Commander's Blog

I can't believe it's already been two years since I came to this great organization! It seems like only yesterday that I was taking the USAMMDA guidon from Col. Geesey during the Change of Command ceremony, and now we're only days away from the next ceremony, where I'll pass the guidon to your new USAMMDA commander, Col. Gina Adam. I'm most proud of the organization's accomplishments during a time of unprecedented change in the Army. We've successfully conducted multiple organizational transitions, as we've moved from being under the Army Medical Command, to the Army Materiel Command, and now to the Army Futures Command – all the while continuing to deliver critical products to our Warfighters. We've seen historical numbers for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of our products, including the anti-malarial drug Tafenoquine, the pain management drug Sufentanil, and the Laboratory Assay for Traumatic Brain Injury product, which is the first-ever blood-based test to detect instances of mild TBI. We've also moved a number of our products closer to the finish line as well, such as freeze-dried plasma, which can help save lives far forward on the battlefield.

Yes, we have great products, but we couldn't do it without great people – and that's the special part of USAMMDA. We have tremendous professionals on our team, and we've always tried to invest in our workforce talent, because we know your value and your potential. We're able to do great things only through your efforts, and with more training and knowledge, your influence is increased exponentially. Our mission simply could not be accomplished without your input! We truly are the envy of other USAMRDC subordinate commands, particularly due to our training and development programs. I've actually had other commanders ask me to send them the template for our education plan. They really would like to know how we do it, but honestly, it's just because we have a very special team here at USAMMDA.

Speaking of our special team, I'm extremely proud of the many awards we've received over the past two years. To name only a few, we've garnered two Army Wolf Pack awards, a Logistician of the Year award, and we currently have a Service to America award finalist on our staff, Dr. Krista Caudle. We all hope that she wins the award this fall! This recognition is a testament to the quality of our staff members, and the great work we do each day. Oh, and we can't forget our Army Safety Health Management System "Safety Star" recertification as well! Without question, we just know how to do it all, and we do it all so well!

Honestly, I've learned so much from the command and from all of you, and this knowledge will remain we with throughout my future assignments. It takes all of us working together as one team – military, civilian and contractor – to accomplish this important mission. I will definitely miss the great camaraderie here at USAMMDA – the holiday parties, the summer organizational days, the Town Halls. But most of all, I think I'll miss the annual Chili cook-off, and the great "chefs" we have here! My only regret is that I couldn't take home that "Can o' Beans" trophy, but I'm hoping I can enter again when I'm back at Fort Detrick next year!

In all seriousness, it's been an honor to serve with each and every one of you, and I truly consider you family. Please stay focused on the USAMMDA mission, and I know you'll continue to do a fantastic job for our next commander. Col. Adam certainly has a lot to look forward to, and a great team to work with!

I wish you all the best, and always remember that we're saving lives with everything we do here at USAMMDA!

COL Ryan Bailey