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Vol. 31, No. 10 May 16, 2014

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Social Media What’s Inside

Students ExploreNeuroscience, p.3

Fort Detrick Collaborates onMotorcycle Safety, p. 4

Armed Forces Week, p. 6

CHELSEA BAUCKMANUSAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS

TheU.S. ArmyMedical Research andMa-teriel Command is pleased to announce thearrival of Rear Admiral Bruce A. Doll, newdeputy commander for the USAMRMC andFort Detrick. Doll comes to the USAMRMCteam from the Naval Medical Research andDevelopment Command where he served ascommander.

A graduate of Colgate University, Dollbegan his career in the Navy service whenhe was competitively selected for the 1925Iprogram and was commissioned as an en-sign in the U.S. Navy reserve. He cites manycontributing factors throughout his years inthe Navy that have led to, what he considersto be, a wonderful military career.

It all started with a childhood spentnear the Hudson Bay in New York City.Doll enjoyed all aspects of life on the wa-ter; whether it be in it, under it, or sailingon top of it. It was no surprise then that,after finishing college, he looked next tothe military.

Following graduation from the State Uni-versity of New York at Buffalo, School of Den-tistry, with aDoctor ofDental Surgery in 1981,Doll sought out opportunities that would af-ford him the ability to treat patients in anynumber of places throughout the world; spe-cifically, in support of service members.

Military servicewas, after all, inDollsblood,and a passion for volunteerism ran deep aswell. Doll spent a great deal of his formativeyears serving in the Boy Scouts and other vol-unteer organizations, and the thought of join-ing themilitary was always, “simmering in thebackground,” admitted Doll.

Doll looked to the Navy first, and per-haps because of his love of the water, lookedno further.

His early Navy career ran the gamut. Dollserved alongside the Marines aboard shipas well as in a Navy facility; each new tourpresenting its own unique challenges. How-ever, without challenge there would be noachievement, and with each new tour alsocame plenty of enjoyment. Doll immersedhimself in each of his duty stations, seek-

ing new opportunities along the way. Hecompleted explosive ordinance disposal,learned to sail at the Naval Academy, andlearned to fly at China Lake, all thanks tothe interactions and relationships built withcolleagues and patients along the way.

“What I found was that, while the plac-es were interesting, it was the people thatmade the experience both enjoyable andmemorable,” said Doll. “Those were the in-dividuals I would interact withmost, wheth-er it be treating them or serving alongsidethem. One of the nice things about healthcare is being able to treat everyone in acommunity. I was able to meet and interactwith everyone.”

Doll didn’t stop there, taking full advan-tage of the priority that the Navy places onprofessional development. Throughout hiscareer he frequently returned to academia,either to further his own education or in aneffort to teach others all that he had learned.After 10 successful years in the Navy, Dollexperienced a defining moment in his ca-reer; he began working with a mentor, whoexposed him to the world of research. Short-

MRMCWelcomes NewDeputyCommander

See WELCOME, continued on page 8

MELISSA MYERSUSAMRMC PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The U.S. Army Medical Research andMateriel Command will bid a fond farewellto Navy Deputy Commander Keith A. Syringthis month; wishing him the best of luck ashe sets sail for new adventures in his last fewmonths in the Navy, on his way to the won-derful world of retirement.

Arriving just shy of two years ago in June2012, Syring embarked on his very first Armyassignment as the second-ever naval officerto serve as the deputy commander here atthe USAMRMC and Fort Detrick. While theUSAMRMC is in fact an Army command,both Navy and U.S. Air Force support com-mand efforts in creating and deliveringmedical information and products for warf-ighting families across the globe.

ANew Jersey native, Syring is the proud fa-ther of three daughters, Morgan, Brooke, andKristi, and husband to wife, Donna. Earninghis Bachelor of Arts in biology from RutgersUniversity, Syring was once on his way to ap-plying for veterinary school, not enlisting inthe U.S. military. However, with no officialpre-veterinary education available in NewJersey, being accepted into the out-of-state

program presented its challenges.“In New Jersey, there is no veterinary

school. So, in the early 1980’s, the state hadan agreement with a few out-of-state uni-versities, and the top 4 applicants in NewJersey would be selected to move on toveterinary school,” explained Syring, “andas you can imagine, I wasn’t 1, 2, 3 or 4; oranywhere near,” he finished with a laugh.

So why the Navy?“Well, my father was in the Navy, so

that kind of drew me in I guess you couldsay; following in Dad’s footsteps,” saidSyring. “I was drawn to the idea of serv-ing the country and doing something be-yond just making money.”

