METC is the result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission legislation that required the bulk of enlisted technical medical training in the Army, Air Force, and Navy to be co-located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. As a result, four major learning institutions for Navy and Air Force relocated to Fort Sam Houston, where the Army was already training its enlisted medical force under the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDD C&S) Academy of Health Sciences. The Naval School of Health Sciences (NSHS) in San Diego, California; NSHS in Portsmouth, Virginia; Navy Hospital Corps School (NHCS) in Great Lakes, Illinois; and the 882d Training Group (Now the 59th TRG) at Sheppard Air Force Base moved to Fort Sam Houston. METC became the largest military medical education and training campus in the world.

METC’s footprint covers more than 1.2 million square feet on Fort Sam Houston and needed more than $1.2 billion to build up and equip. After construction began on July 21, 2008, eleven new facilities were built including three student dormitories and five instructional buildings. Other construction included a dining facility, fitness center, and a Navy and Air Force shared command building.

METC entered into its initial operating capability on June 30, 2010. Its initial training course was radiography specialist. Other courses were phased in throughout the rest of the year and into 2011. METC became fully operational capable on September 15, 2011. Then on August 10, 2014, METC was realigned and entered initial operational capability under the newly established Defense Health Agency.

At peak capacity more than 16,500 students are projected to graduate each year, with an average daily student load of approximately 5,500. METC also employs an operating staff and faculty of 1,200. By service, the student breakdown includes approximately 51 percent Army, 32 percent Navy, and 17 percent Air Force. The longest program offered is Navy Biomedical Equipment Maintenance Technician, at 54 weeks; the shortest program offered is Healthcare Administration Specialist, at four weeks. METC offers a total of 48 medical training programs.