FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 24, 2014) -- The U.S. Army Dental Clinic Command welcomed a new commander during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum July 21.
Lt. Col. Chun Y. Chan assumed command of the dental clinic from Lt. Col. Robert J. Selders Jr. as he accepted the unit colors from Col. William J. Greenwood, U.S. Army Dental Activity commander, who was also on hand to preside over the ceremony and provide his vote of confidence in the new commander.
"I have full trust in Lieutenant Colonel Chan," said Greenwood during the ceremony. "He's competent, he's reliable and he's honest."
"My wife, Bertha, and I and our two daughters are very excited to be here at Fort Rucker," said Chan. "I'm very appreciative of the opportunity given to me to serve as the commander."
Chan comes to Fort Rucker with a wealth of experience, beginning his military career while attending the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey on a U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program.
From there, he graduated from the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course, officer advanced course, combat casualty care course, Command and General Staff College's intermediate-level education course, and AMEDD's Graduate Dental Education's two-year Advanced Education of General Dentistry Program.
Chan has served in many assignments, both stateside and abroad, including with the U.S. Army Dental Activity in Hawaii, with duty at Tripler Army Medical Center and Schofield Barracks Dental Clinic; the U.S. Dental Activity in Fort Drum, New York, with duty at Marshall Dental Clinic and Stone Dental Clinic where he served as the officer-in-charge; the 618th Dental Company (Area Support) in the Republic of Korea, with duty at Camp Edwards Dental Clinic and Camp Casey Dental Clinic; U.S. Army Dental Activity Japan, with duty at Camp Zama Dental Clinic; as well as NATO Role II Hospital in Heart, Afghanistan and NATO Role III Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Greenwood provided some words of advice for Chan and said there were some things that he could learn from the outgoing commander.
"Bob had a few keys to his success, and one was every morning he came in and welcomed everyone with a 'good morning' and a 'how are you doing?'" said the colonel. "That wasn't for micromanagement, but it was because he was an engaging, caring leader. He was also a hands-on leader and knew how to make to hard calls with the Army's betterment in mind. I would like you to put forth the same work ethic that he did."
During Selders' time as commander, the dental clinic maintained a dental readiness of over 95 percent and had an annual dental production value of over $1.5 million, according to Greenwood, adding that Selders himself created about $230,000 worth of industry on Fort Rucker.
"I'd like to take a moment to pay tribute and thank Lieutenant Colonel Robert Selders, whose leadership and dedication will not be forgotten," said Chan. "He left behind a great organization, making it easy to assume command."
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