehabilitation and helping service members safely return to duty. Maintaining these capabilities is essential to sustaining the health and operational readiness of Sailors, Marines and other military personnel.
“It was a great opportunity to collaborate with other physical therapists, occupational therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, pain scientists, dietitians, and physician assistants across the military branches, as we sharpened our clinical knowledge and skills as part of our mission – to keep our war fighters in the fight,” Bagley said.
Bagley's participation supports the Defense Health Agency's Line of Effort 1, Deliver Warfighter Medical Readiness, which emphasizes reducing the time service members are unable to deploy due to injury or illness. Advanced physical therapy training contributes to this objective by strengthening the clinical expertise needed to evaluate injuries, guide rehabilitation and facilitate a safe return to operational duties.
The training also aligns with Navy Medicine's Line of Effort 2, Keeping Warfighters in the Fight, by expanding the clinical capabilities available to support service members throughout their recovery. For installations such as Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, where Marines regularly participate in physically demanding training, access to specialized neuromusculoskeletal care is an important component of sustaining operational readiness.
The knowledge and techniques gained through the course can be applied to patient care at Twentynine Palms, helping service members recover from injuries, restore physical function and meet the physical demands of their military duties. Active-duty service members experiencing injuries or mobility concerns are encouraged to seek physical therapy services available at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms and its Adult Medical Care Clinic to support their recovery and return to duty.
Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Twentynine Palms operates Defense Health Agency military treatment facility Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, which delivers safe, high-quality healthcare to service members and their families. The command supports the health and readiness of warfighters at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, the Marine Corps' largest live-fire training installation, while readying Navy Medicine personnel to provide expeditionary medical support around the world.