Photo By 1st Sgt. John Etheridge | Navy Capt. Mary Neil has chief petty officer anchors pinned on her lapel as she is...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Service members and senior leaders from around Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, gathered together at the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit for a change of command ceremony Sept. 19, 2014.
At the ceremony, Navy Capt. Mary Neill relinquished command of the NATO Role 3 MMU to Navy Capt. Maria Majar.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, commander of Kandahar Airfield, and the presiding officer of the ceremony, gave a speech in which he highlighted the accomplishments of Neill’s command and the NATO Role 3 hospital’s accomplishments and importance to those serving in Afghanistan.
“Under her command (Neill’s), the men and women of the Role 3 have been able to maintain a 98 percent survival rate. That’s an amazing statistic,” said Fantini.
“She and her team spearheaded efforts in capability and capacity building through medical training mentorship with Kandahar Regional Medical Hospital resulting in placing the Afghan medical system in the lead for trauma care for Afghan military and police forces here,” he added. “If that’s not impressive enough, our MMU runs a wounded warrior recovery center providing in-theater care for wounded troops with a 90 percent return-to-duty rate.”
Fantini also welcomed the incoming commander and introduced her to the audience in his speech.
“Welcome to Kandahar. Capt. Majar is the right person for the job. Her background in environmental preventive medicine and preventive health will serve her well and serve Kandahar well,” he said. “You are inheriting an amazing group of men and women and I have no doubt you will continue to focus on the mission, the people and our family here at Kandahar.”
Before giving her farewell speech, Neill was awarded the Legion of Merit for her service as Role 3’s commander.
“I have had the honor of serving alongside the most amazing professionals who have dedicated themselves to making a difference and being there whenever they were called upon,” said Neill during her speech.
Neill also thanked her Role III administrators, subordinate leaders, workers, co-workers and partners that made her command and time at KAF successful.
The new commander also addressed the audience and reaffirmed the mission and roles of the NATO Role 3: supporting the warfighter by serving as combat trauma surgical team, emergency medical services, behavior health services, and medical administration support.
“It is definitely my honor and privilege to stand here as the commander of the NATO Role III Multinational Medical Unit,” said Majar. “We will continue to serve and build upon the proud tradition of the Role 3 and the Navy.”
Near the end of the ceremony Neill was inducted as an honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer into the Chief’s Mess. As part of the induction she had the anchors of the chief’s rank pinned onto her lapel by the Role 3 chief petty officers.
“Undoubtedly it’s the greatest honor in my career. When other people recognize that you’re doing the right thing and that you make a difference: That’s what the anchors mean,” said Neill who was surprised by the honor.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2014 02:55 |
| Story ID: | 142800 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 1,549 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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