FORT KNOX, Ky. — Several members of the Fort Knox community arrived at Sadowski Center April 12 to witness the passing of responsibility for Ireland Army Health Clinic and Medical Department Activity from Command Sgt. Maj. Manuel Cruz to Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford Webster.
The hour-long event showcased the Army’s time-honored passing of the unit’s colors from Cruz’s hands to Webster’s. Webster recently arrived from Tripler Army Medical Clinic in Oahu, Hawaii, where he served as the senior enlisted leader for Public Health Command-Pacific.
“When you come into a position, you’re always worried what you’re walking into,” said Webster. “But I knew if I was replacing you [Cruz], I was going to enter an organization firing on all cylinders, highly motivated, and conditioned to always do the hard right.”
Ireland commander Col. Scott Farley hosted the event, praising Cruz for two years of dedicated service, guiding the organization through several transitions, while being separated from his wife, 1st Lt. Francesca Cruz, who serves as a nurse in Hawaii.
Farley said he spent many hours working with Cruz to deliver service to over 12,000 beneficiaries across four states.
“He served during some of the most challenging conditions, which included the COVID pandemic, transitioning to the Defense Health Agency … while simultaneously preparing for two joint commission surveys to make sure we do quality medicine within the Fort Knox community, transitioning to MHS Genesis while we’re transitioning to IPPS-A,” said Farley, “and then responding to two global conflicts in Ukraine and in Israel.”
Cruz thanked everybody within IRAHC and MEDDAC and the other organizations on post with which he worked. Cruz and his wife will travel next to Washington, DC, where he will serve directly with DHA.
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