Distinguished guests . Ladies and
gentlemen , good afternoon and welcome
to launch to Germany , the home for the
headquarters of Public Health Command .
Europe . The host for today's ceremony
is the Commanding General of Medical
Readiness Command . Europe , Brigadier
General Clinton K Murray . During which
Colonel Kenneth D Spicer will
relinquish command to Colonel Paul D
Lang and master sergeant , Ilkar Urma
will relinquish responsibility to first
sergeant George C Lehman . Today's
ceremony includes the officers , non
commissioned officers and soldiers
representing Public health Command .
Europe units from your left to right in
the formation are public health
activity . Italy commanded by
Lieutenant Colonel Serena T Mukai and
first Sergeant George C Lehman . Public
health activity . Ryland Falls
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Parker
M Hahn and first sergeant , Casey Cole
Public Health Command . Europe
headquarters and headquarters
detachment commanded by Captain Brian P
o'neill and sergeant , first class
Chasity Tennyson , the Public Health
Command , Europe color guard led by the
Public Health Command . Europe , senior
enlisted advisor , Master Sergeant
Ilker Urma , the commander of troops
for today's ceremony is a Director of
Environmental Health Sciences , Public
Health Command , Europe . Lieutenant
Colonel Paul and Hester participating
in today's ceremony is the United
States Army Europe and Africa alliance
brass quintet led by Sergeant Ryan
Elliott . Also joining us in the
audience this afternoon are the
commanders and command sergeant major
of many distinguished units .
Today's official party consists of
Brigadier General Clinton K Murray ,
commanding General of Medical Readiness
Command , Europe . He is accompanied by
the public health command . Europe .
Outgoing Commander Colonel Kenneth D
Spicer and Public Health Command ,
Europe . Incoming Commander Colonel
Paul D Lang . Ladies and gentlemen ,
please stand for the invocation given
by chaplain of Medical readiness
command . Europe , Colonel William
Lovell .
I invite you to pray in the manner of
your tradition as I pray in the manner
of mine . Let us pray eternal God . We
pause to give you thanks for public
health Command . Europe , selfless care
provided to our extended military
community , as evidenced by the clean
water . We drink the high quality of
food . We consume the safe environments
of our workplaces and training areas
and the sustained health of our fur
bearing family members as a change of
command and relinquishment of
responsibility takes place . I ask for
your blessing upon Colonel Kenneth
Spicer and master sergeant and their
families as they depart to their next
assignments . I ask for a blessing upon
Colonel Paul Lang and First Sergeant
George Lehman as they assume their
duties , grant them an unlimited
measure of your wisdom and favor in
leading public health command . Europe .
I ask all these things to the welfare
of our nation . And the furtherance of
your purposes here on earth . Amen .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .
Ladies and gentlemen , please direct
your attention to the parade field as
the Adjutant First Lieutenant Taylor .
A Hughes begins the ceremony . The
Adjutant's call denotes the beginning
of a formal ceremony and is con
conducted so by American armed forces
for more than 150 years .
You
now taking the field , the commander of
troops , Lieutenant Colonel Paul N
Hester and th ce staff
sir , the command is formed . Take your
post
down order arms and parade rack .
Oh , ok .
At this time , the Public Health
Command , Europe N CEO of the year
Sergeant Rodriguez Rivera will present
a bouquet of red roses to Colonel
Spicer's wife Suzanne son Kenneth and
daughter Emma symbolizing the bonds of
loyalty to the Public Health Command .
Europe soldiers and civilians during
his command . We wish Colonel Spicer's
family a fond farewell .
At this time , the Public Health
Command Europe soldier of the year
corporal Hernandez will present a
bouquet of yellow rose buds to Colonel
Lang's wife , Heather and daughters
Madeleine and Sylvia symbolizing their
arrival to the unit in time . These
rose buds will blossom as will the
relationship with the Public Health
Command Europe family .
At this time , the Public Health
Command , Europe N CEO of the year
Sergeant Rodriguez Rivera will present
a bouquet of red roses to master
Sergeant Erma's wife . Ashley also in
attendance are master Sergeant . Erma's
sister Cordula , brother-in-law Andreas
and nephew Lucas , as well as our pup
Momo who are all receiving gifts of
appreciation for their support . We
wish him and his family a fond farewell
as master sergeant , Urma departs to
the United States army sergeants major
academy .
Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for
the arrival of the official party and
the presentation of honors to Brigadier
General Murray .
00 ,
take your post and present the command .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated
down on
officers and colors . Center
mark . Mhm
Sir , the colors are present if you
post and present the command .
Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for
the singing of the national anthems by
sergeant first class chastity Tennyson .
