The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center, Europe, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment conducted a Change of Responsibility ceremony April 17. Soldiers, officers, family members, friends, and co-workers came out to watch as the non-commissioned officer sword was passed from Staff Sgt. Jose Martinez to Sgt. 1st Class Robert White. Although the NCO sword is no longer part of an NCO's equipment, it is used in ceremonies to symbolize the transfer of responsibility for the unit's Soldiers to new hands. It reminds the Soldiers that the new detachment sergeant is responsible for order and discipline in the unit, and it reminds the sergeant of his responsibility to care for his troops.

In his farewell speech, Martinez said that it saddened him to leave the unit, where he found many friends and mentors both American and German over the four years he was assigned to USAMMCE. Martinez moves on to his new assignment at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to work as an optical laboratory specialist.