Darnall hails new Command Sergeant Major in a change of responsibility ceremony

By Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Velarde and bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Walls as the senior-enlisted adviser in a change of responsibility ceremony here April 5.

The change of responsibility ceremony is a military tradition, held when a senior non-commissioned officer leaves a position of leadership and a new NCO takes his place.

Colonel Patrick Sargent, CRDAMC commander, in his opening remarks at the ceremony expressed his thanks to Walls for his “unconditional loyalty to me and the Soldiers of CRDAMC.”

“It’s been an honor to serve with you. I’m grateful for your outstanding service to CRDAMC and your unyielding commitment in helping us become the premier healthcare system in America,” he said.

Sargent also praised Walls for his leadership efforts and “successes he blazed during his tenure at the MEDCEN.”

“I’m most impressed with his mentoring and teaching Soldiers. He developed a robust NCO (noncommissioned officer) leader development program allowing NCOs to play an active role in managing the delivery of healthcare throughout the health care system,” Sargent said. “He is an AMEDD ambassador, brilliantly representing CRDAMC and the AMEDD across the corps and local communities, always advocating for warriors, families and veterans.”

Sargent also welcomed Velarde to the CRDAMC family, appreciating his many years of experience in Army medicine.

“He understands our mission. He has first-hand knowledge on how we provide quality medical care to our patients,” Sargent added. “I’m looking forward to having him work with us to provide compassionate world-class healthcare one patient at time.”

Velarde started his Army career as a combat medical specialist for the Army in 1987. Since then, he has held numerous duty positions and assignments throughout the U.S. and Germany.  His most recent assignments were Command Sergeant Major for Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, Kan., and 1^st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood.

“It is a privilege and honor to take responsibility of this organization. I know we provide quality care to our patients and we’re doing many good things in Army medicine. But just as our surgeon general asks us all to consider ‘are we good enough,’ my charge to you here today is that we can be better. I know that as a team, we can do better and I’m looking forward to helping us accomplish many more great things.”

Walls’ new assignment will be the commandant of the Army Medical Department Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

“It was truly a privilege and honor to be the (command) sergeant major for CRDAMC. I spent most of my career as an infantry medic. While I was out in the field or at the motor pool, I always wondered what hospital medics do,” he said. “Well, now I know they’re just not sitting around all day. Hospital medics do the most important job – patient care – every second of every day. I’m impressed with everyone’s dedication to taking care of Soldiers and their family members.”

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Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Walls (left) and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Velarde flank CRDAMC Commander Col. Patrick Sargent during a change of responsibility ceremony in front of the MEDCEN April 5. (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)

CRDAMC Commander Col. Patrick Sargent (center) passes the symbolic sword of leadership to Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Velarde (right) during a change of responsibility ceremony April 5. Velarde assumes the senior-enlisted advisor role from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Walls (left).  (U.S. Army photo by Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs)