Photo By Spc. Anthony Martinez | Lt. Col. RC Chao transfers the colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Sanchez during the...... read more read more
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PUERTO NUEVO, Puerto Rico – Lt. Col. Brian P. Friedland relinquished command to Lt.Col. RC Chao during the 49th Multifunctional Medical Battalion (MMB) change of command ceremony held at Cpt. Euripides Rubio Reserve Center, June 4.
Family, friends, leaders and community members gathered to witness this momentous event. The passing of the 49th MMB flag, or colors, represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from one flag officer to another. The passing of the colors from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its Soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of Soldiers to their unit’s commander.
In this centuries-old ceremony, the flag was first presented by Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Sanchez, who passed the colors to the outgoing commander, Friedland, who in turn passed the flag to Col. Richard Toye, relinquishing his command and gratitude for the opportunity to lead Soldiers.
This moment is symbolic of the transfer of command.
Col. Toye then transferred the colors to Chao, entrusting him with the responsibility and care of the Installation. Chao accepted the flag from McCullough as he assumed command of the 49th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, before returning the flag to Sanchez to complete the change of command ceremony.
Toye, commander of the 332nd Medical Brigade, highlighted some significant accomplishments that Friedland achieved during his two years as garrison commander.
“Your accomplishments in this year’s IRT, your incredible showing on the Department of the Army Phillip A. Connelly Competition show your skills and your commitment to service,” said Toye. “Lt. Col. Friedland is a man of limitless energy, willing to take risks and willing to push to higher standards. He is a good man and a good leader. I will miss him… We will miss him.”
“When I told my mentors I applied for command, they said “Don’t get the 49th”. We all know how that worked out.” said Friedland. “When I arrived I found a troubled unit. Together over the last year and a half, we made some fantastic progress. Morale went up, Statistics got better and we accomplished amazing missions. We sat down and device a strategic plan to make our unit better, a plan to win.”
Friedland heads now to a new assignment, Operations Officer at 807th Medical Command Deployment Support (MCDS), Utah.
“Brian, thank you for all you have done for the 49th MMB” said Chao. “Your hard work, dedication and commitment stands before us today. To the Officers, Noncommissioned Officers and Soldiers of the 49th, I’m grateful for the honor of joining this great team. I’m excited about the privilege to command and look forward to what the future will bring.”
Chao comes from the 94th Combat Support Hospital on Seagoville in Texas, where he served as S2/S3 for the hospital.
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2017 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 236425 |
| Location: | PUERTO NUEVO, PR |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 49th MMB Welcomes Lt. Col. RC Chao, by SPC Anthony Martinez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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