LANDSTUHL, Germany --- Sgt. Maj. Brett Long accepted responsibility for Public Health Command Europe from Sgt. Maj. Kevin Buie during a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 23 at the soccer field on Kirchberg Kaserne.

The Sergeant Major is the most senior noncommissioned officer in the command, who carries out policies and standards and advises the command on the performance, training, appearance, and conduct of our Soldiers.

Most importantly, he provides the command sound advice and counsel to complex issues.

Col. Brian Spangler, Public Health Command Europe commander, officiated the ceremony.

"We are lucky to have had Sgt. Maj. Buie in Public Health Command Europe," said Spangler. "He [Buie] has been instrumental in our efforts to provide world-class service for our communities and integrate with operational forces. Readiness is the #1 priority of the Army and SGM Buie took an active and personal interest in the readiness of the unit."

Buie engaged the headquarters and Activity Commands to improve personnel metrics for medical readiness, counseling, and timeliness.

His efforts resulted in a dramatic improvement of over 50 percent in readiness across the entire PHCE footprint. Because of his efforts, PHCE reached the highest overall medical readiness of the Regional Health Command by obtaining 93 percent in overall medical readiness setting the benchmark for the region.

Buie joins the Army Medical Department Center & School Health Readiness Center of Excellence in Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

As the Army moves one great leader, it identifies another great leader to replace them.

Long has served more than 27 years in the Army and now joins Public Health Command Europe as the Sergeant Major after serving as the Mission Command Element Chief Medical noncommissioned officer in charge at the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.

"I am proud and truly honored to be part of such a great organization full of outstanding professionals," Long said. "The reputation of this organization is impeccable, and I look forward to working with each one of you in support of our extensive range of missions throughout Europe and Africa."