Commander
COL Steven M. Brooks
COL Brooks was raised in Northern Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and from Virginia Commonwealth School of Dentistry in 2005. He commissioned into the Army through the Heath Professional Scholarship Program in 2001.
From 2005-2007 he was at Fort Riley, KS for his first duty station. He deployed with the 502nd Dental Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After arriving back from his 6-month deployment he completed AMEDD Captain Career Course. Shortly after finishing CCC in spring of 2007, he moved to his next duty station where he completed a two-year AEGD program at Fort Bragg, NC.
From 2009-2015 he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He received his board certification from the American Board of General Dentistry. He served as a comprehensive dentist at Harper Dental Clinic and OIC of Reception Dental Clinic in support of the First Term Dental Readiness program. He moved over to the Hospital Dental Clinic as OIC. He stayed in this position for three years and during this time volunteered for his second deployment with 257 Dental Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
In 2015 he moved to the Fort Stewart Dental Activity. During this time, he was selected for and completed Intermediate Level Education (ILE) at Red Stone Arsenal. On return he became the OIC of Dental Clinic 4. In 2018 he moved to Richardson Dental Clinic, AK, where he served as the Commander of the Richardson DC-C.
June 2022 COL Brooks took Command of the Fort Stewart Dental Health Activity.
COL Brooks has completed the following military courses, Officer Basic Course, Antiterrorism Advisor course, Captains Career Course, Advanced Trauma Life Support, Combat Casualty Course, ILE, Dental Management Development, AMEDD Pre-Command, and AMEDD Executive Skills course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC); Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC); Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC); National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Metal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon. While serving on his deployment with the 502nd Dental Company, the unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
MSG Melanie Marrero
Senior Enlisted Leader
Master Sergeant (MSG) Melanie Marrero joined the Army September 2000. She completed Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. MSG Marrero graduated from Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Sheppard Airforce Base, Wichita Falls, Texas and earned the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 68E, Dental Specialist and earned the Additional Skills Identifier (ASI) of X2, Preventive Dentistry Specialist at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
MSG Marrero’s military education includes graduating from Master Leaders Course, Health Services Plans, OPS, Intel, Security, and Training (70H), Company Commander and First Sergeant Pre-command, SHARP/VA Course, Dental Management Development Course, Instructor Training Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Unit Prevention Leaders Course, Mobile Retention Course, and Combat Lifesavers Course. MSG Marrero holds an Associates Degree in General Studies from University of Maryland University of Europe.
MSG Marrero served in various units and leadership positions, to include Senior Operations NCO at Dental Health Command-Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Senior Enlisted Leaders and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge at Fort Irwin Dental Clinic Command, Instructor/Writer at Military Education and Training Center (METC), Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge at West Point, New York, Benjamin Franklin Village Dental Clinic, Mannheim Germany, Heidelberg, Germany, and Dental Hygienist at Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, California.
MSG Marrero’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.