The animal service community’s loss wasthe military’s gain, and the man who oncedreamed of being a veterinarian insteadchanged gears, accepting a commission asensign in the Medical Services Corps, U.S.Naval Reserve, in 1985. Only a short yearlater, Syring was officially designated NavalPhysiologist #147 at the Naval AerospaceMedical Institute in Pensacola, Florida, afterearning his wings. Following his first assign-ment as the preceptor at the Aviation Physi-ology Training Unit, he was then assignedas the aeromedical safety officer for MarineAircraft Group Eleven in El Toro, Califor-nia. While serving at MAG, Syring also de-cided to enroll in the Aviation Safety OfficerCourse at the Naval Postgraduate School.

“I will always remember going throughflight school and my time in ASOC,” Syringreminisced, “I remember those days as ifthey were yesterday.”

By 1992, then Lt. Cmdr. Syring reportedto the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute toserve as the assistant model manager for theAviation Physiology andwater survival train-ing; selected as the Naval Aerospace Physi-ologist of the Year after only two short years,in 1994.

What exactly is an Aerospace Physiologist?“Aerospace Physiologists are the train-

ers who do the water survival training, theover-land training for aviators, parachutetraining, ejection seat training, all of the ef-fects of altitude on pilots, and so on,” Syring

MRMCNavyDeputyCommander Sets Sail

See SET SAIL, continued on page 5

MRMC Deputy Commander Hail and Farewell

Capt. Keith A. SyringRear Admiral Bruce A. Doll

2 Fort Detrick StandardMay 16, 2014 Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Commentary:

Command StaffMaj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr.

Commanding general, U.S. Army Medical

Research and Materiel Command

and Fort Detrick

Col. Steven P. MiddlecampU.S. Army Garrison commander

Editorial StaffPAO Staff

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ment of DoD. Everything advertised in this publication shallbe made available for purchase, use or patronage withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or anyother nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron.Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort DetrickPublic Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md.21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004,telephone 301-619-2018; e-mail: [email protected].

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After Duty NumbersImportant After Duty Hour Numbers

This weekend, May 17-18, road striping will occur on Fort Detrick. Alldouble yellow, center lines will be painted, starting at the OpposumtownPike entrance working west. Additionally, white striping will be paintedstarting at the Opposumtown Pike entrance working west down PorterStreet.

Traffic cones will be present in work areas, but paint can be driven onafter one minute with no impact to vehicles.

Road Striping toOccur this Weekend

During the last several days, the Fort Detrick Com-munity has gathered in celebration of Armed ForcesWeek. Through events designed to give family mem-bers and civilian co-workers a glimpse into the life ofa Soldier, Armed Forces Week has become an annualtradition here at Fort Detrick. The week’s events willculminate Saturday, May 17, with a field day and pic-nic at Nalin Pond in observance of Armed Forces Day.

In 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the Na-tional Security Act, creating the Department of the AirForce and merging the Department of War (renamedthe Department of the Army) and the Department ofthe Navy into the National Military Establishment,headed by the Secretary of Defense. Two years later,the act was amended to unify the Army, Navy, and AirForce into a united structure, and the NME was re-named the Department of Defense.

Louis Johnson, the then Secretary of Defense,announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day,replacing the separate Army, Navy, and Air ForceDays formerly observed. The Marine Corps declinedto drop support for Marine Corps Day, but supports

Armed Forces Day as well.The inaugural Armed Forces Day was celebrated on

May 20, 1950. It was a day to honor the Armed Forcesby showing support and admiration.

Armed Forces Day 2014, while observed differ-

ently, is still held with the intent of celebrating andhonoring the men and women who serve and sup-port our Nation’s military. It is not an easy job andit comes with distinct challenges and demands; inju-ries, repeated deployments, challenging missions... itall adds up.

Events, such as Armed Forces week, and programslike as the Surgeon General’s Performance Triad ini-tiative and the Ready and Resilient Campaign, havebeen created to support the Army family during try-ing times. The Performance Triad encourages optimalhealth in order to improve performance among Sol-diers and families. The R2C integrates multiple effortsand programs, including the Performance Triad, inorder to improve the overall readiness and resilienceof the Army family.

As Armed Forces Week 2014 comes to a close,remember that your support to the Army familyis a vital aspect of ensuring our fighting forces aremission ready and capable of defending the UnitedStates of America. Remember, you don’t need a na-tionally recognized holiday to say, “thank you.”

Armed Forces WeekCelebrates our War Fighters

3Fort Detrick StandardMay 16, 2014Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

SHANNON SARINONMHM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Nearly 500 local middle school stu-dents participated in the 15th annualBrain Awareness Week, March 10-14at the National Museum of Health andMedicine.

During the event, students learnedabout traumatic brain injuries, brainanatomy, neurons, how brain cells com-municate and other science-related top-ics through hands-on activity stations.

“Students were provided with a life-impacting opportunity to interact one-on-one with area neuroscientists. Theysaw how nerves are being utilized to con-trol prosthetics. They learned innovativeways that patients with speech disordersare being rehabilitated and they evenhad an opportunity to hold a humanbrain specimen,” said Andrea Schierkolk,NMHM public programs manager.“Hopefully, they will be inspired to pur-sue a career in the sciences, perhaps eventhe neurosciences.”

The event was coordinated through apartnership with NMHM, the Dana Alli-

ance for Brain Initiatives, the Defenseand Veterans Brain Injury Center, theWalter Reed Army Institute of Research,the Uniformed Services University of theHealth Sciences and the CongressionallyDirected Medical Research Programs.

Students ExploreNeuroscience

at Museum’s BrainAwareness Week

Michael Addis, from the Walter ReedArmy Institute of Research, demon-strates to students the basics of neu-rophysiology by stimulating cricketlegs during Brain Awareness Weekat NMHMMarch 10 - 14.

Photo courtesy of the NationalMuseum of Health and Medicine

NICK MINECCIUSAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Navigating the military health care sys-tem following injury or illness may present aseemingly impossible mountain to climb formany Soldiers and their families. In order toassist during this time, the Army createdSoldier and Family Assistance Centers; com-prehensive, centralized coordinating officesthat provide a variety of services to assistSoldiers and their families with administra-tive and personal needs during their stay atWarrior Transition Units.

According to Christopher Watson, direc-tor of the SFAC at the Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center in Bethesda, Mary-land, “[The SFAC] is there to provide tailoredsupport services and act as an informationbroker and clearing house for our Warriorsin Transition and their families. We are here

to assist them in any way we can when theyare making life-changing decisions as theytransition back to duty or to civilian life.”

Watson said the SFAC provides a com-fortable, friendly, one-stop center with alounge that provides sofas, TV, games, com-puters with internet service, and snacks forpeople that need a place to unwind, or waitto speak to a counselor.

With a staff of approximately 20 people,the SFAC helps WoundedWarriors and theirfamilies with everyday needs that the mili-tary doesn’t provide, as well as a conduit forassistance from the Fisher House Founda-tion, Yellow Ribbon Fund, Walter Reed So-ciety and other organizations that assist theWounded Warriors.

“For example, if a Soldier or the familyneeds money to pay bills back home, theycan apply through us to the Walter Reed

Society, after seeking help from the ArmyEmergency Relief and other organizations”Watson said.

The goals of the SFAC, according to Wat-son, are to provide assistance to 100 percentof the Warriors in Transition that are as-signed or attached to theWRNMMCWarriorTransition Brigade and their family mem-bers; to co-sponsor events in support of theWarriors in Transition; to establish linkswith outside organizations to support theWarrior in Transition and family members;to in-process 100 percent of all Warriors inTransition that are assigned or attached tothe WTB; to market the SFAC program to al-low the community to fully understand thesupport that is being provided; maintain adatabase of quick access programs that canassist with lodging, taxi services, rental ve-hicles and airline flights, and; maintain the

Client Tracking System; and to account forthe SFAC support provided to the WIT andtheir family members.

“We help people navigate the system,and know it can appear like a huge moun-tain to climb, with all the issues a personcan face, but we are here to help peoplemake their way through all of this with aslittle stress as possible, and to make this atime where they can focus on healing,” Wat-son said.

“We are here to assist the men and wom-en who have sacrificed so much for our na-tion, and to help their families through somevery difficult times. My goal, and the goal ofeveryone here, is to make sure these heroesget all of the help they need and make thisprocess as easy as possible,” Watson said.

For more information or a referral for theSFAC, call (301) 400-0208.

SFAC Assists Wounded Warriors Through Trying Times

MAJ. LAKISHA FLAGGU.S. ARMY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMAND

Every day, Soldiers and leaders are re-minded of the importance of Soldier readi-ness. Readiness is essential to the successof the force, and it is one way to ensurethat every Soldier is fit-to-fight at all times.Maintaining technical and tactical profi-ciency is critical to readiness, but withoutgood health, Soldiers are incapable of func-tioning at the level necessary to succeed intheir profession. Health screening helpsservice members to prevent illness and tostay in good health.

May 11-17 is National Women’s HealthWeek. While male and female Soldiersshare some basic health requirements forreadiness, female Soldiers require healthscreenings that are unique to the health ofwomen. These requirements include cer-vical cancer screening, also known as thePap smear or Pap test, and breast cancerscreening. These tests provide women withthe opportunity to detect diseases, suchas cancer, in the early stages, often beforesymptoms occur. By making sure that rou-tine cervical cancer screenings are com-pleted, women can help increase the likeli-hood that abnormal findings are detectedand treated early.

Breast cancer screening is another wayto detect cancer early on and to ensure thatbreast cancer is detected in the early stages.Like most cancers, breast cancer is easiestto treat when it is detected early, and earlydetection improves the chances that thiscancer can be diagnosed at an early stageand treated successfully. More informationabout women’s health and health screen-

ing is available on the U.S. Army PublicHealth Command’s Women’s Health Portalat http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/heal-thyliving/wh/Pages/default.aspx.