I
meter
high fresh
fright dark blue .
I says
Luis blue
and I am glad
says Luis blue it
to land .
Oh , say can you
see by the dawn's
early light ? What so
proudly ? We hailed
at the twilight lasting .
Who's broad stripes and bright
stars through the pail
fight or the red parts
we watched were so
gently streaming
and the rock is red .
The bombs bursting in air
gave proved through the
night that a flag was
still there . Oh ,
say does that star Bale
went for
the and of the first
and uh home of
the A .
Hey ,
ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .
Ladies and gentlemen this afternoon ,
Colonel Kenneth D Spicer relinquishes
command of Public Health Command Europe
to Colonel Paul D Lang . Colonel Lang
adds to a list of distinguished leaders
that have commanded this outstanding
organization as he assumes his command ,
the very soul of a military unit is
symbolized by the colors under which it
fights for . It records the colors of
the past stands as a guardian over its
present destiny and ensures inspiration
for its future history . Dictates that
the colors lead the unit into battle
instructions given to the color bears
historically sa when in action resolve
not to part with the colors but instead
with your life . The colors serve as a
proud emblem of our history . The
ceremonial passing of the colors
signifies the transferring of authority
and responsibility from one commander
to another . We will now witness the
change of command and responsibility .
The sergeant major , the constant upon
whom the commander can always depend .
Passes the colors which represents the
soldiers and civilians of public health
command . Europe to Colonel Spicer for
the last time symbolizing his final
allegiance as a sergeant major ,
Colonel Spicer relinquishes his duties
responsibilities and authority as
commander by passing the organizational
colors to medical readiness command .
Europe commander , Brigadier General
Murray ,
Brigadier General Murray passes the
organizational colors to Colonel Lang
which signifies bestowing the authority
of the command and responsibility for
the soldiers and civilians of public
health command . Europe by
authority of army regulation 600-20
paragraph 2-5 . The undersigned assumes
command of public health command ,
Europe effective 30 June 2023 signed
Paul D Lang . Colonel Medical Service
Corps , commanding Colonel Lang
returns the organizational colors to
the first Sergeant Lehman symbolizing
the trust between the soldiers and
civilians and their leaders and thus
completing the transfer of command .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
the Commander of Medical Readiness
Command . Europe , Brigadier General
Clinton K Murray .
So a little breeze in there , uh to ,
to cool us off anyway , y'all shake it
out a little bit . I know it's getting
a little warm out there . So I
appreciate it . Uh You , you can
probably tell this is my fourth change
of command in two weeks . I was clearly
on autopilot . Just gave an order . The
great thing is the lieutenant colonel
over there completely followed my order
and then went . Nope , I'm not supposed
to do that and then came back so well
done . Thanks . Thanks for trying to
make me look good . I do appreciate
that , but I think they all figured it
out at the end . So I truly am excited
to be here . It is my fourth change of
command . I got another one in a couple
of months , but to be able to do this
one is extra special to be on this
field where I had a change of command
yesterday . I had my own change of
command . We set up the medical ran
command you up on this field . It
really is a special place , a very
special location with some incredible
history behind it . I want to
especially welcome our senior leaders ,
our commanders , our command sergeant
majors and senior list advisers . Thank
you for all being here . I especially
want to thank our Bunda Beer partners
for coming . Thanks for the recognition
of all the great work Public health
command . Europe's leadership has done
so well done . And then our community
partners from across Germany , we
wouldn't be able to do this without you .
So thank you for always being there .
Uh I especially want to recognize the
formation . You truly look outstanding
spot on . The only one that screwed up
was the CG . So that was a good day .
So well done out there . Uh I also want
to thank the color guard . You were
spot on . So really , really perfect .
And the , the band , you did a ceremony
this morning , you're back here today .
You did a ceremony yesterday . You ,
you , you were , you were earning your
money , so , so incredibly well done .
So thanks .
And then what , what , what a , a
couple amazing renditions of the
national anthem . Uh I , I don't , I
don't see her where you , where you are .
Let's give her a round applause . It's
always special . When we're here in
Germany , we get to hear both of those
at the same time because I think it
really does reflect how important our
relationship and our collaboration is .
And , and I always like to think that
the families , the spouses that are
part of this , we are not successful
without you , we get a little award
ceremony ahead of time and I always try
to bring the family members up front
because it really is reflective of how
important you are . And it's not just
the family members of the and the
incoming , but it's also the family
members and the spouses of the entire
formation . And I will say we're
missing part of the formation . We
don't have our civilians out here and
they absolutely are vital for our
success . They probably don't march
much better than I do . So it's
probably a good reason we don't have
them out here . But again , I want to
recognize the specific family member .
