Welcome!
You have been selected to join an outstanding team of Sailors and Marines. As a member of the Branch Medical Clinic you will play a major part in ensuring that the Marines and Sailors assigned to the Mountain Warfare Training Center are provided high quality medical care.
The Mountain Warfare Training Center is the Marine Corps most remote duty station and presents unique challenges to staff members and families. Although remote there are many family oriented activities that are readily available throughout the region.
Welcome to the Branch Medical Clinic Bridgeport, California. We are a tenant command of the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center and our parent command is Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms. We are designed and staffed to provide routine and urgent care to residents of this isolated duty station and local beneficiaries.
We are located approximately 25 miles from the small town of
Bridgeport, California and approximately one hour from Lake Tahoe.
Once you recieve orders here, please contact our Sponsor Coordinator at 760-932-1616 or by email at
usn.29palms.navhosp29plmca.list.nhtp-sponsor@mail.mil
History of the Branch Medical Clinic Bridgeport
The Center was established in 1951 as the Cold Weather Battalion with a mission of providing cold weather training for replacement personnel bound for Korea. After the Korean Conflict, the name was changed to the "Marine Corps Cold Weather Training Center." As a result of its expanded role, the Center was renamed "Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center" in 1963. MCMWTC operated on a full-time basis until 1967 when it was placed in a caretaker status as a result of the Vietnam War.
The training Center was reactivated as a full-time command on 19 May 1976. Today it is the premier institute for training in mountain and cold weather warfare. The Center is located on California Highway 108 at Pickel Meadow, some 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California and 100 miles south of Reno, Nevada, on 46,000 acres of the Toiyabe National Forest.
Under agreement with the US Forest Service the Marine Corps uses the training area to instruct US and international military personnel in mountain and cold weather combat operations. The Center is located at 6,762 feet, with elevations in the training areas ranging to 11,459 feet. During the winter season (October - April), snow accumulation can reach depths of six to eight feet. Further, severe storms can deposit as much as four feet of snow in a 12 hour period. Annual temperatures range from +90 degrees to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mountain Warfare Training Center personnel and their beneficiaries fall under TRICARE Remote coverage.
Mission, Vision, and Values
NAVY MEDICINE READINESS TRAINING COMMAND TWENTYNINE PALMS
Vision
NMRTC Twentynine Palms will be the premier remote training command for clinical excellence, readiness, and warfighter survivability.
Mission
We support readiness and health of the Navy and Marine Corps family by providing safe and high quality healthcare.
Elements of our Vision
Establish the top operational medical training center in Navy Medicine
Improve internal satisfaction
Be the hospital of choice to deliver the highest quality care to the warfighter and the beneficiary
NMRTC Twentynine Palms and our branch clinics are the duty station of choice
Our Culture
Caring and Compassion
Engagement
Integrity
Honest and Open Communications
Ownership
Resiliency
Our 5 Strategies
1. We will build the next generation of leaders.
2. We will ensure effective internal and external communications.
3. We will take care of our own.
4. We will establish agreements (MOUs) to create and sustain training.
5. We will better manage data, funds, and human capital.
Services Offered
- Family Practice/Military Medicine
- Basic Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Radiology.
- Routine Military and Dependent Immunizations (Supplies may be limited)
- Overseas/Sea Duty Screenings
Because the clinic is designed and equipped to primarily treat general medical conditions, anyone requiring referral or ongoing care from cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, internal medicine, neurology, orthopedic, ophthalmology, or psychiatric specialties will not be considered suitable for this isolated duty station. If you have an ongoing medical or dental condition, you must obtain special clearance through the Overseas Screening Process before you transfer.
If a medical emergency condition develops which is beyond the scope of the health services provided here, the patient will be evacuated to Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville, Nevada, Carson/Tahoe Medical Center in Carson City, Nevada, Barton Memorial in Lake Tahoe, California, or Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. Evacuation is done primarily by ground transport by ambulance, and if time is critical, by air evacuation via Care Flight.
Eye Care and Eye Wear - Though general eye care is available, corrective lens prescriptions cannot be written or filled at the clinic. Those who wear contact lenses should bring an extra pair of lenses and a pair of glasses. If you wear glasses, be sure to bring two pairs and a current prescription. Glasses for active duty beneficiaries may be ordered by the Branch Medical Clinic with a current prescription, however it takes approximately two weeks to get glasses. Even if you do not wear corrective lenses, it is still advisable to bring sunglasses designed to block ultra-violet rays. If in need of a prescription while stationed onboard you will be referred to a local optometrist that has been approved by Tricare Remote.
Dental services are provided quarterly by the Dental Battalion, otherwise all beneficiaries are authorized to utilize the TRICARE Remote Dental Program to receive treatment by their nearest dental provider.
Personnel are strongly encouraged to resolve any TRICARE issues prior to departure from previous duty. The following web sites may be used as references:
www.tricare.osd.mil and for the TRICARE Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan use:
www.ucci.com
Directions
Location:
MWTC HC83, Bridgeport, CA 93517
From Reno, Nevada:
Get on I-80 East from North Center Street
Follow I-580 South and U.S. 395 South to Mono County (1 hour, 50 minutes, 102 miles)
BHC Bridgeport is located aboard the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center
From Twentynine Palms, CA:
Take CA-62 West to Yucca Valley
Turn right onto CA-247 North (Old Woman Springs Road) (41.6 miles)
In Lucerne Valley, merge right onto CA-247 (North Barstow Road) (33.1 miles)
Turn left to merge onto I-15 South (3 miles)
Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 179 for CA-58 toward Bakersfield (.5 miles)
Continue onto CA-58 W (29.2 miles)
Take exit 206 toward US-395 N (.4 miles)
Turn right onto US-395 N (178 miles)
Continue straight onto US-395 N/N Main St (continue on US-395 North) (106 miles)
Turn left onto CA-108 W (4.6 miles)
BHC Bridgeport is located aboard the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center
Closed for Federal and Training Holidays.
All clinics will be closed for training holidays, and for the following Federal holidays:
Veterans Day: November 11, 2020
Thanksgiving Day: November 26, 2020
Christmas Day: December 25, 2020
New Year's Day: January 1, 2021
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: January 18, 2021
Washington's Birthday: February 15, 2021
Memorial Day: May 31, 2021
Independence Day: July 4, 2021
Labor Day: September 6, 2021
Columbus Day: October 11, 2021
Veterans Day: November 11, 2021
Thanksgiving Day: November 25, 2021
Christmas Day: December 25, 2021