McQueen assumes command of U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON—The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence held a change of command ceremony during which Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Anthony L. McQueen on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. The ceremony was hosted by Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; commandant, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and Deputy Commanding General for Combined Arms, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, on July 11, 2025.

In keeping with Army tradition, Beagle accepted the unit colors from Murray and passed them to McQueen, charging him with command and authority as the commanding general of MEDCoE.

Murray assumed command of MEDCoE in November of 2023. During that time, the Army was reshaping its approach to combat from counterinsurgency operations to large scale combat operations, necessitating a shift in how Army Medicine approached lifesaving care on the battlefield.

“Some leaders bring credentials,” said Beagle. “Clint brings credibility. He is a leader who builds trust; he is a steward of our profession who took Army Medicine training concepts off a whiteboard and transitioned them into action.”

Murray and his team also saw a pilot program for enhanced combat medic training to completion with collaboration from the Medical Education and Training Campus, the tri-service DoD training campus down the hill from MEDCoE. Beagle highlighted these accomplishments and more in his remarks to the command.

“Over the last 18 months, Clint and [Command] Sgt. Maj. Laragione led MEDCoE through significant Army Medicine transformation,” said Beagle. “And just to name a few, they reimagined combat medic training. They expanded prolonged field care. They integrated UAS [Unmanned Aircraft System] and AI into the Basic Officer Leaders Course, and they transformed Army CASEVAC [casualty evacuation] doctrine to large-scale combat operations.”

Murray is slated to serve as the Joint Staff Surgeon in Washington, D.C., and during his remarks, he praised the people at MEDCoE for their talent and knowledge .

“When I came here 18 months ago,” said Murray, I… highlighted the things that I was going to emphasize, which is stewarding the profession, developing leaders and drive change. And I really thought I’d be doing some mission command and intent. And what I realized incredibly quickly is you’re the most talented organization I’ve ever worked with, hands down.”

McQueen comes to MEDCoE after serving as the Deputy Surgeon General in the Office of the Surgeon General in Washington, D.C. During his remarks, Beagle also praised McQueen and his reputation for professional knowledge and excellent leadership.

“What stands out isn’t just his resume, it is his reputation,” said Beagle. Many have told me that he strengthens cultures, delivers readiness and is a model leader and professional. So, Tony understands that in Army Medicine, every second matters. And he is fully prepared to bring the mindset of urgency, of clarity and caring.”

While giving his remarks, McQueen expressed his gratitude to Army senior leadership for choosing him to lead MEDCoE, and he also acknowledged the critical and complex mission of his new command.

“I do acknowledge what our mission is, and how important it is, and I assure you, we will focus our resources every day on conserving the fighting force, so that our Soldiers are able to win and come home safely,” said McQueen.

MEDCoE is the Army Medicine proponent responsible for envisioning and designing responsive Army Medicine capabilities and structure that support the fielded force and the future force. MEDCoE is also one of 10 Centers of Excellence aligned under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

To learn more about MEDCoE visit https://medcoe.army.mil/