So Ken , your amazing wife Suzanne and
your kids , thank you for always being
there for teaching us German and thank
you for teaching us the culture . We
really do appreciate that . And Masar
NMA , it's great to have Ashley here
and the rest of your family . And I
really hope the camera can get a
picture of their dog , Mumu . I was
expecting some military working dogs
out in formation . But this is actually
better to have this amazing little dog
hanging out with us . He's sleeping .
He's doing great right now and then
Paul to have your great family here .
It's really nice . Heather and your two
daughters and Heather . Really ? Thanks
for your service . I know you're a West
Point graduate . Served for eight years
and deployed . I wasn't supposed to say
that I apologize , but thank you for
your service , not only to , to , to ,
to , to your family , but also just
your service to the country . It really
does mean a lot . So thank you . And
then we have a first sergeant layman
filling in . I think he's hiding behind
the formation over there . Thank you
for , for your family and all the
support that they do . So it's really
great . Um As I , as I , as I get asked
questions about the medical read
command in Europe and they say , what ,
what do you do ? Why are you here ?
It's really easy to highlight public
health command in Europe is is sort of
the the the center stage piece that we
should all recognize that what we do .
Excellent , excellent every day . If
you look at the mission statement for
Medical Readiness command , Europe ,
the first thing is to provide medical
forces for health protection and health
service support to conserve the
fighting strength . And then the next
line is to enable health and readiness .
And then the third line is to integrate
and liaise at echelon for force health
protection and health service support .
And then if you go up two layers higher
and you look at United States army ,
Europe and Africa's sort of lines of
effort . The first one is setting the
theater making sure we're safe in this
environment . And then the last one is
making sure we're increasing the scale
capability and interoperability of our
allies and partners and truthfully
public health command Europe does that
better than anyone else across Europe .
And they should be incredibly proud of
that . And I've gotten to watch this
really over the last year and I think
they do it brilliantly well , in 22
sort of spaces . The first is the that
space , the veterinarian space , right ?
So we have the token mumu here to
represent , you know , privately owned
animals . But really , it's that vet
space , the classic space that you
think about for a veterinarian . What
is unique is only the army has
veterinarians , the Air force and the
Navy do not . So we have incredibly
young captains and incredibly junior
NCOS stationed in places like Turkey
and in the UK and in Spain . And you
have this very young captain typically
and this young senior listed adviser ,
working on an army , a navy and an air
force installation , working with
captains , navy captains , navy ,
admirals , army colonels air force ,
colonels and general officers every day .
And what they really need is that
senior leader support from sort of the
activities that are out here on the ,
on the field , but also the senior
leader of public health command because
they won't be successful without doing
that . And I've had the opportunity to ,
to , to of do a physical exam on a
military working dog , they had a good
muzzle on . So that worked out pretty
well . I got to work with the diesel
dog , the simulation dog , which was
pretty cool . A couple of the units out
here like to see if a general officer
can handle a military working dog when
they don't have a muzzle . That's a
little bit more entertaining . I think
there are videos out there . They
should not be shown an open forum .
Clearly , they win when , when you ,
when you wrestle with an £80 military
working dog . But that is what we do ,
But they also sort of make sure we're
doing food and was as the chaplain sort
of mentioned in what , what he brought
up . And I've had the opportunity to
visit dining facilities to visit
commissaries to actually go on a , on a
ship and see what food handling is done
by our vets . And it truly is amazing .
And that's because of the leadership up
here , that's really important . And
then the other thing I think you have
to highlight is this second piece they
have , which is the public health piece .
And that's where they go out and make
sure that environment is safe . And
they've actually gone to 36 different
countries and done 100 different
missions in the last year alone . And ,
and we're talking big missions , right ?
So this is the Defender series on the
eastern flank of Europe where they go
ahead of time , make sure it's safe .
They then go after to make sure it
stays safe because remember we're in a
host country , we want to make sure
that a we're safe when we get there ,
we want to leave it in the same
condition . We found it because that's
incredibly important . And they also do
this across Africa in incredibly um
fragile states . To the point Ken and
his team get a little nervous when we
go to some of these locations . But
because of the professionalism of his
staff , they carry it off brilliantly
every time , every time . And , and
that's why I love being here because
what they're able to talk about is
really setting that theater , really
force health protection and making sure
we do it right . And the other reason
I'm really excited about being here
today is I love doing changes of
command and , and , and responsibility
at the same time because it talks about
the team component that commander is
not gonna work without the senior
enlisted leader . And that's what
that's a little session at the front .
And that guy on are those colors where
they go back in front of that formation
and then it goes back to the soldiers
back there . That , that is really what
this is all about . And that's why I
really love these ceremonies because
you get to put that entire circle here .
Um So Ken and , and Mama
congratulations on an incredibly
successful command and you , you've
just done brilliantly . Well , we're
thrilled Ken that you're gonna stay
here and uh go to the Chief of staff at
the 68 the command and work with uh
Colonel Landers . Uh You're gonna be
one of , I think five people in the ,
in the command eventually 100 and 70 .
But uh six , we're at six . Ok . So one
more well done . Uh , and you're gonna
leave , breathe life into this organ
new organization . So , congratulations .
And the mass , you're off to uh El Paso .
It'll be a little warmer , a little
drier , but you're going to finish our
major academy and we're going to do
everything we can to bring you back
here because truthfully Europe is the
right place for you with your world of
experience . Sorry , we didn't get to
do our Turkey visit together , but you
really should come back here . And then
Sergeant layman , thank you for filling
in for a couple of months . You've done
an amazing job in your current role and
I expect the same thing . And then Paul ,
really , we're excited to have you .
You really have the right experience .
You're another environmental science
and engineering officer , really expert
in your field . You came to us from the
OSG where you were sort of looking at
public health at the strategic level .
So I know you're going to be able to
push that into us . You commanded at
the 187th and Fort Sam Houston's , you
really understand that sort of space
you've commanded at the Public Health
Command detachment at Fort Hood ,
you've deployed Iraq and Afghanistan ,
you sat on the joint staff in the
Pentagon , all of that , you're going
to be able to bring here with your
dynamic personality and you will
continue to excel and I look forward to
spending time with you . So , best of
luck . So again , congratulations ,
great job in the field and I appreciate
it . Thank you .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
the outgoing Public Health Command .
Europe commander , Colonel Kenneth D
Spicer . Thank you .
Thank you very much . The defenders
continue to shake it out . Be at ease .
Well , good afternoon , ladies and
gentlemen , I'd like to extend , uh
extend a special welcome to Brigadier
General and Mrs Murray man , Sergeant ,
Major , Mass and Mrs Mascarenas ,
fellow commanders , command sergeants ,
major , teammates , and friends of
public health command , Europe . Hey ,
thanks a lot for being here today to
witness this time honored tradition . I
also want to extend a very special
welcome to master sergeant wife Ashley
and his sister , Cordula ,
brother-in-law Andreas , her nephew
Lucas . Thanks to our
distinguished partner colleagues for
attending today . Two includes Colonel
Michel Nitkin from the B medical
service pots , our training partners ,
Master Sergeant Kafer and Zimmerman
from the sixth failed Jager regiments
in near Carl's room , as well as doctor
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin . I'll see
you back there . Benjamin representing
the French Armed Forces , Health
Services Harman . And
you certainly add a touch of class to
the special event . Thanks for
traveling so far and continuing to
foster our strong multinational
partnerships and alliances and 10 . And
thanks once again for really rocking
out another rendition of the national
anthems as you do so well . The quintet .
Thank you , sir and Elliott and team
and chaplain love . Thank you for your
invitation and blessing upon our
organization today in the past two
years and into the future to the
soldiers in formation . My brothers and
sisters in arms and the centerpiece for
this ceremony . I am beyond proud to
stand tall with you on this field today .
One last time you all look so good
because you are good and the best in
the business at what you do . Thanks
for being my teammates , these past
couple of years for challenging
yourselves and each other and for
selflessly and voluntarily serving for
a purpose greater than yourselves to
our civilian public health
professionals , support staff enablers
and our local national teammates across
multiple countries and nearly two dozen
installations , nugget it out in the
name of public health and veterinary
services today . Thanks for always
being to the tip of the spear for
public health and and veterinary
services across Europe in support of
multiple combatant commands . You are
the epitome of high performing public
health professionals and your work has
been incredibly impressive and
impactful . So , uh a young man growing
up in upstate New York , uh to this day ,
I'm not a young man anymore , but I'm
still from upstate New York and my
friends and family asked . So , Ken ,
what do you do ? What do you do there
in Europe so long ? Right . So in the
last two years , I tried to explain to
him like this . Well , just imagine the
US Department of Agriculture , the
Environmental Protection Agency , the
Centers for Disease Control , the
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration for the Department of
Defense Army Medicine in Europe .
That's what we do . And I have the
honor and privilege of leading the best
scientists , the best public health
professionals , and the best veterinary
service professionals in the dod hands
down after I told them that they start
to get it . The challenges of the work ,
the men and women of public health
command in Europe do are unlike any
other military public health equity
worldwide . Over the past two years
together , I watched in awe how all of
you did what you did and how it was
anchored by our team's mission to
enable war fighter readiness through
first class delivery of public health
and veterinary services . You came
through on everything I asked you . And
for that , I am forever grateful and it
is not only what you did but how you
did it with extraordinary precision ,
professionalism and poise . I'm so
proud to have been part of your team ,
the crown jewel of all public Army ,
public Health Commands across the globe .
I also want to express my vast
appreciation for all the support from
adjacent units and enablers . We
couldn't do what we do with just a
handful of people compared to your
organizations without great teammates
like lunch , regional Medical Center ,
Medac Bavaria Dental Health Command ,
Europe 30th med brigades , a whole
bunch of army Navy and Air force
garrisons and installations as well as
sister service medical treatment
facilities . My heartfelt thanks goes
out to all the commanders , directors ,
senior enlisted leaders of these
equities that are so important to
public health in Europe . Murray , sir .
Thank you for your trust and confidence
in me to command with the guidance ,
autonomy and resources you and your
staff provided . I certainly learned a
lot from you . In just the last year .
I look forward to learning much more
from you and I look forward to the
opportunity to continue to give it my
all for army medicine in Europe in the
years ahead . Master sergeant , my
battle buddy without question over the
past 15 months . As this unit , senior
enlisted leader , you set the gold
standard in everything but certainly in
fostering good order , instilling
discipline and caring for this high
performing team to paraphrase the NCO
creed . Competence is your
watchword . You always provide
outstanding leadership , earned our
respect and confidence and you are the
epitome of a professional who has the
gift of ability to bring out the very
best and everyone you encounter to
include me . We're all lucky to have
witnessed such loyal talent and
dedicated leadership in action . You
are the senior enlisted leader who
understands about soldiers and our
civilian teammates need to feel safe ,
valued and trained to conduct their
mission . Our team is better today
because of you and I am a better
officer and leader today after having
served with you . Thanks for being the
best by the buddy I could ever ask for .
I wish you and Ashley and Mo Mo the
very best as you transition to new and
exciting opportunities . I'll know you
excel whatever you do . I also know
that Public Health Command . Europe
remains in very good hands as first
Sergeant George Lehman steps into the
senior list of position for the next
couple of months . Thank you , first
Sergeant Lehman for keeping the
momentum going for Lang Paul . The team
is so lucky to have you . You're an
exceptional officer and leader who I
know the team will support just as much
as they did me as another career ,
public health professional and no
stranger to this theater . You're a
perfect fit when I found out that you
were slated for this unit . I was very ,
very happy for the entire team here ,
but really for the entire army medicine
team enjoy every day because the two
years will be up before you can ever
imagine . I wish you Heather and the
girls and the rest of your family the
very best as you lead this team to the
next echelon of excellence . And
finally , and perhaps the most
important a nod to our families , the
source of a soldier's strength and the
source of our civilian employees .
Strength is their family . No questions
asked . Nothing is more sacred than
taking care of our people and their
families . I am filled with gratitude
from my family's relentless support ,
sacrifice and encouragement . Being an
army leader is more than a job to me .
It's a lifestyle that I truly love .
It's my calling and passion for an
opportunity to make a difference to my
wife , Susannah and Emma and Kenny .
Thank you , supported me on this
wonderful journey . I know it's not
easy sometimes , but you make it that
much easier . I'm so proud of you and I
love you more than you ever knew .
Ladies and gentlemen . Hey , thanks
again to all of you for being here
today for traveling long distances .
Army medicine is army strong , stronger
together . Una Santa Defender six .
Signing off the net . Thank you .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
the outgoing Public Health command .
Europe , senior enlisted advisor ,
Master sergeant Ilker Urma .
Good afternoon , General Murray
Mascarenas , Mrs Murray , Mrs
Mascarenas are the distinguished guests ,
commanders commands , sergeants , major
sergeants , major , first sergeants
also then seal soldiers , civilian
teammates and friends sort of tough act
to follow right there , right ? Uh for
someone at least who third languages
English . So I got the CG here speaking
and he nearly published , I think
nearly 60 peer reviewed articles . And
then I got Colonel spicy speaking who
has multiple master's degrees . And it
is very eloquent in all he says . So
I'll do my best and we'll see where we
end up at . Ok . To be all that you can
be . That was the army's recruiting
slogan for over 20 years from 1980 to
2001 . The army returned to the slogan
on 8 March 2023 with be all you can be .
Logan has been the way alive , at least
for me since I joined the army . Uh
Some of you who know my background and
you might look , I'm Turkish yet . I
have a German sister sitting here . I
had a very challenging childhood and it ,
it is probably really uh hard to put
all in words , but I'm gonna leave it
as saying in a very challenging
childhood that led for me to go to fast
or home when I was six months old , not
knowing who my mom and my dad were .
And I grew up with my , with my sister ,
Carla who sits there who was a uh 33
girls in the house and one boy . Uh
after that , I got forced back home to
my family . Uh six years ,
6.5 years old and they just stuck us
back together . And , well , that was a
recipe for disaster . Uh Needless to
say what 13 , 14 , I was a , a very
difficult young , young boy I should
say and I got stuck in the youth
program . Uh from there to the youth
program is kind of like a social use
program that assists uh troubled
Children uh being better there . I
learned the trade as the heating
ventilation builder uh was successful
at that . And therefore the youth
program continued to invest in me and
then finally swapped over to the ponds
and used to work the gates , checking
ID cards . And the only words I knew
was like , hello , how are you ? Have a
good one ? And I'll say that like 1000
times a day . And then if a American
asked me something for real , I'll be
like , oh , ok , have a good one . And
they were like , this guy and , and
then finally with , with , with that
Ted bit of English , right ? Uh
immigrated to the United States in , in
April 2002 , literally with a suitcase
and a freaking box . Uh I won't go over
those two years in between because
again , they were somewhat challenging
and it will take forever . But bottom
line is I joined the army in September
2004 and I've been living the American
dream . Uh But I don't look at it that
it's because of me . It's really , I
use the concept of being a plant that
gets watered . I'm nothing but the
plant . I'm just sitting there . Then I
have General Murray coming by little
water on me . Then I have some major
Mascarenas coming by looking at it like ,
oh , the soil is and let me pick the
soil up then I have Colonel Spicer
coming by look and be like , oh ,
there's some bugs on there . Two true
bugs . Right . So , and that's really
how it is . And then , then maybe my
wife comes right because you have the
family aspect . She puts me , oh , it's
dark over here . Let me put him , let
me put them right there to the window
and bam , I'll start to bloom and
that's really how I look at it . Uh uh
And that's how what happened to me .
Most part of my career , I always have
people around me in leadership that saw
something in me . God bless and they
invested in me . And I think when
people are like , oh people first , I
was like , that's been happening to me
since 2004 people first is investing in
your people getting the best out of
them . And sometimes even if they don't
want to do them , push them to it . And ,
and with that being said , I've been
privileged , I won't go into detail too
much but to represent and partake in in
various high visibility army medicine
events and the department of the army
events quite frankly . And , and , and
that , that put me together with
incredible leaders really since 2011 ,
2010 . And when you talk about uh
phenomena , you , you , you , you , you
can't ignore General Murray and my
email is done , my senior comments are
done , everything is submitted . So
there's nothing nothing in the brown .
But sir , you , you've been incredible .
Uh uh I , I don't know how many flag
officers will take the time to sit down
with a master sergeant for 45 minutes
an hour however long you want and be as
personable and understanding and , and
when I ask anybody , hey , what can I
do better ? They , are you great .
Don't do nothing better . And then when
I sit down with you , you gave me so
many pointers , including to look at
the speech that I actually wrote when I ,
when I came in here . So uh uh I'll ,
I'll be forever grateful . You are ,
you are really you , you represent
people first . You are a phenomenal
leader and I pray to God , you stay in
as long as your legs carry you and
they're going to carry you a long time
because you're physically fit as well
and , and , and I get to work with and
for you again . And I think you were
just uh uh again , people first is also
your mantra . You truly care about the
NC OS . You truly care about your
senior enlisted leaders . You truly
care about the junior soldier and , and
it's evident in how you lead and what
you do and how you , how you engage
people . So , yeah , you've been a
blessing every time I lead an
organization , I was like , man , that
was the best command Sam I could ever
have . And then I end up somewhere else .
And I'm like , OK , it's skin close and
then I'm like , well , I'm sorry , you
lost guy . He's the best guy I ever
served with . So I really , really
appreciate you , you , you , you , you ,
your team mantra and you sincere and
genuine and you're always looking to
make people better and I appreciate
that and you don't do it for the glory
or whatever , you do it truly because
you want to serve . And I appreciate
that from the bottom of my heart . I
couldn't have served on the better
division equivalent uh command team or
uh medical redness command team . With
that being said , I can neglect a
general General Thompson June when I
got here , the reason I'm here is
because they were there and , and , and
to allow me to join my , my battle
buddy didn't know nothing about the
organization . Uh people like I was
like , what are you that ? Oh , I'm a
six day Tago . I'm like , OK , so you
check soil and air and they're like ,
who , who , who put this guy here ? Uh
I check animals guy . I'm not . Oh my
bad . And what are you again ? Oh , I'm
a Sierra . Oh , you check animals ,
right ? They're like , OK , get away
from me . So I really even had to
Google what like the public health
command team does . So it was 24th of
February 2022 . And a lot of people
remember the day for a different reason .
I remember it because I woke up at 02 .
I still had the first time mentality
and that was Ashley down in Texas . And
I see mess from some saying call me now .
So I wake up , I sneak out of the bed
unsuccessfully because she woke up .
Anyways , I go into the living room ,
turn on the TV . I see the war going on .
I literally see Russian paratroopers
coming from the sky and I'm on the
phone with , and I thought God knows
what happened . He's like , hey , I got
bad news for you . I was like , oh ,
he's like , I can't put you in my
headquarters . I'm like , what ? The
only reason I came there is to be under
your umbrella , under your leadership .
He's like , well , I think I have to
put you to Public Health Command . I'm
like , what is that ? And he's like ,
well , I'll just google it , figure it
out . And I was like , I saw a major ,
he's like , well , I thought you'd be
more happy , by the way , the CGs , you
don't speak for the CG and we thought
you'd be happy , right ? And to be
honest with you , I was happy , but I
was nervous not knowing what , what
space I'm getting into , right ? So ,
uh if it wasn't for him , I wouldn't be
here . And , and I'm , and I'm
eternally grateful for that because
that brings you to current spices , sir .
You're an absolute professional . Uh
You don't deviate from the standard .
There is just the standard and even
sometimes when we go back and forth
about the standards such as the AC FTS ,
uh , you , you , you , you , you teach
me how to make things better and , and
you teach me to see the macro
perspective and get out of my little
hole . You care about soldiers . I wish
these soldiers were as close to you as
I am . So they will truly see who you
are as a human being and how you
operate and how much you care about
every single one of them . Uh I'll
definitely miss our foosball
conversations and I wish to nothing but
success but not to be as successful as
of course . And I'll miss you and I'll
pray that I get to , that you get to be
around for a long , long time . Sorry ,
ma'am . And that I get to serve again
under your leadership . Uh The other uh
mrc Europe command teams , commanders ,
Colonel Landers , Colonel Carti ,
Colonel Rankin . Thanks so much . All
of our engagements were , were absolute
professional . I truly appreciate it .
I learned from every everybody ,
everybody , something different . And
I'll be forever grateful with that . Uh
My , my fellow senior listed leaders ,
command command , command major , Pinna
and the other five command sergeant
major that Colonel Landers kind like
burned through . Uh Thanks for
including me . You never made me feel
weird . Uh uh II I learned from all ,
all the UN and I trust . Army medicine
is in great hands . You , you , you
never ousted me or I never made me feel
weird . You valued my input . And
sometimes even when I got lucky , uh uh
uh uh implemented it to my first son .
Attachment sergeants . Thanks so much .
Peer leadership is almost like student
leadership in the school . Right ? It's
probably the most difficult one in my
opinion . So those two first sergeants ,
they , they , they were very respectful ,
very professional . They , they , they ,
they , they took it and ran with it and
the , the attachment sergeant as well .
So son Tennison , so phenomenal job , I
couldn't have done it without you to
the public health activity commanders
and commander again , I appreciate all
of you . I appreciate you trusting me
and reaching out to me whenever you had
any issues to the staff and staff lead
Mr Wheeler , you the heartbeat of
organization of the headquarters . You
always get the mission done and you
drove the organization to New heights
no matter how difficult and to the
directors , the department leads and
all civilian teammates , Germans and us
and contractors . So many smart ,
intelligent people do an incredible job .
Every time I'm around them , I really
feel dumb because there's like doctors
and professors and this and then I'm
like , oh , ok . So IIII I try to talk
about stuff . They don't know . They
think I'm smart , the , the amazingly
talented soldiers and seals officers .
Now formation , stand in front of you
plus the many more who can't be here
because they spread around six
countries getting after the business ,
right ? Thank you for your trust . Uh
Lead , leading other human beings is a
huge privilege , right ? So allow me to
influence your professional and
personal lives means a lot to me to ,
as a uh as you said earlier , our
partnership has been , has been for
almost +56 years and , and we always
came together and , and I appreciate
your friendship first and foremost ,
our professional relationship and I
look forward to get myself back over
here and go and get after my friends .
Uh uh You've done really amazing things
and , and I truly appreciate you to Car
Andreas Lucas again , that's my army
family . It's also , by the way ,
German army family . Lucas . Thank you
for your service to the Bund and for
all you do , he's a very special young
soldier . I'll tell you that he's
equivalent to a , to a US army ranger
with a little blend of a special forces
element . So that kid is going to go to
New Heights and he always shares uh
fascinating pictures of , of his little ,
of his little adventures . Let it be
jumping out of planes out in Bavaria or
sometimes when he's not allowed to have
his phone there because he's on a , on
a secret mission , right ? But you
young man , you are very impressive and
you're already so much better than a
soldier . I ever will be the next . Uh
I wanna thank my mentors and that's ,
that includes senior listed leaders and
officers too many to name in this
format , but they know who they are .
As some of you may know this selection
for the academy was not straightforward .
It had quite a bit of challenges and it
caused me to experience turbulent times
and uh they all supported me . It , it
means a lot when somebody puts their
name and their signature , the sign on
nature onto something saying something
about you . And I truly value that . Uh
uh I , I would argue that that was the
reason uh why I'm going , where I'm
going and I'll , I'll promise you ,
I'll pay it forward and even going to
the experience , I would argue , I'm a
better leader because now I can assist
anybody else who has that kind of
challenge last but not least , uh at
least so I don't have to sleep on the
couch tonight . And by the way , she'll
drinks me and she'll order me sleep on
the couch . My beautiful wife ,
favorite First Lieutenant . Soon to be
Captain soulmate , Ashley Urma . Uh a
lot of time apart . Again , another
year , we're gonna spend the part very
soon , but yet you supportive you ,
you're committed , you , you your
unconditional support , your counsel ,
your understanding and I truly
appreciate that . Uh Our journey has
been interesting . I , I would say out
of 10 years together , we easily spend
five years apart because we want to
kind of like prioritize you in our
careers . But just know like I'm super
proud of you , you again , you already
so much better of a soldier than I ever
will be . And , and , and all the
things you accomplished so far , just
don't stop continued driving . Uh uh
and , and , and the continued
sacrifices you make allows me to be who
I am and allows me to pursue my
American dream , really feel fulfilled .
So , uh thank you so much and it allows
me to , to do what I love , which is
serve America and , and his sons and
his daughters . Uh I wouldn't want to
do it with anyone else . Ashley , I
love you . Well , I think I spoke
enough or talked enough . It's getting
warm and I know current lang has to
come up here . So , uh well , thank you
again for attending today's ceremony .
And I ask you one more time to join me
for a round of applause for the
soldiers on the field , for the band ,
for the defined cut uh uh for the
national anthem and , and , and
everybody else . So we over to
with that being said , uh people first
strong together , army medicines , army
strong Yuna Sanitas defender . Seven .
Signing off .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
the commander of Public Health Command ,
Europe . Colonel Paul D Lang .
Hey , good afternoon . I'll uh add my
welcome to all of our distinguished
leaders and special guests here . With
us today . Time is our most finite
resource . And thank you very much for
spending some of yours with us today .
Special . Thank you to the Yusra
Quintet for adding an immeasurable
touch of pomp to this ceremony . And
I'll also add my thanks to some first
class tennis . And your addition to
this ceremony was superb to the Public
Health Command Europe team . You look
fantastic and you did a fantastic job
today . Thank you all for your
dedication and your efforts for today's
ceremony . Colonel Spicer . From the
moment I first contacted you about my
selection for this incredible
organization . You have welcomed me to
the unit . Your status as a soldier is
eclipsed only by your humility and your
kindness . Thank you so much for your
leadership and it gives me a special
sense of history taking this command
from another eseo Heather and I wish
you and your family our best as you
move on and very glad that it's not too
far away . Breeder General Murray .
Thank you for your guidance and
mentorship . Over the past few weeks ,
the mission of medical support across
three combatant commands is immense and
I am thankful for your leadership
finally to Heather Madeleine and Sophia ,
my ultimate support network . I would
not be me without you and any amount of
thank you falls vastly short . I am
absolutely honored to be a part of this
team , Public Health Command in Europe
and the corresponding public health
activities provide force , health
protection and health service support
to the joint force . Like no other
organization in the Department of
Defense . Our organization is unique
and represents the elite levels of
force health protection in veterinary
medicine . We the officers ,
noncommissioned , officers , soldiers
and civilians of public health
committee in Europe had the incredible
opportunity and responsibility to truly
conserve the fighting strength . And I
can think of no more noble calling army
medicine is army strong , stronger
together .
Oh , no .
Um
ladies and gentlemen , please stand for
the singing of the army song .
Yeah ,
and
um
bye .
Ok .
Yeah ,
this concludes the ceremony . They
charge in the formation
commander , take charge of your unit .
Ladies and gentlemen , this concludes
today's ceremony . We were invited to
the reception of public health Command
training room in honor of Colonel Lang .
Colonel Spicer and master Sergeant Urma
will remain on the field for those
wishing to say farewell and thank you
for attending today's ceremony . Army
medicine is army strong .