In addition to these health screen-ings, female Soldiers should also considerthe three critical components of personalhealth when working to enhance theirreadiness. These components are sleepmanagement, activity and nutrition.

Although these are basic actions thatare sometimes taken for granted, they areessential to readiness. Routine physical ac-tivity will not only improve readiness butit can also reduce stress, strengthen theheart and lungs, increase energy levels,and improve mood. Quality nutrition andsleep management are equally importantas they promote overall health, help pre-vent disease and help achieve or maintaina healthy body weight. When these criticalcomponents are missing, female Soldiersare at an increased risk for stroke, cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Wethink better, feel better and perform betterwhen our bodies are well nourished, wellrested and healthy.

The Army surgeon general, a woman,has developed the Performance Triad toeducate not just female Soldiers, but allSoldiers and retirees, their family members,and Army civilians about how quality sleep,activity and improved nutrition can help usall reach our full potential.

More information about the Perfor-mance Triad and how to improve readi-ness through it can be found at http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/Pages/PerformanceTriad.aspx.

National Women’s HealthWeek; Adequate Sleep,Activity, Nutrition Vital

to Soldier Readiness

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,visit www.dcmilitary.com

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SHANNON BISHOPUSAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The fifth annual Motorcycle Safety Fo-rum took place at the Community Activi-ties Center May 8. A group ride followedthe forum and took riders on a routethrough Frederick, Maryland.

During the forum, the Fort Detrick com-munity had the opportunity to network withmotorcycle safety experts, share personalstories, and discuss their love of all thingsrelated to motorcycles.

Guest speakers covered a range of topicsincluding personal protective gear, the im-portance of visibility, and motorcycle safetytraining courses.

“The most important thing for peopleto understand is that when you are on yourbike, make yourself visible,” said SafetyTechnician Charles Harriday.

Fort Detrick Garrison Commander Col.Steven Middlecamp spoke during the eventabout the importance of discipline for mo-torcyclists. He commented that we have lost33 percent more service members to fatalmotorcycle crashes than last year.

“I hope that all of you are self-evaluatingyourselves to know your skills when riding. Iencourage each and every one of you to finda mentor,” Middlecamp said.

The U.S. Army requires all service mem-bers to complete the Basic Riders Coursein order to ride a motorcycle on a militaryinstallation. Additionally, the military andmany health insurance companies, includ-ing TriCare, mandate that riders wear theappropriate personal protective equipment.

A release on motorcycle myths by ArmyCombat Readiness Command Sgt. Maj. TodGlidewell discussed the consequences ofnot wearing PPE. If misconduct is found bynot wearing PPE in the event of an accident,the rider could be held responsible for his/her medical bills, according to Glidewell.

“No matter what kind of bike you ride,take the safety course. You may have a badhabit you don’t realize until you take thecourse. The course is offered at the MotorVehicle Administration, Frederick Commu-nity College and the Frederick Harley Da-vidson,” said Lee Richardson, MotorcycleRental salesperson from Frederick HarleyDavidson. “I have guys that come to us to

Fort Detrick CommunityCollaborates on Motorcycle

Safety at Annual Forum

Following the Safety Forum, motorcy-clists from Fort Detrick underwent amotorcycle inspection before leavingfor the group ride through Frederick.

Photo by Shannon Bishop

See MOTORCYCLE, continued on page 8

NICK MINECCIUSAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Fort Detrick and Forest Glen Annex tookpart in the National Prescription Take BackDay, April 25 and 26, collecting a combinedtotal of approximately 292 pounds of medi-cation, a 185-pound increase from the lastTake Back Day in October 2013.

“We did this over two days as opposedto one day last year, but this was still a greatturnout,” said Brad Neilson, program man-ager, Fort Detrick Army Substance Abuseand Health Promotion Programs.

The National Prescription Drug TakeBack Day provides a safe, secure, and envi-ronmentally responsible means of disposingof prescription drugs, while also educating

the general public about the potential forabuse and trafficking of medications, ac-cording to Sherri Schaefer, ASAP preventionservices coordinator.

Take Back Days are needed because theControlled Substances Act, as originallywritten, didn’t provide a way for patients,caregivers, and pet owners to dispose of suchCSmedications as painkillers, sedatives, andstimulants. People were flushing their oldmedications down the toilet or throwingthem in the trash, said Michele Leonhart,administrator for the U.S. Drug EnforcementAdministration, in a press release.

For more information on PrescriptionTake Back information or Prescription Drugabuse, contact ASAP at (301) 619-9722 (FortDetrick) or (301) 295-8115 (Forest Glen).

Fort Detrick CommunityTurns Out for Prescription

Take Back Days

1041920


TIM CLARKENMHM PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Senior leaders from several Fort Detrick and Fort Detrick-Forest Glen Annex agencies commemorated World HealthDay 2014 with a special proclamation signing ceremony atthe National Museum of Health and Medicine April 7.

