FORT HOOD, Texas – Headquarters Company, Medical Readiness Battalion, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, bid farewell to the outgoing and welcomed a new senior enlisted advisor during a change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 15.
First Sgt. Eddy Oliver received the guidon from Capt. Jordana Malace, commander, Headquarters Company, Medical Readiness Battalion, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, as he assumed the duty from outgoing 1st. Sgt. Barron Clark II.
“First Sergeant Clark, it’s difficult to summarize the impact you’ve had on headquarters company over the course of two years,” said Malace. “I’ve seen you execute all the tenets of what a first sergeant’s focus should be on: Soldier welfare, training, discipline, morale, and upholder of standards, and a trusted advisor.”
“What truly sets you apart is an extraordinary ability to adapt―to shape your approach and delivery to meet the unique requirements of each individual Soldier. This was only possible because you knew your Soldiers,” she added.
Clark thanked the military and civilian staff for their hard work and support and encouraged Oliver to be “loving and stern, pessimistic and optimistic and to go where there is friction”. 
He also encouraged the military members of the hospital to share their knowledge with members of the hospital and subordinate units and to be a Soldier first.
“With our everchanging environment of competition, conflict and crisis, the Army needs to ensure that you can shoot, move, communicate and medicate,” said Clark. “It was never about NCOER or OER bullets between our companies, it was always about making the battalion better, as we shared ideas and lessons learned, gave each other advice and had the hard conversations.”
Malace welcomed Oliver and his family to the organization. He joins the unit after being stationed and deployed with the 2nd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, Fort Carson, Colo.
“It’s with great anticipation and confidence that we welcome 1st Sgt. Eddy Oliver to our ranks,” said Malace. “1st Sgt. Oliver, I know you bring with you a wealth of experience, a commitment to excellence, and a passion for leading Soldiers.”
The Soldiers of Headquarters Company, stand ready to support you, and we look forward to the challenges and successes that lie ahead, she added.
Oliver took the reins acknowledging the legacy and large shoes to fill left by Clark, but committed to upholding the values, discipline and spirit he cultivated.
“As I step into this role, I pledge to serve with integrity, dedication, respect and most importantly empathy. I am reminded of a quote from Henry Ford, ‘If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person’s point of view and see things from his angle as well as your own,’” said Oliver. “I am confident and excited for the new opportunities and challenges."
“I look forward to working alongside each of you—learning, leading, and growing together,” he added.
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