USARIEM Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Welcomes New Commander

The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine welcomed Army Capt. Mary Helen Wilson as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment Commander. Army Col. Sharon Rosser, USARIEM Commander, officiated the ceremony as Army Capt. Aaron J. Judson relinquished command after two years at the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, May 30.

“This ceremony is more than the passing of a guidon—it’s a symbolic moment that marks the continuity of leadership, responsibility and commitment to our mission and our people,” said Rosser. “It’s an opportunity to honor the achievements of the outgoing commander, Capt. Aaron Judson, and to welcome and support the incoming leader, Capt. Mary Helen Wilson, who now takes the reins.”

Rosser thanked Judson for the past two years, saying his leadership has left a lasting and meaningful impact, having led through challenges and change with a steady hand.

To Judson she said, “Under your leadership, the company conducted over 21 training exercises to ensure our soldiers maintained critical warfighting skills, even in the unique and often complex operational environment of a research institute. You led from the front in developing excellence among your soldiers, producing Expert Field Medical Badge winners and supporting soldiers selected for ROTC Green to Gold scholarships.”

Rosser highlighted several more of Judson’s accomplishments including overseeing two food drives that donated over 2,000 pounds of food to the local food bank in Natick, organizing multiple blood drives sustaining two Color Guard teams, executing many safety and training events and hosting two USARIEM Holiday Balls.

“Your time in command reflects the best of Army leadership—mission-focused, people-first and deeply engaged,” Rosser continued. “You’ve set the bar high, and we thank you for your tireless service and for the legacy you leave behind.”

Judson then took to the podium to offer his parting remarks, thanking his family and close friends for their unwavering love and support. He then thanked the USARIEM leaders, Natick Soldier Systems Center leaders, USARIEM’s civilians and soldiers for sharing wisdom, lessons learned, steadfast support guidance, mentorship, camaraderie and so much more.

Judson’s next assignment as a U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Epidemic Intelligence Service Fellow with the Immunization Branch Division of Communicable Disease Control California Department of Public Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To Wilson, he said, “It’s been a privilege to transition command to you. You’ve shown the poise, confidence and competence of a great leader, and I know you’ll excel.”

“Blacksmith 6, signing out,” Judson closed with the customary sign off.

In her welcoming remarks to Wilson, Rosser expressed her confidence in Wilson’s ability to lead with integrity, vision and compassion while upholding the trust placed in this unit by the Army and our nation.

“Leadership in never a simple task—but doing so in a research institute environment adds a unique layer of complexity, where leaders must constantly balance soldier readiness with the rigorous demands of scientific and technical execution in support of national defense priorities,” said Rosser. “Leadership at the company level is personal—it’s about knowing our soldiers, understanding their needs and helping them grow as individuals and as a team.”

Wilson comes to USARIEM from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, where she served as the Officer in Charge of Veterinary Services.

“I am grateful for this great honor and privilege of serving as a commander,” said Wilson. “I look forward to working with and serving all of you in my time here.”

“Blacksmith 6, signing in.”

USARIEM is a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command under the Army Futures Command. USARIEM is internationally recognized as the DOD's premier laboratory for Warfighter health and performance research and focuses on environmental medicine, physiology, physical and cognitive performance, and nutrition research. Located at the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, USARIEM's mission is to research and deliver solutions to enhance Warfighter health, performance and lethality in all environments.