FORT DETRICK, Md. -- The first two years of existence for U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command -- the Army’s lifecycle manager for medical materiel -- were full of challenges, including a global pandemic.
But for the AMLC team, their focus is on how they overcame difficult situations to deliver medical equipment and supplies -- whenever and wherever they were needed.
Those achievements, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Michael Lalor, were highlighted during AMLC’s first change of command ceremony July 1. The event served as a final farewell for Lalor and a warm welcome to Col. Anthony “Tony” Nesbitt as the new commander of AMLC.
“AMLC was at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight and mission from day one,” said Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo, commanding general of Communications-Electronic Command who served as the host of the ceremony. “[Brig. Gen. Lalor’s] steadfast leadership using his experience and great instincts ensured the team would be well equipped to lead through the fight.”
During the ceremony, Lalor reflected on his nearly two-year journey, set in motion when he assumed command of AMLC as a brand new organization.
Activated Sept. 17, 2019, AMLC is a subordinate command under CECOM, a major subordinate command of Army Materiel Command. AMLC’s mission is to deliver integrated sustainment and data management to enable health services in support of operational Army units and Joint Forces worldwide.
Along with his family, Lalor recognized fellow leaders, mentors, team members and partners, including the workforces at AMLC’s three direct reporting units -- the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency, U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Europe and U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea.
“From the very first day … I always reminded you, we were on the clock,” Lalor said. “Well, you nailed it. You brought an aggressive, problem-solving tenacity to every battle and every formation and organization we touched and supported.
“I cannot say enough of how proud I am of you and all that we have accomplished as a team.”
Prior to the ceremony, Kilgo presented Lalor with the Legion of Merit medal, recognizing his service as AMLC’s first commander and leading the command through its formative years as the Army’s premier medical logistics organization.
In addition to his achievements as AMLC commander, Lalor simultaneously served as director of the Enterprise Business Systems-Convergence, Multi-Functional Capabilities Team, leading efforts to streamline integration of sustainment and financial business processes across the Army enterprise.
“Unfortunately, you’re taking that mission (with you),” Kilgo quipped, as Lalor smiled back from his seat in the Fort Detrick auditorium. “But of course, the Army is going to be better for it. This is just a true testament to how talented you truly are.”
Kilgo said Lalor, who is next headed to Fort Lee, Virginia, to serve as the next commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and School, has certainly “set the bar high” for Nesbitt, “but he’s also set you up for great success.”
“I’m confident you are the right man in the right job at the right time,” Kilgo said of Nesbitt.
A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in the Army’s Medical Service Corps, Nesbitt comes to AMLC after serving as transformation implementation lead at the Office of the Deputy Army Surgeon General. He also continues to serve as the Surgeon General’s medical logistics consultant.
In his first remarks as commander, Nesbitt thanked those who helped him along the way and reassured Kilgo and other senior leaders in attendance that the organization will continue enabling medical readiness throughout the health care continuum.
“We will take care of our people and we will support CECOM, AMC and the Army’s efforts,” he said. “We will set standards, and we will win.”
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