This year’s World Health Day, with a theme, “small bite,big threat,” spotlighted vector-borne diseases such as ma-laria and dengue.

“Infectious diseases have traditionally been the greatestthreat to Soldier health and readiness. That’s why the U.S.Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, theWalter Reed Army Institute of Research and our overseaslabs are dedicated to rapidly detecting and protecting ourSoldiers from infectious diseases,” said Maj. Gen. JosephCaravalho, Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Re-

search and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, during avideo greeting at the proclamation ceremony. “We’ve creat-ed and deployed rapid detection kits for West Nile and otherviruses that Soldiers can use anywhere, even on the battle-field. We continue to work on vaccines and treatments, in-cluding promising steps toward a malaria vaccine.”

The leaders that gathered at NMHM represented theDoD’s major investment in research to protect servicemembers affected by vector-borne diseases and to high-light ongoing efforts to develop new treatments, includinga potential future vaccine for malaria. Speakers includedRear Adm. Bruce A. Doll, director for Research and Devel-opment at the Defense Health Agency; Capt. Keith A. Syring,deputy commander, USAMRMC; Capt. John W. Sanders,commanding officer, Naval Medical Research Center; Dr.Keith Carter, senior leader on malaria, Regional Office ofthe World Health Organization; Col. Shanda M. Zugner, ex-

ecutive officer, WRAIR; Capt. Gregory M. Beavers, director,Armed Forces Pest Management Board; and Dr. AdrianneNoe, director, NMHM.

Noe described the unique role of the military’s medicalmuseum in furthering our understanding of disease trans-mission throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries,and in providing platforms to facilitate public education.

NMHM and the other Forest Glen organizations also helda World Health Day open house April 12. Staff from AFPMB,NMRC and WRAIR showcased their research, as well as ed-ucated the public about insects, the importance of honeybees, and the latest advancements in insect repellents.

Added Doll, “You have captured in ‘small bite, big threat’a way to convey the message that it may not be in our back-yard all the time, but it is a worldwide threat and it deservesa worldwide effort to eradicate each of these significantthreats that we face.”

Defense Department Demonstrates Ongoing Interestin Combatting Vector-Borne Diseases

explained. “We’re the folks on the outside.”Syring officially earned his Certification in Aerospace

Physiology from the Aerospace Medical Association in 1997,and he didn’t stop there; going on to receive a master’s de-gree in public administration (health care) from Troy StateUniversity in 1999.

After almost two decades of service and various tours,Syring was promoted to captain in 2006, moving on to bethe deputy director of the Marine Corps Safety Program.Not long after, in 2007, Syring jumped again; this time to theNavy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery to serve as the aero-space physiology program manager and specialty leader. By2010, he became the first commanding officer of the NavalMedical Research Unit at Wright Patterson Air Force Base,and finally, in 2012, Syring made his way to Fort Detrick andbecame a part of the USAMRMC family.

“This is the fourth service I’ve toured with. My first fourtours were with the Marines, then I went over to BUMED,then went to the Air Force, and now to the Army,” said Sy-ring, “and it’s been interesting seeing the differences [be-tween the services].”

Serving just shy of two years here at USAMRMC, thisArmy commands operations have needless to say presentedtheir own unique challenges for the Navy captain. The big-gest difference?

“The language!” said Syring without hesitation. “The lan-guage is a big difference. We say one thing in the Navy and inthe Army it’s completely different.”

Not only were language barriers apparent, but culturaldifferences presented their own hitches as well.

“Army is much larger, while the Navy is a little morefocused on the lower levels,” Syringe explained. “Adjust-ing to the Army outlook and understanding the philoso-phy and Army system and really just the day-to-day littlethings turned out to be the biggest things.”

“What sticks out in my mind the most would probablybe the first time I came here and walked through the frontdoors,” Syring continued. “I started getting the briefs andhearing all the different acronyms, and just realizing all thedifferent things that this place touches, it’s just amazing.”

Despite the challenges and adjustments presented withany new job, Syring pushed on to serve just shy of two en-joyable years here at USAMRMC.

“My time here has certainly been a positive one,” saidSyring. “I’ve met a lot of great people, and it’s been a lotof fun. Thank you to everyone here at MRMC for embrac-ing me and making me part of the team, it has truly been apleasure and I will not forget it.”

Syring will officially retire in December of this year with30 years of military service.

“Truthfully, it has been a great experience,” Syringcommented, reflecting back on his three decades of ser-vice, “and I had always said that when it was no longerfun, I would get out... But, I ran out of time,” he finishedwith a laugh.

As MRMC bids adieu to Syring, the command welcomesnew deputy commander, and fellow seaman, Rear Adm.Bruce A. Doll.

The outgoing deputy commander’s advice?“Keep your head above water!”

SET SAIL, continued from page 1


Armed Forces Week

Photos by Nicholas Minecci


The Balfour Beatty Community Centerparking lot filled quickly on May 9 as spous-es gathered for an afternoon of being pam-pered and thanked for all their support toour Soldiers as part of Military Spouse Ap-preciation Day.

Local vendors, including Nymeo FederalCredit Union, Mary Kay, and the TempleSchool, participated in the event; offeringspouses free manicures, facials, and mas-sages to show their gratitude. Additionally,spouses took home fresh flowers as a tokenof appreciation.

“While we, as Soldiers, perform our du-ties or are deployed in harm’s way, ourspouses take on the role of mom and dad.They take the kids to ball games, ballet prac-tices, and to the doctor if needed. When wereturn from a deployment, whether it is 12or 15 months, it is our spouses that reinte-grate us with our families,” said GarrisonCommand Sgt. Maj. Richard Jessup. “Thestrength of our Army is our Soldiers. Thestrength of our Soldiers is our families. It isfor this reason that we appreciate our mili-tary spouses.”

One military spouse, Eleni Martin, com-mented on the challenges of being a mili-tary spouse.

“The most challenging thing is the factthat our husbands have to put their jobs first.In most relationships, the family would befirst and then the career. In the military, it’sthe complete opposite. Sometimes it can betough to accept,” explained Martin. “[On

Fort Detrick Hosts Event to ThankMilitary Spouses for Support

Each military spouse took home a freshflower as a token of appreciation for allof their support to our military.

Photo by Shannon Bishop

See SUPPORT, continued on page 9


As part of Armed Forces Week, I had theopportunity on May 14 to participate in “Bea Soldier for the Day” activities. The daybegan with Physical Readiness Training,including preparation drills, conditioningdrills and recovery drills.

As a mother of two children under theage of three, physical fitness hasn’t been onthe top of my list of priorities in the last twoyears. My current exercise regiment is carry-ing a 25-pound and 27-pound baby up anddown the stairs, to and from the car, andchasing them around the house.

PRT exercises allowed me to stretchmuscles in my body that I didn’t know stillexisted. I jumped higher than I thought Icould jump andI even did a modified push-up, since apparently my arms only seem tobe strong enough to carry my toddlers.

After about 30 exercises that I had neverdone before, I’m not sure that I would makeit through basic training. In fact, I’m prettysure they would kick me out and tell me notto come back. However, being able to expe-rience Army PRT for the first time gave me anew appreciation for what our military does

A Civilian Perspective onArmy Physical Training

Shannon Bishop, USAG Public Affairs,participated in the Army PhysicalReadiness Training as part of ArmedForces Week. Photo by Sidney Hinds

See TRAINING, continued on page 8


CAPT. NATHAN WAGNER6TH MLMC

Soldiers of the 6th Medi-cal Logistic ManagementCenter volunteered at the2014 Special Olympics Uni-fied Track and Field StateHigh School Invitational inHyattsville, Maryland, May 6.

During the event, Soldiershelped with the preparation,staffing, and judging of themini javelin, shot-put and

long jump events. Sgt. 1stClass Royregus Crosby ledthe volunteers for the day.

“The opportunity to in-teract with the athletes wasan extremely rewardingexperience for everyone in-volved. The heart, persever-ance and dedication shownby the athletes was noth-ing short of inspirational,”Crosby said.

Military from multiplelocal organizations also vol-unteered.

“Seeing all services cometogether to volunteer atan event like this broughteveryone closer togetheras brothers and sisters inarms,” stated Spc. KaitlynArndt, a Soldier assigned tothe 6th MLMC.

Arndt added that the 6thMLMC makes communityservice a priority and pro-vides volunteer support atmultiple events throughoutthe year.

6th MLMC Volunteers withLocal Special Olympics Event

Multiple branches of the military from local organizations came together to vol-unteer at the Special Olympics Unified Track and Field State High School Invita-tional May 6. Photo by Spc. Lynnette Brown, 6th MLMC

The National InteragencyConfederation for Biologi-cal Research hosted the 14thannual Spring Research Fes-tival May 7-8 at Fort Detrick.

The event, themed “TheMicrobiome: Impact onHealth & Disease,” providedthe opportunity for scien-tists to share research andidentify potential collabora-tions, as well as for the publicto view scientific equipment,posters and health educationexhibits.

SpringResearchFestival

Photos courtesy of Joseph Meyer, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and Lanessa Hill

HHD 6th MLMCChanges Command

Capt. NathanWagner accepts the colors of the Headquarters andHeadquartersDetachment, 6thMLMC fromCol. AnthonyNesbitt. Wagner assumed command fromCapt. SeunghoKang, who has held the position since 2011. Photo by Sidney Hinds

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ly after his transition to reserve status, Dollchose to pursue a Doctorate of Philosophyin Cell and Molecular Biology.

“I still had the ability to have the execu-tive experience [from the Navy], but I wasadding to it on the research side,” explainedDoll.

