FORT DETRICK, Md. – As the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th Birthday this month, Defense Health Agency Research & Development-Medical Research and Development Command commemorates its long and storied history of ensuring the nation’s Warfighters have the advanced treatments, trauma care solutions, and life-saving medical devices they need to ensure their survivability and lethality.
The Army’s motto – “This We’ll Defend” – is the theme for the 250th birthday celebrations. Fittingly, the concept of defending the nation’s Warfighters against threats to their health from traumatic injury, disease, and exposure to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents has been DHA R&D-MRDC’s dedicated mission since its founding nearly 70 years ago.
Today, as it has since its founding, DHA R&D-MRDC’s world-class team of researchers develop treatments for infectious diseases, field evidence-based care for combat-wounded personnel, pioneer research in chemical and biological defense, and explore ways to optimize the health and performance of Service Members – demonstrating their commitment to providing medical solutions for America's sons and daughters who serve around the globe.
DHA R&D-MRDC has a long and proud heritage. In 1958, the Army Medical Research Board became the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and assumed the role of the Army’s central agency for all R&D efforts for improving preventive medicine measures and rapid treatment. In 1978, its headquarters moved from Washington D.C. to Fort Detrick, Maryland. Then, in 1994, USAMRDC became the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, focusing on supporting the Army Medical Department's efforts to prevent illness and injury in deployed forces and ensuring the development of medical logistics systems that enhance medical readiness. In 2018, USAMRMC was once again redesignated as USAMRDC. In late 2024, USAMRDC completed its transition to the Defense Health Agency. Today, DHA R&D-MRDC focuses its science and technology efforts on four strategic lines of effort: survivability and lethality, protection and readiness, medical modernization, and deterrence and posture.
Throughout the month of June, DHA R&D-MRDC is hosting a series of events that highlight the Army’s support to the nation while celebrating the Soldiers, families, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians who constitute the DHA R&D-MRDC family. The events draw on Army tradition and heritage to promote the service’s role in defending the nation, and improving the command’s connection to the public in support of the recruiting mission. In addition to honoring the rich history of the Army’s contributions and achievements and promoting Army values, the celebrations aim to strengthen unit cohesion, teamwork, and esprit de corps.
MRDC Commanding General Maj. Gen. Paula C. Lodi kicked off the celebrations by hosting the Army Heritage Month Opening Ceremony at the Fort Detrick Auditorium June 3. Then, on June 13, the installation’s oldest and youngest Soldiers will join Garrison Commander Col. Chris Chung in the auditorium at 12:30 p.m. for a ceremonial cake cutting. Immediately following the cake cutting, attendees are invited to explore the Heritage Displays within the auditorium. Later that day, at 3 p.m., a Retreat Ceremony will be held at Blue and Gray Field followed by reenlistment and enlistment ceremonies and a special announcement by the Army Emergency Relief Campaign.
The social highlight of the month-long celebrations will be the Army’s 250th Birthday Gala Celebration June 14 at 6 p.m. at the Community Activities Center. The gala promises to be a night of camaraderie, celebration, and honor.
As the Army celebrates this important historical milestone, it also serves as an opportunity for the members of the DHA R&D-MRDC team to reflect on, and rededicate themselves to, its motto to Protect, Project, and Sustain.
Social Sharing