The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center team welcomed their new command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Thurman Reynolds, during an assumption of responsibility ceremony Aug. 1 at the Landstuhl Fitness Center.

Reynolds is the senior enlisted leader for LRMC, the largest U.S. hospital outside the United States where it serves as the sole military medical center for more than 205,000 active duty service members, Department of Defense civilians, military retirees and family members throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

LRMC commander Col. Timothy Hudson performed the traditional passing of the unit colors to Reynolds during the ceremony, symbolizing the assumption of responsibility and authority of the incoming command sergeant major.

A unit's command sergeant major is the top enlisted advisor to the commander and an advocate for enlisted Soldiers.

Reynolds explained that his role is to enable the commander's intent and servant leadership. Reynolds is familiar with this responsibility after having previously served as command sergeant major of Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Ga. He most recently served at the Sergeants Major Management Division at Fort Knox, Ky.

"We are the trusted professionals of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the honorable servants of our nation, experts in our craft, and we are expected to be faithful stewards of the people, resources, and the profession entrusted to our care," said Reynolds.

Reynolds said that he is excited to help the commander continue the medical center's strong legacy by maintaining LRMC Soldiers' readiness so they can help keep the U.S. military overseas medically ready to meet their missions.

"There is no more important relationship in a command than that between the commander and the command sergeant major. There has to be an open confidence between them," said Hudson during the ceremony. "The bedrock of any command team relationship is frankness, integrity and absolute trust. I look forward to leading LRMC with my new battle buddy, Command Sgt. Maj. Reynolds."

Since May 30, 2018, LRMC's top enlisted position was filled by interim Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Laragione, previously serving as command sergeant major for LRMC's Troop Command. Laragione will soon take on his new role as the hospital command sergeant major at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

"We really appreciate Command Sgt. Maj. Laragione for seamlessly filling this role the past two months, he has been outstanding," said Hudson.