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Marines


Biography

 

Master Chief Hospitalman Ebnezer k. Atekwana
Command Master Chief
4th Marine Aircraft Wing

Master Chief Atekwana is a native of Garoua, Cameroon in West Africa and Graduated high school in Bamenda, Cameroon in 1996. Following graduation, he immigrated to the United States and enlisted in the Navy. He reported to Great Lakes, Illinois for recruit training in August 1997. Upon recruit training completion, he then went to Hospital Corpsman “A” school where he graduated as “Honor Grad”!  He continued to Field Medical Service School in Camp Lejeune North Carolina and completed field medical training in 1998.

His first operational assignment was with 1st Battalion 2nd Marine regiment as a platoon Corpsman, and he did a Unit Deployment Program (UDP) to Okinawa and US-South American Allied Exercise (UNITAS) to South America. He also earned his Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Ribbon and was promoted to Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) during this assignment.

In early 2000, HM3 Atekwana reported to Branch Medical Clinic, Naval Air Station, Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He served as Family Practice Corpsman and Military Acute Care Division Leading Petty Officer (LPO). He was also promoted to Hospital Corpsman Second Class (HM2) and deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he served as Detention Center Corpsman.   
 
In April 2003, HM2 reported to 1st Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division where he completed two Combat Deployments to Afghanistan as part of Ground Combat element of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and to Fallujah Iraq in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom as Line Company Corpsman.  He also earned his FMF Warfare pin.
  
 In June 2006, HM2 Was transferred to Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) Bethesda, Maryland He served as USUHS clinic LPO and Non-Commission Officer In-charge of Field Medical Training for 1st and 4th year medical students. He was instrumental in revamping expeditionary/field medicine and MEDEVAC protocols, executed three annual training exercises, and was Chief of Mission for three Humanitarian Assistance missions to Tchad.  He was promoted to Hospital Corpsman First Class (HM1).

 In May of 2010, HM1 was stationed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 in Gulfport Mississippi. He served as Medical Department LPO and Medical Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO).  He completed three deployments: Two contingency construction combat deployments to Afghanistan and then humanitarian construction operations in Cambodia, East Timor, and Okinawa. Also earned his Seabee Combat Warfare designation He was selected for CHIEF! 

Then in May of 2013, Chief Atekwana was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) at Bethesda Maryland. He served as postal operation LCPO, Patient Administration LCPO, Logistics Department LCPO, and Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) for Directorate for Medicine. Chief Atekwana was also promoted to Senior Chief.

Senior Chief Atekwana was then stationed in 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in May of 2017. He served as Headquarters and Service Company SEL and was Medical SEL for 26th MEU, deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Horn of Africa, and Persian Gulf. Senior Chief Atekwana earned his Surface and Air warfare pins aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and attended the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport Rhode Island.

In October of 2019 Senior Chief Atekwana was Stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia. There, he served as Emergency Department LCPO and Directorate for Public Health (DPHS) SEL. DPHS managed all things COVID for the entire Hampton Roads area. Senior Chief Atekwana was also promoted to Master Chief and served as Command Master Chief (CMDCM) for USNS Comfort Platform where he did two Continuing Promise deployments to eight Caribbean countries. He also earned his certification as Chief Petty Officer Enlisted leadership Development instructor.

Master Chief Atekwana is currently serving as CMDCM of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing in New Orleans, Louisiana. Master Chief Atekwana currently holds an Associate’s Degree in Medical Technology and a and a Bachelors Degree in Homeland Security from University of Maryland University College. His Personal awards include, Defense Meritorious Service medal, Joint Service Commendation medal with  gold star, Navy Commendation medal, Navy Achievement medal with 2 gold stars, Army achievement medal and numerous campaign and unit awards.