Once he had earned his doctorate,he remained on reserve duty in order toteach and conduct research.

In the midst of his teaching career, theU.S. campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan be-gan. Doll redeployed to Landstuhl RegionalMedical Center where he was charged withthe care of injured Soldiers returning fromthe battlefield. He cites this period of timeas one of the most humbling experiences ofhis military career; fondly recalling the pridehe experienced from those he encountered.

“When you’re around these individu-als who have given such a huge measure ofthemselves in so many ways, the motivationto do right by them and to say ‘I am glad Ican be directly involved, but I am still justsupporting you...you were the one out therefighting,’ it is a wonderful experience in termsof how it humbles a person,” Doll reflected.

Almost serendipitously, around thissame time the Navy elected to stand upa more robust research community, onewhich Doll himself was selected to join inOctober 2012.

Excited to assume the position of deputycommander here at USAMRMC, Doll be-lieves his past experiences and former roleshave prepared him well for this position, andhe is eager to begin his work with the com-mand. Doll will not only serve as the deputycommander, but will also be stepping in asthe new director of research and develop-ment for the Defense Health Agency.

“It is my privilege to also serve as thedirector of the newly established DHA, Di-rectorate for Research, Development, andAcquisition,” said Doll. “I can’t think of abetter job, and I get to work with all of thesegreat people. For me, I am at the top of themountain... and I didn’t even see the moun-tain there two years ago.”

First and foremost, Doll says his toppriority as the deputy commander of US-AMRMC is supporting the commandinggeneral. Beyond that, he is focused on thecollaborative spirit of the military.

“Right now, we have three services; eachwith a research capability of varying sizesand different focuses,” said Doll.

Doll is aware that bringing all of theseindividuals and independent resourcestogether may take some “elbow grease.”

“That unified focus on an operationalmission and on a way to take what our cur-rent capabilities are and make them moreefficient, that is what will result in improvedresponsiveness to the requests from ourWarfighters,” explained Doll. “Whether itbe improved therapies, improved perfor-mance, or ways to minimize and/or miti-gate disease, these men and women goinginto theater face threats that when you aresitting at home you don’t have to worryabout. Unifying effort but preserving eq-uities, those things that each service doeswell... I’m sensitive to that challenge.”

In his quest to achieve the goals desig-nated to the deputy commander role, Dolllooks forward to working with the countlessexperienced and committed people withinthis command.

How does he plan to achieve these goals?“Well, spelling out every acronym would

be an enormous help,” he said with a laugh,but in all seriousness, keeping the lines ofcommunication open and simplified is one

of the most important steps to getting theMRMC story out and getting it right.

“Getting the message right means I un-derstand what the people are saying and Ican now act as their advocate,” said Doll.“In the role that I have, the means by whichwe keep the communication lines open iskey to what I feel is a key responsibility ofmine; to be an advocate for our interests,both tri-service and MRMC alike.”

As far as his new role with DHA is con-cerned, the same concept applies.

“DHA is new, which means it is subjectto rumors,” Doll explained. “Part of my goalis to continually communicate the story. Itis a story of success and it is a story of wherewe are headed. DHA is a part of where weare headed and so it is important to makesure that the story is being told and that themessage I am sending is the one that’s beingreceived, bar acronyms.”

Throughout Dolls multiple assignmentsduring his Navy career, he notes how for-tunate he feels to have been blessed withsuch a variety of opportunities and enjoy-ments that came along with each duty sta-tion. While the places on the map were dif-ferent, he used each new assignment as anopportunity to build on past experiencesand broaden his mind.

The one constant in all his years of ser-vice: the people.

“Good people, that’s the bottom lineof my entire experience,” said Doll, “andwhatever the challenges may be there is away through it if you have good people byyour side.”

“I look around the table and there aresome very experienced and talented peoplehere,” Doll continued. “Some people arenew as is often a result of tour changes, butno matter what, the attitude is that ‘we cando this.’”

WELCOME, continued from page 1

take the course every single year as a re-fresher. They hope to pick up a new safetytip every time they come.”

Control, speed, and good decision-mak-ing skills are all factors in motorcycle safety,according to Peter Moe, MVA motorcyclesafety expert. “Control is all about you.When you get on that bike, it is all aboutyour decisions. Make the decision to rideand make it back in one piece,” said Moe.

For more information about motorcy-cle safety in the Army, visit: https://safety.army.mil/povmotorcyclesafety/MOTOR-CYCLE/tabid/365/Default.aspx.

For more information about the Fort De-trick Safety Office, call (301) 619-7318.

MOTORCYCLE, continued from page 4

outside of public view.When civilians think of Army PRT, many

think of running 20 miles, or doing 100pushups, but that isn’t what it’s about ac-cording to Sgt. 1st Class Brian Saubery ofthe United States Army Medical ResearchInstitute of Infectious Diseases.

