CDR Arencibia is an accomplished Plans, Operations and Medical Intelligence (POMI) officer. As a Kentucky native and 1995 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University in Health Science Education, she was awarded the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship and earned a Master’s in Public Administration – Public Health. Having established the first Provider Sponsored Healthcare Corporation in Georgia, CDR Arencibia accepted a U.S. Navy Direct Commission to support Operation Iraqi Free and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Her military academic advanced programs include a master’s degree from the U.S. Navy War College in National Security and Strategic Studies, Marine Corps University Command and Staff College, and the Uniformed Services University Global Health Strategies program. She is currently enrolled in Villanova University College of Professional Studies for Cyber Security and the MIT Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality XPro Program. CDR Arencibia is the Military Liaison Officer for the American Medical Society Extended Reality and Immersive Technologies Integration Officer for Marine Forces Reserve/Marine Forces South.
In 2004, Commander Arencibia was assigned as Officer in Charge of Healthcare Facilities at the Naval School of Health Sciences (NSHS) in San Diego, California. Upon transfer from NSHS San Diego, she deployed in support of the Oregon Army National Guard 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. During her combat tour, she served as Officer in Charge of the first Female Afghan National Army Security Unit then as Chief, Joint Visitor’s Bureau (JVB) for Task Force Phoenix V-Afghanistan. She reported to NRD New England in 2009 as a Medical Officer Recruiter then to National Naval Medical Center Bethesda as Department Head for Contingency Operations. As Lead Medical Planner for Operation Unified Response (USNS COMFORT) and Continuing Promise 2010 (USS IWO JIMA), CDR Arencibia refined expeditionary medical operations in response to 200,000 casualties following the earthquake in Haiti and refined healthcare delivery throughout Central and South America.
In 2010, CDR Arencibia was selected as a Plans, Operations and Medical Intelligence Officer Intern in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. During her Joint Staff tenure, she completed Verification, Validation and Accreditation for the Joint Medical Planning Tool, now a required medical plan validation tool per the Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan. CDR Arencibia was subsequently assigned as the Lead Medical Planner for NORAD/NORTHCOM conducting medical operations in support of Defense Support to Civil Authorities and Global Health Security during Ebola and Zika outbreaks.
In 2016 while assigned to Marine Forces Central Command, she instituted Global Health Engagements to achieve international bilateral agreements between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Follow on assignments include U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT); USNS COMFORT Global Health Advisor in response to the 2019 Venezuelan Crisis; Deputy Medical Director Naval Amphibious Force, TF 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Crisis Response; Deputy Surgeon, United Forces South Korea and currently serves at Marine Corps Forces Reserve Headquarters/Marine Corps Forces South Deputy Force Surgeon prioritizing Readiness, Medical Chaos Recovery and Cyber Security in support of Immersive and Virtual Reality Training Technology.
Commander Janette Arencibia’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Marine Commendation Medal (two awards) along with various individual and unit decorations.