Born in Guatemala, emigrating to Chicago, Illinois in 1969 and where he became a naturalized citizen; Captain Leal attended Lane Technical High School and upon graduating attended the University of Illinois at Chicago earning a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in 1984.  After graduating he achieved board certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and the National Credentialing Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel.  He was employed for two years at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases.  He attended dental school at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry starting in 1986, earning a second Bachelor of Science degree in 1988.  He graduated in 1990 with a degree of Doctor of Dental Science and was commissioned in to the Navy rank of Lieutenant.
 
Captain Leal attended Officer Indoctrination School in August 1990 at Newport, RI subsequently reporting to Naval Dental Center Great Lakes, IL.  Nine months after arriving, he was ordered in 1991 to the Fleet Marine Force, 3rd Dental Company, 3rd Dental Battalion in Okinawa, Japan as Division Officer, Camp Schwab.  Completing his tour in 1992 he was assigned to Naval Dental Research Institute, Great Lakes, IL.  In 1995 he was assigned to Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia as the Senior Dental Officer and in 1996 he was ordered to Naval Dental Center Great Lakes, IL where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  In 1997 he was selected for DUINS and started in 1998 at the University of Iowa.  In 2000 he earned a Master's of Science in Operative Dentistry and a Certificate in Operative Dentistry from the College of Dentistry; completing his training in 2001 he earned a second certificate in Preventive Dentistry.  He was ordered to the Fleet Marine Force at 2nd Dental Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC and was assigned as Dental Annex Head for the H-1 Annex, where he was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2002.

Captain Leal volunteered to deploy in 2003 with Bravo Surgical Company as the A-OIC of the Dental Detachment in support of Medical Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom to support combat operations of I MEF personnel.  In 2004 he was assigned to Branch Dental Clinic Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D. C., and in October 2004 was selected as an Individual Augmentee as the Deputy for Health Affairs on the staff of General Petraeus, CG of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq.  His responsibilities included - medical/dental plans for the Ministry of Interior in the newly formed Iraqi government.  Upon his return in May 2005 he was assigned to be the Dental Department Head at Branch Health Clinic Washington Navy Yard to assist in the transition to a new facility after medical/dental integration.  In 2007 he was ordered to the staff of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in office of Business Planning and Development.  In 2008 he was selected for promotion to the rank of Captain and was assigned as the Director Navy Medicine Business Planning, M3/5.  He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2009.  He was then ordered to serve as the Executive Officer for the 3d Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center Okinawa, Japan.  Selected for Command in 2010, he assumed Command of 2d Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on July 21, 2011.

Captain Leal's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medals 3 awards, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals 4 awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals 2 awards.  He wears the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, numerous campaign medals, National Defense Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Overseas Ribbon, Sea Service Ribbon, Pistol and Rifle Medals.  

Executive Officer,
CAPT William N. (Niel) Norman

Captain Norman is native of Augusta, Georgia.  He entered Augusta College in 1979, and subsequently received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.  In 1983, he enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, receiving his Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree in June of 1987.  Other educational achievements include a Master of Science Degree in Health Sciences from George Washington University, and a Certificate of Specialty Training in Prosthodontics from the National Naval Postgraduate Dental School. 

Captain Norman entered active duty in July of 1987, and was assigned as a General Dentist to Naval Dental Clinic, Parris Island, SC.  In 1988, he transferred to the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), where he deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield.  In 1990, he was assigned to U. S. Naval Dental Center, Subic Bay, RP, and was present during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.  Upon completion of his tour in the Philippines, he reported to Branch Dental Clinic, Kings Bay, GA as a general dentist.   Captain Norman left Kings Bay in 1994 to assume the duties of Senior Dental Officer, Naval Support Facility, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.  While assigned to Diego Garcia, he was selected for Prosthodontics Residency at the National Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD.  Upon completion of his Prosthodontic Residency, he was assigned as Prosthodontic Department Head and Laboratory Officer, 12^th Dental Company, Cherry Point, NC. After departing Cherry Point in 2001, he became the Senior Dental Officer/Dental Department Head onboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), where he deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, he reported to Naval Dental Center Far East/Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan as Prosthodontic Department Head and Laboratory Officer. Captain Norman left Japan in September 2005 and reported to Branch Health Clinic, Parris Island, SC as Prosthodontic Department Head. He assumed the duties of Director of Dental Services and Senior Dental Executive for Naval Hospital Beaufort/MCRD Parris Island in May 2006. Captain Norman left Beaufort in August 2010, and assumed the position of Executive Officer, 2d Dental BN/NDC Camp Lejeune in September 2010.

Captain Norman’s awards include: Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with four gold stars, Navy Achievement Medal with four gold stars, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation with bronze star, Meritorious Unit Commendation with silver star, Battle ‘E’, National Defense Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars, Overseas Service Ribbon with silver star, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Battalion Senior Chief,
HMCS Matthew T. DesChamps

HMCS (FMF/SW/AW) DesChamps enlisted in the United States Navy and reported to basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, 18 July 1988.  Upon completion of recruit training he attended Hospital Corps “A” School, Great Lakes, Illinois followed by Field Medical Service School, Camp Pendleton, CA.  He reported to Naval Hospital, Newport, Rhode Island in February 1989.  During his tour, Hospitalman DesChamps, worked on a Medical Surgical Ward and later deployed to Operations Desert Shield/Storm with 2D FSSG, Golf Company. 

Upon his return from deployment HM3 DesChamps was assigned to the Emergency Department as an EMT.  He transferred in February 1992 to 2D Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC and was assigned to 2d Battalion, 8th Marines.  He deployed with 2/8 on a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan and completed various exercises.  In December 1994, HM2 DesChamps transferred to Instructor School and upon completion was assigned to Naval Aviations Schools Command as a Water Survival, Land Survival and Physical Fitness Instructor for API, OCS and Air Crew candidates were he was the only triple qualified instructor at the command during his tour.  He received his Master Training Specialist designation and completed his AA degree with Troy State University.  HM2 transferred back to 2D Marine Division in 1998 where he was assigned to 2d Battalion, 2d Marines as Platoon Sergeant for the BAS.  He deployed with the 22nd MEU and upon return deployed again with the 26th  MEU where he was advanced to HM1.  He transferred to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune in 2001, where he was assigned to the Emergency Department as the LPO and was selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer 16 Sept 2001. 

HMC DesChamps deployed to Guantanamo Bay Cuba with Fleet Hospital 20 in January 2002, where he oversaw medical operations at Camp X-ray Medical Clinic.  Upon his return in June 2002 he was reassigned to the ER and then deployed again to GTMO as the SEL for Fleet Hospital 20.  He then transferred to Naval Medical Clinic Bahrain as the SEL for a 1 year unaccompanied tour.  HMC Deschamps returned back to 2D Marine Division where he was assigned to Amphibious Assault Battalion and then moved to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines as the Battalion Chief.  While at 1/8 he deployed in support of Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts and with the 24th MEU where they evacuated 15,000 Americans from the U. S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.  Upon his return he was reassigned to 10th Marine Regiment as the Regimental Senior Chief and was promoted in May 2007.  He then transferred to 2d Dental Battalion, Naval Dental Center, Camp Lejeune where he was assigned as the Clinic Senior Chief at Osborne Dental Clinic in May 2008.  In January 2009 he was appointed as the Command Senior Chief, 2d Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center.          

He holds an Associates of Science/General Education from Troy State University.  His personal awards includes: Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation (3); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4); and various service and campaign awards.