FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. - The Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center conducted a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 19 at the Greely Hall auditorium as Sgt. Maj. Edmond B. Burnsed, Jr. relinquished responsibility as the RWBAHC Senior Enlisted Advisor to Sgt. Maj. Joel E. Farrens.
Lt. Col. Marie E. Carmona, the RWBAHC commander, presided over the ceremony where she spoke of Burnsed's many accomplishments and welcomed Farrens and his family to Fort Huachuca.
"Today we will not only say goodbye to Sgt. Maj. Burnsed as the Sergeant Major of the RWBAHC, but he is retiring," said Carmona. "This is always a bittersweet time. We are saddened to say goodbye but excited for the next chapter in your life. Sergeant Major has served his country for 26 years. When he was ready to put in his retirement paperwork I told him, 'What's four more years? Go for 30,' but the Burnsed household six said 'no way,'" Carmona said.
Burnsed arrived at the RWBAHC in 2020, having risen from the rank of private to Sergeant Major. Serving at every level of responsibility in the medical corps. "You have held numerous positions...from evacuation squad leader, [emergency room] shift leader, [Non-commissioned officer in charge] of general surgery, to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Surgeon Sergeant Major, and, of course, the best job, THE Sergeant Major of the Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center," said Carmona.
"You have touched so many lives and made a difference to so many people you will probably ever know. That's your success, it's the difference you made in people's lives," Carmona said.
"You took a vested interest in the team, you took the time to get to know them as a person. You embody the motto "People First" by leading with more than just words, but your actions also. That Sgt. Maj. Burnsed is your legacy."
After Carmona's remarks, Burnsed, who had his wife Dawn and son Brooks in attendance, thanked the command and staff of the RWBAHC and his family.
"You have been patient with all the moves we have completed in the last 26 years. We moved 10 times, and I was stationed in Korea and had two deployments to Iraq which totaled 42 months away. Also, multiple field problems and rotations to [the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany], [National Training Center] and the [Joint Readiness Training Center] in preparation for deployments. My family's love for me never failed. I love you all. Dawn has been rock and my heart and kept me on track throughout my career."
"It was a blessing to be able to be part of the RWBAHC family. Even though we have had many serious moments in the last two years I have always tried to share a laugh with the civilians and Soldiers each day. Each and every one of you have impacted my life and leadership, you will all truly be missed," Burnsed said.
Farrens thanks Burnsed for his help after arriving at Fort Huachuca from Hawaii. "I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to Sgt. Maj. Burnsed for his leadership and dedication to not only this unit for the past two years, but for 26 years of exceptional service to his country as a medical leader. Sgt. Maj. Burnsed is truly a professional and his dedication and commitment to Army Medicine will not be forgotten. Thank you for handing over such a successful unit," Farrens said.
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM)/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 964 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army's Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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