NMIOTC in SOMA 2025

NMIOTC participated in the Special Operations Medical Association (SOMA) Scientific Assembly 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina USA, with a keynote presentation delivered by Chief Petty Officer Apostolos Lazaridis, Lead Medical Instructor and Course Director at NMIOTC. His presentation focused on the operational realities and unique challenges of applying Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) in the maritime domain — an environment where physics, weather, and confined spaces demand tailored solutions and high adaptability.

During the presentation, CPO Lazaridis shared lessons learned from years of training NATO and Partner Nation personnel in Maritime TCCC, including critical insights on water recovery, casualty extraction in confined shipboard spaces, and the complexities of MEDEVAC operations at sea. He also introduced the upcoming “MAREVAC” course, which will address advanced maritime evacuation procedures, further enhancing operational readiness for multinational forces.

This participation showcased our Centre’s leading role in maritime medical training, and also reinforced its commitment to innovation, NATO standardization, and realistic, scenario-driven education. As the only NATO Education and Training Facility focused on the maritime domain, NMIOTC remains at the forefront of preparing combat-ready medical personnel for the challenges of modern naval operations and activities.