The Aberdeen Proving Ground Dental Clinic Command welcomed the incoming commander and paid tribute to the departing commander during a change of command ceremony at Top of the Bay Sept. 10.
Col. David J. Kryszak assumed command from the outgoing Commander Col. Colleen Shull.
Specialist Maggie Mallety, who works at DENTAC, gave welcoming remarks and served as narrator for the ceremony. Colonel Thomas R. Tempel Jr., commander of Fort Meade Dental Activity, served as the ceremony host.
Mallety said that the change of command ceremony is significant to Soldiers because they can witness the passing of the reins of authority from the old leader to the new, and thus, the passage of the Soldier's loyalties and responsibilities from the old commander to the new commander.
After the guidon exchange, Tempel remarked that he was glad to see both Shull and Kryszak's Families in attendance. He thanked both Families for their support to the Army.
"The Family unit is very important in the military," Tempel said. "The senior leaders recognize the importance of Family through the Army Family Covenant."
Tempel said that when Shull assumed command of the APG DENTAC three ago she faced some significant challenges, like being short staffed.
Tempel said that when Shull took command there was a new program in the Army Dental Corps called First-Term Dental Readiness, which is aimed at providing dental care in the initial training of a Soldier's career so that Soldiers will be fully deployable.
He said that this program was successfully implemented under Shull's command.
"It is a testament to her leadership," he said. "Her and her whole team implemented the program very well."
Tempel added that dental health is important to the overall health of the Soldier, a fact that Shull wanted to impress upon the leadership and staff at APG.
"It is important for Soldiers, if they are going out to fight, that they do not have to worry about having a dental emergency that could have been avoided," he said. "One Soldier being off the team [due to a dental emergency] can have a tremendous impact on the mission."
Tempel said that while Shull was commander of APG DENTAC, it met the Department of Defense dental readiness standard of having 95 percent of service members in either Class 1 or Class 2, which means they are deployable worldwide.
He added that Shull is blessed with strong Family values which are reflected in her leadership style. He said Shull supported her staff by being a mentor and encouraged them to attend school.
Tempel thanked APG leadership for supporting the goals of DENTAC.
"Our success is truly a team effort," Tempel said.
He added that he is confident that the incoming commander will continue the success of DENTAC at APG.
During Shull's remarks, she said that over the course of her career, the Army has made her a confident leader and that she has learned many lessons while serving as commander of APG DENTAC.
"One: set high expectations and believe in your staff, and they will rise to the occasion," she said. "Two: give clear guidance to your unit. Give them the tools to accomplish the mission, and they will accomplish the mission."
"Three:" Shull continued, "expect adversity, and embrace it. Look at adversity as an opportunity to learn a new skill set. Four: say yes. Encourage your staff that if they work hard they will be rewarded. And five: work hard and play hard." Shull concluded by thanking those who supported her during her time at DENTAC.
During Kryszak's remarks he said that he is proud to be here, and thanked Shull for the work that she did while she was commander.
"She is leaving a finely tuned and well running command," he said.
Kryszak added that he's welcoming the challenges that base realignment and closure will bring with the Ordnance Center and Schools leaving and the upcoming renovations to the Aberdeen Area Dental Clinic.
Kryszak concluded that he is looking forward to working as commander at APG DENTAC.
"Working to take care of the dental health of Soldiers is an honor and a privilege," he said.
Col. David Kryszak
Kryszak entered the military June 1987 as a dental officer. He has an associate's degree from University of Maryland, a bachelor's from the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree from Meharry Medical College. He graduated from a 1-year and 2-year Advanced Education Program in general dentistry and is Board Certified in comprehensive dentistry.
Kryszak is a graduate of the Officer Basic Course; Officer Advanced Course; Combined Arms Staff Services School; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; Dental Management Development Course; Medical Management of Chemical Casualties Course; Combat Casualty Care Course (C4); Expert Field Medical Course; Basic Airborne Course and Air Assault Course.
Kryszak's assignments included Fort Sill, Okla., Advanced Education Program in General Dentistry; McCully Barracks, Germany, Dental Activity; Daharan, Saudi Arabia; Fort Campbell, Ky., 526th Forward Support Brigade, Brigade Dentist; Sinai, Egypt OIC 1st SB Dental Clinic South Camp; Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Bragg, N.C., Advanced Education in General Dentistry, 82nd Airborne Division Dental Surgeon; Kandahar, Afghanistan, 82nd LTF Dental Surgeon; Fort Campbell, Ky., Dental Activity, 101st Airborne Division Dental Surgeon, and Mosul, Iraq.
Kryszak's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers Ribbon, Saudi Arabian Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Medical Badge; Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Kryszak has 10-year-old twins, Alan Michael and Alaina.
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