Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Folkerth | Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Butler, the new commander of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel...... read more read more
Camp Carroll, SOUTH KOREA – The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea conducted its change of command ceremony June 27, 2014, at Camp Carroll, Korea.
Col. Kevin E. Cooper, the outgoing commander of USMMC-K, relinquished leadership of the unit to Lt. Col. Jonathan B. Butler, arriving from serving as the chief of the Logistics Division, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., the host of the event and the commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Dietrich, Md., touched one the important note that change of commands are not only an opportunity to honors the leaders of the respective units, but also a chance to acknowledge the units achievements.
USAMMC-K’s mission is to provide medical logistics support to U.S. Forces Korea and organizations located in the Korean theater. The unit provides direct medical materiel support to theater medical forces, ensures and assists tactical units that are integrated into the end-to-end medical supply chain and assists the Combatant Commands in Health Logistics Support planning.
Cooper had a unique relationship to the unit, as he served in the unit when it was still known as the 16th Medical Logistics Battalion nine years ago during his last assignment to Camp Carroll.
“I had the pleasure of working for a great Army leader, serving as my senior rater, whose philosophy was, ‘Stay focused on, and never forget, what is important to you…religious beliefs, family and others…and act accordingly,’” said Cooper. “I have tried to emulate this philosophy, and I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with my senior rater at the time, the then 18th MEDCOM commander, Col. Brian Allgood, the same Col. Allgood whose name now represents the medical treatment facility at Yongsan garrison and who was killed on Jan. 20, 2007 in Iraq.”
The incoming command Butler also shared a special relationship and philosophy concerning this command, though it was closer related to the region rather than USMMC-K. Butler was originally born in the city of Ikson, Korea, approximately 100 miles from Camp Carroll. He was separated from his family at the age of five, and after going through the process of being orphaned, adopted, and all things of life in between, he was able to reconnect with his biological family after 35 years of separation.
“The theme I want to put out to USMMC-K today and until the end of my command is simply about your journey and how I can lead, coach, or mentor you to improve it both personally and professionally,” said Butler. “Before going forward, you have to first understand, not know but truly understand, your current situation in order to identify your strengths, weaknesses and way-ahead plans.”
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2014 22:13 |
| Story ID: | 135040 |
| Location: | CAMP CARROLL, KR |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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