With a demonstration of military pageantry, the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, Fort Detrick, Maryland, held a Change of Command ceremony to welcome its thirteenth commander, Col. John "Ryan" Bailey, June 23. Bailey took charge of the organization from outgoing commander, Col. William E. Geesey, who has led the USAMMDA team since June 2015.
Among the large gathering of family, friends, Service Members and other distinguished guests on hand to preside over the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Barbara R. Holcomb, commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, USAMMDA's higher headquarters, and Fort Detrick. Holcomb participated in the official act of passing the USAMMDA flag from the outgoing to the incoming commander, and afterwards she offered kinds words to both.
"Today, we have the privilege of honoring two extremely fine senior leaders, Col. Bill Geesey and Col. Ryan Bailey, as they transition command of USAMMDA," said Holcomb. "Bill, thank you for your leadership, hard work and dedication during your time here. I know you will do great things in San Antonio as president of the Army Medical Department Board.
"Ryan, you are inheriting a great group of men and women," she continued, "and I am certain that you will excel in leading them towards more success. I wish you the very best."
Geesey followed Holcomb at the podium, and his words focused on the team, and the work, he is leaving behind.
"As I move on from my service at USAMMDA, I am very proud of the team I was honored to lead, and the great work that we've done together," said Geesey. "Through our efforts, we were able to eliminate barriers and stovepipes, and improve processes.
"Col. Bailey, you are inheriting an amazing team who truly cares about the USAMMDA mission, and they'll do whatever it takes to accomplish it. Through the work they do on a daily basis, they'll make you shine throughout the command -- they certainly did this for me. I wish all of you continued success, and I will always remember my time at USAMMDA with great fondness and appreciation," he concluded.
After pausing to allow applause from the audience, Bailey stepped up and addressed the crowd, and his gratitude was apparent to all.
"I am truly honored and blessed to have been selected to command USAMMDA, with its mission to protect and preserve the lives of Warfighters," he said. "Maj. Gen. Holcomb, I sincerely appreciate your confidence in my leadership skills and abilities, and I welcome the opportunity to serve under your guidance. I am happy to be back supporting the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
"Col. Geesey, thank you for the phenomenal job you have done over the past two years. You have led this organization well, and I am proud to join such a fine team with a long history of significant contributions to the health and welfare of our nation's Service Members."
Bailey's most recent role was deputy program manager for the Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems program office, where he was responsible for the centralized acquisition management and integration of two major automation information system programs supporting the configuration and deployment of the new Electronic Health Record for operational forces.
He has served in numerous acquisition and medical logistics positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of the Army, and in 2014, Bailey served as Senior Joint Medical Logistics Officer for the Joint Staff's Surgeon's Office.
During a recent interview, Bailey shared with me his thoughts on his new assignment at USAMMDA, and his enthusiasm throughout our conversation was very evident.
"I am truly honored to have been selected to command USAMMDA," said Bailey. "The USAMMDA team is comprised of true professionals, and I am excited to be a part of an organization with such a great mission and history. I look forward to helping the team carry out its mission through acquisition excellence, while supporting the efforts of USAMMDA's Strategic Plan by optimizing our business processes and cultivating a command climate that exemplifies integrity, respect, selfless service, innovation and collaboration."
The new commander said that he and his family are very happy with their relocation back to the Frederick, Maryland, area, which abounds with "great history, beautiful nature, family activities, and some creative restaurants that [they] are excited to try." Bailey is quite familiar with the surroundings in this part of the state, as he previously served at Fort Detrick, within another subordinate command of USAMRMC.
"I was fortunate to have served at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, managing strategic-level acquisition programs," he said. "The USAMRMC has such a great and diverse mission, and I am excited to be a part of the organization once again."
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Bailey spent his high school and college years in Georgia, and calls Marietta, Georgia, his hometown. He graduated from North Georgia College with a bachelor's degree in business administration (marketing), and earned an MBA in supply chain management from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. He has received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. In addition, he is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.
Bailey and his family love to travel, and they enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. Bailey shared that his hobbies include cooking, playing golf, and helping his daughter learn the finer points of soccer, and he is looking forward to spending time with his family in between the responsibilities of his new command.
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