In a time-honored Army custom, Col. (Dr.) Jerome L. Buller relinquished command of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command's (USAMRDC) U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) to Col. (Dr.) Mark E. Stackle during a change of command ceremony on July 21 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The event was hosted by Stackle's new commanding general, Brig. Gen. Michael J. Talley, Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and Fort Detrick, Maryland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Talley hosted the ceremony virtually to welcome Stackle and his family to his new assignment.

During his remarks, Talley commended Buller's family for their support and love.

"The Army is grateful for the many ways each of the four Buller women have supported Jerome so he could support the important work being done at the ISR," said Talley. "Thank you [Col. Buller] for the many ways in which you have led ISR during two challenging years. Thank you for giving nearly 36 years of service to the Army. I wish you a well-deserved retirement."

"Brigadier General Talley, thank your trust and confidence, and I sincerely appreciate your support and guidance," said Buller during his remarks. "It has been an honor to work with you once again. I have very fond memories of those long conversations we had working together at the Surgeon General's Office. Now, as our U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Commanding General, you and your staff have always been there for the ISR Team and me."

Buller is retiring from the Army and is looking forward to spending time with his family before he moves on to the next chapter in his life.

"As I depart, the ISR gains a great leader in Colonel Mark Stackle," added Buller. "He is an experienced clinician, operationally-savvy Soldier, and a trusted leader. I have total trust, faith and confidence that his fresh ideas and enthusiasm will bring this organization to new heights. All of you at the ISR can feel confident that you are getting an outstanding, new commander."

Said Stackle after taking command of the ISR, "Colonel Buller, it is clear to me that you have made a tremendously positive impact on the ISR over the past two years and the organization is better for it. "The members of the ISR Team stand ready to meet the challenges of the future as we continue to answer the ISR's mission to 'optimize combat casualty care.'"

Stackle's most recent tour was a one-year assignment at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where he earned his Master's degree in Strategic Studies.

"Since its founding, the ISR has consistently risen to address our nation's most complex challenges from revolutionizing the treatment of burn patients, to achieving the highest survivability rates in history during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to its current efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic," added Stackle. "The members of the ISR Team stand ready to meet the challenges of the future as we continue to answer the ISR's mission. I am excited to be part of this team, knowing together that we will 'Forge the Future.'"

Talley completed his remarks by welcoming Stackle and his family to the ISR and San Antonio.

"Colonel Stackle is lucky to have such a fantastic staff. I thank all of you for the service you give to the Army, for your dedication to this command and the Nation," he said. "Colonel Stackle is a genuine leader and I am confident that together this team will continue to optimize combat casualty care under his leadership."