Carol I . Turner Rear Admiral Carol I . Turner served as the Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps from 2003 to 2007 . She served as the commanding officer of the National Naval Dental Center at Bethesda , Maryland . Early life . Rear Admiral Carol Turner graduated , with distinction , from both Purdue University and Indiana University School of Dentistry ( 1975 ) . Upon completion of dental school , she practiced in Jacksonville , North Carolina until 1977 . In September of that year , she was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy Dental Corps . Navy career . Her first duty assignment was at Marine Corps Base , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina In May 1979 , she was transferred to the USS Vulcan ( AR - 5 ) , home - ported at Norfolk , VA . She served as an assistant dental officer and subsequently as the division officer for the ship ’ s dental department . Rear Adm . Turner transferred to Naval Dental Center Norfolk in June 1981 . In 1984 , she was selected for training and assigned to Naval Postgraduate Dental School , Bethesda , Md . , where she completed a residency program in advanced clinical dentistry and the requirements for a master of arts in oral biology . Her next assignment was as Officer - In - Charge of Branch Dental Clinic , Bermuda . Rear Adm . Turner began a tour as a staff officer under the Chief , Navy Dental Corps , in 1988 . During her tour at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery , she served as Head of Manpower Resources and subsequently Head of the Logistics Division . In July 1991 , she transferred to the Naval War College , Newport , R . I . , as a student in the College of Naval Warfare , where she completed a master of arts in national security and strategic studies . After graduation , Rear Adm . Turner reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point , North Carolina , as the Commanding Officer of 12th Dental Company , 2nd Dental Battalion , 2nd Force Service Support Group . In 1994 , she assumed duties as the Executive Officer of Naval Dental Center Newport , R . I . Rear Adm . Turner next reported as Commanding Officer of the combined command 1st Dental Battalion , 1st Force Service Support Group / Naval Dental Center , Camp Pendleton , Calif . in 1996 . She served as Officer - in - Charge , Naval Healthcare Support Office , Norfolk . In July 2001 she assumed command of the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda , Md . She has served as the Deputy Chief for Dental Operations then subsequently Health Care Operations for Navy Medicine at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery , Washington . In June 2005 , she assumed duty as the Commander Naval Medical Education and Training Command , Bethesda , Md . She also served as the first female Chief of the Navy Dental Corps from November 2003 to August 2007 . Rear Adm . Turner is presently serving as Commander , Navy Medicine Support Command , Jacksonville , Florida . Rear Adm . Turner maintains membership in the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry . She is a Fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International . Awards and decorations . Rear Adm . Turner ’ s personal awards include the Legion of Merit ( with three gold stars ) , Meritorious Service Medal ( with two gold stars ) , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ( with gold star ) , and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal . Education . Rear Admiral Carol Turner graduated , with distinction , from both Purdue University and Indiana University School of Dentistry ( 1975 ) . She was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate Dental School , Bethesda , Md . , where she completed a residency program in advanced clinical dentistry and the requirements for a master of arts in oral biology . In July 1991 , she transferred to the Naval War College , Newport , R . I . , as a student in the College of Naval Warfare , where she completed a master of arts in national security and strategic studies .