“There is a very interesting togetherness between medicine and aviation with which I have been fascinated over the years.” — retired Maj. Gen. Spurgeon Neel
The Department of Aviation Medicine, a satellite campus of the Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio, is the Army’s center for all aeromedical training for aviators, aircrew, and aeromedical personnel.
DAM is a force generation platform -- we train, educate, and develop capable and adaptive aeromedical leaders focused on readiness and enabling the combatant commander to compete and win in large scale combat operations. We train 2,500 Soldiers annually in over 160 courses per year within 45 programs of instruction.
DAM supports the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence by providing instruction to aviators and aircrew on aeromedical subjects to include aviation medicine orientation, altitude physiology, visual systems, night vision, toxicology, aviation protective equipment, stress and fatigue, gravitational forces, noise and vibration, and spatial disorientation. In addition to platform instruction, DAM uses computer and web-based training, training exercises, experiential labs, and advanced medical simulation to improve Soldier and unit readiness while decreasing the cost for the training for the Army. We operate the Army’s only training hypobaric altitude chamber supporting fixed-wing aviators, as well as high-altitude parachutists.
DAM’s medical curriculum includes MEDCoE courses that train flight surgeons, critical care flight paramedics, aeromedical physician assistants, aviation nurse practitioners, medical evacuation personnel, MEDEVAC pre-command, and aviation clinical psychologists from all military services to include foreign medical personnel. DAM also serves as the graduate medical education sponsoring institution for medical specialty training programs in aerospace and occupational medicine.
For more information, visit the department of aviation medicine website 
Leadership
Director, Department of Aviation Medicine
Lt. Col. John Venezia is a board-certified aerospace and occupational medicine physician with substantial experience in graduate medical education and training. He is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and earned his commission in the Medical Corps through the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program in 2002. Venezia earned his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Nova Southeastern University in 2006, a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch in... READ MORE
First Sergeant, Department of Aviation Medicine
1st Sgt. Jessie R. Turner, a native of St Thomas, U.S.V.I., enlisted to active duty for Military Occupational Specialty 68W, Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic) on November 8th, 2010. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Advanced Individual Training at Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston). Upon completion he received orders to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)where he served as an Emergency Care Specialist within the 758th Forward Surgical Team (FST). While at JBLM, he completed a class three flight physical and applied to become a Flight Medic. READ MORE