FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Lt. Col. Kendall Mower took command of U.S. Army Dental Activity Fort Drum from Col. Valerie Holmes during a change of command ceremony Thursday at the Stone Dental Clinic.
Mower began his military career when he enlisted in the Utah National Guard in 1995, and he received a direct commission when he began dental school, entering active duty as a captain after graduation in 2002. His education includes a bachelor of science in microbiology from Brigham Young University, the U.S. Army Medical Department Officer Basic and Advanced courses, as well as the Army's two-year General Dentistry Advanced Residency Training Program at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
During his career, Mower has most notably served as the special staff to the commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Command, in Falls Church, Va., and director of operations, U.S. Army Dental Command -- Atlantic (Provisional), Fort Belvoir, Va.; and as the officer in charge of Contingency Operating Base Speicher in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.
Col. Jose Conde, commander of DENCOM -- Atlantic, who has previously worked with Mower, said he looked forward to seeing how Mower furthers the mission of Fort Drum DENTAC.
"Lt. Col. Mower is not only a great leader and administrator, but he is a great clinician, and he will bring that key component to the command, making sure that you have all the necessary elements to accomplish the mission," Conde said.
"I am looking forward to continuing to work with you," Conde told Mower, "and I am confident that the Dental Activity at Fort Drum is in great hands."
After receiving the colors and officially taking command of Fort Drum DENTAC, Mower addressed audience members and thanked them for taking the time to attend the ceremony.
"I am grateful for the warm reception I have received so far at Fort Drum," Mower said. "I am grateful for the mentorship that I have had throughout my career, and I look forward to this opportunity -- to get to service this community."
Conde also applauded Holmes on multitude accomplishments during her command at the Fort Drum DENTAC.
Those accomplishments include the following:
*Successfully supported preparation of 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers during multiple deployments;
*Implemented the "Go First Class" initiative, which helped increase patient satisfaction;
*Integrated unit dental agency programs;
*Improved communication pro-cess, which resulted in deployed units receiving timely appointments and reducing reset time;
*Revitalized the DENTAC safety program and received the coveted Safety and Occupation Health Star Award -- the only DENTAC to obtain the star;
*Created a work group that fostered better communication and opportunities to mentor, coach and teach DENTAC officers in leadership positions.
"Thank you for all you have done, not only for Fort Drum Soldiers, but for DENCOM-Atlantic," Conde said to Holmes. "We will really miss you."
Before leaving, Holmes took a moment to address the DENTAC Soldiers and new commander, and she thanked everyone for their support during her command.
"I will truly miss each and every one of you," she said. "But I look forward to the adventures to come. Continue to serve with pride, and Climb to Glory."
Holmes will move to Fort Bliss, Texas, to become the DENTAC commander.
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