Saubery explained that the Army recent-ly redesigned their PRT plans in order toreduce the number of injuries that happen,and to make the exercises worthwhile.

What the Army defines as an exer-cise regiment is much different than my“mom workout.” Pushups, stretching, corestrengthening activities and endurancetraining are words you’ll find associatedwith military exercise.

If you are interested in learning moreabout Army PRT, go to http://www.armyprt.com/index.shtml. Visit your smart phoneapp store for the official Army app with linksto PRT exercise.

TRAINING, continued from page 6

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LANESSA HILLUSAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Leaders from Fort Det-rick labs participated in aSafety Expo sponsored bythe Containment Lab Com-munity Advisory Committeeat Hood College April 30.

An estimated 100 attend-ees included students, localcollege faculties, elected of-ficials, and local residentswho attended to learn moreabout the post’s biosafetyand security programs.

“The community askedfor an opportunity to talk

with experts and leadersat Fort Detrick and we an-swered,” said U.S. ArmyGarrison Command Sgt.Maj. Richard D. Jessup.“This was another exampleof how the installation andcommunity work togetherfor each other.”

Participants included theNational Institute of Allergyand Infectious Disease In-tegrated Research Facility,National Biodefense Analy-sis and CountermeasuresCenter, U.S. Army MedicalResearch Institute of Infec-tious Diseases, and USAG.

The CLCAC was formedin 2011. Its purpose is to fos-ter two-way communicationbetween the public and theoperators of the high con-tainment laboratories oper-ating at Fort Detrick and else-where in Frederick County.The CLCAC also gathersinformation about publicconcerns and advises thegovernment, containmentlabs, and Fort Detrick offi-cials about opportunities toimprove operational mattersthat may potentially impactpublic safety and health.

Safety Expo AnswersCommunity Questions

days like today] it’s reallynice to see people take thetime to recognize that beingthe one left behind all thetime is a tough job and oftenunderestimated. Today wasperfect.”

President Ronald Rea-gan first recognized theprofound importance of aspouse’s commitment to thereadiness and well-being ofmilitary members, officially

declaring May 23, 1984, thefirst Military Spouse Day.The date was later stan-dardized, declaring the Fri-day before Mother’s Day asNational Military SpouseAppreciation Day.

“Our military spousesembody ideals we cherish:strength, loyalty, and com-mitment. They stand besidethose who stand behindour flag, giving their all and

making tremendous sac-rifices. They shoulder theburdens of countless movesand stressful deployments,and they uphold their end ofthe bargain,” said PresidentBarack Obama in an officialrelease. “OnMilitary SpouseAppreciation Day, we cel-ebrate the force behind theforce and show these home-front heroes the full supportof a grateful Nation.”

SUPPORT, continued from page 6

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CAPT. PATRICIA ALVAREZBARQUIST ARMY HEALTH CLINIC

The Army Performance Triad Kickoff cel-ebration is set for June 2-6, with several freevents planned throughout the week.

The Performance Triad is a pilot programlaunched by the Office of the Surgeon Gen-eral and Army Medicine. The three pillarsof the Performance Triad are sleep, activity,and nutrition.

The Performance Triad program comple-ments the Department of Defense’s Opera-tion Live Well campaign, the Army’s Ready& Resilient Campaign, and the Comprehen-sive Soldier and Family Fitness Program.

The Performance Triad program wasimplemented by Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horo-

ho the Surgeon General and CommandingGeneral of the U.S. ArmyMedical Commandin 2013. According to Horoho, in order to re-duce costs and remainmission-ready, ArmyMedicine needs to transition from a healthcare system focused on treating disease toa system for health, focused on prevention.

According to Military OneSource, obe-sity, and tobacco use among U.S. militaryhealth care beneficiaries add over three bil-lion per year to the DoD’s budget in healthcare costs and lost duty days.

The Performance Triad program encour-ages Soldiers, civilians, and family membersto achieve and maintain balance in all threeareas. Experts recommend people get sevento eight hours of sleep per day, walk at least10,000 steps per day, and eat a healthy dietrich in fruits and vegetables.

Army Performance Triad KickoffSet for June 2-6

PERFORMANCE TRIAD EVENTSMonday- Proclamation Ceremony- “Healthy Behavior Challenge” kick off - a 12-week challenge to all units on Fort Det-

rick. Units will receive points for any educational (activity, nutrition, and sleep) activitiesthey participate in (all classes offered at Barquist Army Health Clinic) and percentageof body fat lost.

Tuesday- Free massages in the Lobby at Barquist Army Health ClinicWednesday- 5K Walk for Your Health (T-shirt give away to the first 25 participants)- Sleep class offered at Barquist Army Health ClinicThursday- Developing Childhood Resiliency class presented by Army Community Service at

Barquist Army Health Clinic- Performance Triad/Healthy Behavior class offered at Barquist Army Health ClinicFriday- Commissary tour, Nutrition class at Barquist Army Health Clinic

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