Army Commander of JBLM Hospital Removed Over Undisclosed Allegations

Col. Christopher Warner at Joint Base Lewis-McChord — Col. Christopher Warner addresses the audience during a change-of-command ceremony for Madigan Army Medical Center Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Wash. (John Wayne Liston/U.S. Army)

Military.com | By Matthew Cox

Published April 30, 2021

The Army has fired the commander of Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington after the completion of an investigation into undisclosed allegations against him.

Col. Christopher Warner, who has been suspended from the job since Oct. 5, was "officially relieved" March 1 by Lt. Gen. Randy George, commander of I Corps, Lt. Col. Neil Penttila said in an Army statement.

George ordered the investigation "when allegations came to light in late September 2020 that were unrelated to Madigan, its personnel, or JBLM," Penttilla said.

Penttilla would not release further details about the allegations against Warner because of privacy concerns.

The News Tribune first reported this story.

Col. Scott Roofe is serving as the acting Madigan commander and will continue in that capacity, according to Penttilla said in the statement.

On Wednesday, 10th Mountain Division Maj. Gen. Brian J. Mennes fired the Fort Drum, New York unit's 1st Brigade Combat Team commander for alleged misconduct.

Col. J.T. Eldridge was relieved "due to a loss in trust in his ability to command." Fort Drum officials would not discuss the allegations against Eldridge but said they were not connected to an equal opportunity complaint, allegations of sexual misconduct or a toxic work environment.

Lt. Col. Dwight Towler, commander of the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, is assuming command of the 1st BCT until a permanent replacement has been chosen.

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

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Related Topics: Military Headlines Army Relieved of Command Topics

Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. During his time with Military.com he covered all the services, with a close eye on Army weapons development and procurement, body armor testing, camouflage, ammunition as well as readiness and training issues. He previously worked for 12 years for Army Times. He traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times from 2002 to 2008, covering Stryker and light infantry units in combat. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. Read Full Bio

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