Nadja West facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nadja Y. West
Born	(1961-03-20) March 20, 1961 (age 64) Washington, D.C., United States
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1982–2019
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Surgeon General of the United States Army United States Army Medical Command Europe Regional Medical Command Womack Army Medical Center McDonald Army Community Hospital
Battles/wars	Gulf War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4)
Alma mater	United States Military Academy (BS) George Washington University School of Medicine (MD)

Nadja Yudith West (born March 20, 1961) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. She was the 44th Surgeon General of the United States Army. She also led the United States Army Medical Command.

General West is a doctor. She was the first black Army Surgeon General. She was also the first black woman to reach the rank of major general while serving in the Army. Later, she became the first black woman to be a lieutenant general in the Army. She is the highest-ranking woman to have ever graduated from the United States Military Academy.

Early Life and Education

Nadja West was adopted at two years old. She grew up in Washington, D.C. with her new family. Her family also adopted two other children.

She finished high school at the Academy of the Holy Names in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1982, she earned a degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. She then went on to get her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine in 1988. She is a Roman Catholic.

Amazing Career in the Army

Nadja West made history on April 19, 2013. She was promoted to be the second black female major general. When asked about this, she said she never thought about being the "first" or "second."

Her parents taught her to work hard and always do her best. She hoped her achievements would inspire others. She wanted people to see that they could reach high positions too. She even said that seeing the black female character, Uhura, on Star Trek inspired her early on.

On December 11, 2015, the Senate approved her promotion. She became a lieutenant general and the 44th Army Surgeon General. This made her the first black Surgeon General in the Army. She was also the first black woman to hold the rank of lieutenant general. She officially took command of MEDCOM on February 10, 2016.

General West completed her medical training at Martin Army Hospital. She served during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. These were important military actions in the Gulf War. She also specialized in skin care (dermatology). She worked at Heidelberg Army Hospital in Germany.

She also earned a master's degree in National Security Strategy. General West loves her military medical career. She feels inspired by the brave soldiers she cares for. She says that helping these men and women is why the military health system exists.

General West held many important leadership roles. She was the Commanding General for the Europe Regional Medical Command. She also commanded the Womack Army Medical Center. She served as the doctor for the 1st Armored Division in Germany. She was also the Joint Staff Surgeon in Washington.

She is a respected member of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is also part of the American Academy of Family Physicians. After retiring from the Army, she joined the board of directors for Johnson & Johnson in 2020. In 2022, she joined the Board of Visitors for the United States Military Academy.

Awards and Recognitions

Nadja West has received many awards for her service.

• Army Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit (four times)
• Combat Medical Badge
• Basic Flight Surgeon Badge
• Parachutist Badge
• Air Assault Badge

In 2017, the American Legion of Honor Society gave her the "Four Chaplains Gold Medallion" award.

Images for kids

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  Combat Medical Badge

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  Basic Flight Surgeon Badge

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  Army Distinguished Service Medal

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  Defense Superior Service Medal

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  Legion of Merit

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  Defense Meritorious Service Medal

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  Meritorious Service Medal

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  Army Commendation Medal

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  Army Achievement Medal

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  National Defense Service Medal

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  Southwest Asia Service Medal

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  Kosovo Campaign Medal

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  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

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  Korea Defense Service Medal

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  Army Service Ribbon

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  Army Overseas Service Ribbon

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  NATO Medal for former Yugoslavia

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  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

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  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

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  Parachutist Badge

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  Air Assault Badge

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  Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

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  Army Staff Identification Badge

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  Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Distinctive Unit Insignia

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  German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency

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  Joint Meritorious Unit Award

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  Navy Unit Commendation

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  24th Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge