JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
In front of a formation of Soldiers on the MacArthur Parade Field at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Maj. Gen. Patrick D. Sargent assumed command of the U.S. Army Medical Department Center & School, Health Readiness Center of Excellence, from Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein during a ceremony June 1, hosted by Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West, Army Surgeon General and commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Command.
In thanking Lein for his 30 years of service, West reflected on his Army career and accomplishments while commanding the AMEDDC&S.
“It’s a great day, and also a sad day, as we bid farewell,” the Army surgeon general said. “During these times you get nostalgic. I don’t know an Army Medicine without Brian Lein. He will be missed.
“Under Brian’s tenure, AMEDD Center and School’s focus on rapid deployability resulted in the development of lighter, scalable medical units such as the forward resuscitative surgical team and expeditionary resuscitative surgical team,” West said. “Realizing the need to increase medical capability at the point of injury, and address the need for prolong field care, AMEDDC&S initiated the expeditionary combat medic program, which will provide forward deployed forces with increased medical capability.”
Before his remarks, Lein first joined Soldiers on the parade field in reciting the Soldier’s Creed. During an impassioned speech, he thank his command for their efforts during the past two years, and reminded everyone why AMEDDC&S exist.
“That’s why we’re here today, these young men and women, and the thousands they represent on parade fields across the Army, are the reason we come to work every day,” Lein said. “Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to command a phenomenal organization.
“It was easy to command here, because we’re surrounded by great people doing great things,” he added. “Lt. Gen. West spoke of the AMEDDC&S accomplishments, but I did none of them. It was the people here. It was an honor to serve side by side with you.”
In his remarks, Sargent thanked West for the opportunity to lead the AMEDDC&S.
“We’re standing on the shoulders of every Army medical professional since 1775, and during our tenure will continue to provide the Army Medical Department Soldiers and leaders,” Sargent said. “There is no greater mission, there is no greater challenge because success is never static. Sadly, Plato got it right when he said only the dead have seen the end of war. Our enemies have adapted, grown, and shown great resolve. Our resolve needs to be even greater, and it is.
“The strength of academia is to illicit the broader spectrum of ideas, perspectives and experiences. Properly leveraged we can raise new questions and new possibilities, to regard old problems through new angles, challenging the status quo,” Sargent added. “That’s how we will keep our sacred promise, even though these challenging times, to protect those who are set into harm’s way, through their education, training, and doctrine.
“Over the past two years I’ve been very impressed in watching the AMEDDC&S flawlessly execute its noble mission the general said. “I’m looking forward to joining this team.”
Sargent’s most recent assignment was deputy commanding general for operations, U.S. Army Medical Command. He has also served as deputy chief of staff, G-3/5/7 for the U.S. Army Medical Command, Washington, D.C. and commander, Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas, where he led efforts to implement Soldier and Patient Centered Medical Homes and the CRDAMC Replacement Project.