The retirement of the head of the military’s health agency, U.S. Army Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, was recently announced as some officials claim that she was forced to leave her position.
Announced by acting assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Stephen Ferrara, Crosland, who had been in charge of the Defense Health Agency and was considered to be one of the most senior Black officers in the U.S. Army, was thanked for her work as she is reportedly “beginning her retirement.”
Speaking to Reuters however, two sources claimed that she was forced to retire on Friday after 32-years of serving. The current and former officials did not say exactly why she was reportedly forced to retire.
When Reuters reached out to the Pentagon to get an answer on why Crosland retired, they declined to say and referred the outlet to the Defense Health Agency who did not respond.
David Smith will replace Crosland in the latest change to the position as the Acting Director.
Crosland first graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1989. She received her Doctor of Medicine from her education at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College before moving on to obtain a Master of Public Health Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School.
In 1993, Crosland joined the U.S. Army as a Medical Corps Officer where she served many leadership roles, including deputy surgeon general of the U.S. Army, in a variety of cities across the U.S. On September 29, 2022, she was confirmed as the director of the Defense Health Agency.
Throughout her career, Crosland was awarded with the Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Legion of Merit and the Army Staff Badge.
In an article released in 2023 following her recent confirmation as director of the Defense Health Agency, Crosland celebrated her career.
“I always wanted to be a physician, since I was five. I was very much about becoming a doctor,” said Crosland. “I am thrilled to be where I’m at. I’ve gotten way more [from the Army] than I’ve given. The scales are way tilted in my favor.”
