Capt. Torrin Velazquez
U.S. Navy
Capt. Torrin Velazquez is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and a graduate from Xavier University of Louisiana. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2005 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He completed Family Medicine Internship and Residency at Naval Hospital Pensacola and certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine in July 2008.
Operationally, he served from 2009-2010 as Surgeon Naval Surface Group Mid-Pacific; in 2011 he deployed as OIC, Tonga Medical Clinic during Pacific Partnership 2011; in 2013 as Senior MEF Officer for the USSOUTHCOM Brazil Bilateral Exchange Mission in Formosa Brazil; and in 2014 as Medical Director, Camp Bastion/Leatherneck/Shorebak Complex Regional Command Southwest, Afghanistan. His staff assignments include Group Surgeon for Commander Naval Surface Group Mid-Pacific; Regimental Surgeon, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, Brigade Surgeon 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Deputy/Acting Group Surgeon 1st Marine Logistics Group; and Group Surgeon, Marine Aircraft Group 16.
In garrison, he was assigned in July 2008 to Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain. In November 2009, he served as Department Head of Primary and Specialty Services, Makalapa Clinic, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii. In December 2014, he reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego as Senior Medical Officer, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD). In December 2016, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 16 as Group Surgeon and Chair of the Marine Expeditionary Force’s Medical Executive Committee. In November 2019, he reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego as Department Head, MCRD Clinic and in February 2020, he was appointed as Director of Branch Clinics. In February 2021, he was selected as the Director of Medical Affairs for the San Diego Market Office. In June 2022, Velazquez reported as Executive Officer to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Camp Pendleton, CA.
On June 7, 2024, Velazquez reported as Commanding Officer to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Yokosuka, Japan.
Velazquez is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a Distinguished Graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and an Adjunct Professor of Family Medicine from the Uniformed Services University. He is qualified as a Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer and a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Gold Stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the US Army Achievement Medal.
Capt. Donavon A. Yapshing
U.S. Navy
Capt. Donavon YapShing is a native of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. He holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loma Linda University School of Nursing.
He began his professional career in June 1989, working in the Surgical/Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Loma Linda University Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center. He also served in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit until 1994.
In 1994, YapShing was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force and assigned to March Air Force Base, where he served as a staff nurse in the Special Care Unit and an emergency room charge nurse. In 1996, he transferred to Travis Air Force Base, serving as a charge nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, the Medical Intensive Care Unit, and in Interventional Radiology, monitoring conscious sedation patients.
He separated from the Air Force in December 1999 to pursue pre-doctoral coursework. He earned his dental degree in May 2011 and reported to the Postgraduate Year One Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at Naval Medical Center San Diego in July 2011.
In October 2012, he was assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit SOMERSET (LPD 25) in San Diego, where he served as the senior dental officer and department head of Health Services through the ship’s commissioning. He also served as officer in charge of the LPD 25 Pre-Commissioning Detachment, San Diego.
YapShing’s subsequent assignments included Naval Hospital Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, where he served as assistant department head and team leader, providing dental care for Marine recruits and staff. He then transferred to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in Norfolk, Virginia, serving as dental department head and deploying twice to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
He accepted back-to-back operational tours, serving as clinic director at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, with 3rd Dental Battalion at Evans Dental Clinic/Kadena Annex, leading a staff of 76 active duty and civilian personnel. He was subsequently selected for a milestone billet as director of dental services at United States Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Okinawa.
Capt. YapShing currently serves as executive officer at United States Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Yokosuka and deputy director of U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Air Force Achievement Medal. He also holds Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer and Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer qualifications