FORT CARSON, Colo. -- In a small ceremony at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, members of the Rocky Mountain District Veterinary Command cased their colors and unveiled the colors of the newly formed Public Health Command District-Carson.
"The very soul of a military unit is symbolized in the guidon under which it fights, for it represents not only the lineage and honor of the unit, but also the loyalty and unity of the Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Sager, master of ceremonies.
Veterinary Service Support District activated on a provisional status in 1993, and was formally activated a year later. In 1998, the district consolidated under The Great Plains Regional Veterinary Command and the new Rocky Mountain District Veterinary Command became headquartered at Fort Carson.
The Rocky Mountain District Veterinary Command realigned under Western Regional Veterinary Command in 2010, which was inactivated in June, becoming Public Health Command Region-West. In January, The Rocky Mountain District combines with the North Plains District Veterinary Command to form Public Health Command District-Carson.
"The implication of today for the newly designated Public Health Command District-Carson is we double in size geographically as well as in personnel numbers," said Lt. Col. Ken Despain, commander, Public Health Command District-Carson. "We grow from a seven-state district with 96 personnel stationed on 14 military installations to a district comprised of 14 western states with 179 personnel serving 23 installations."
Col. Robin K. King, commander, Public Health Command Region-West at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., said veterinary and food inspection services would remain the same.
"Change is not always easy," she said. "I think this is one of the best things we can do. This redesignation gets all assets closer to the customers and combines services."
King said more changes will come as the Rocky Mountain District merges with the North Plains District, but all modifications supported the global one health concept, a holistic approach to health care that links providers to provide the best patient care.
Regardless of the changes, King encouraged Soldiers.
"Carson is currently setting the trend," she said.
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