Brunell Eager, Excited for New Position at USAMRDC

Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Brunell assumed responsibility as the new Command Sgt. Maj. for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command and Fort Detrick during an official ceremony on September 23. During his high-energy remarks to a crowd that included members of MRDC leadership, Brunell noted his excitement upon being assigned to the command, and was vocal about his desire to get started in his new role quickly.

"I am truly, truly honored to serve as the Command Sergeant Major at MRDC and Fort Detrick," said Brunell, who enlisted in the Army in 1991 and who has been settling into his position for the past several weeks. "I can't think of a better place to call home."

Brunell comes to USAMRDC after previously serving as the Command Sergeant Major at Regional Health Command – Europe, which is located in Sembach, Germany; notably, Brunell has spent more than half of his 31-year Army career on various assignments in the country. Originally hailing from New York, Brunell began his assignment at RHCE in 2020, serving at the Army's only forward-stationed regional health command during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his remarks to the crowd, Brig. Gen. Tony McQueen, Commanding General of USAMRDC and Fort Detrick, noted Brunell's accomplishments at RHCE during that time period as being integral to securing the overall health of the force – and, additionally, key to ensuring his continued growth as a leader.

"Command Sergeant Major Brunell brings a wealth of experience to this assignment," said McQueen, who noted he first met Brunell in 2015 during a previous assignment and has since kept a keen eye on his career and subsequent accomplishments. "I could not be more excited to have him help write the command's next chapter here at MRDC."

USAMRDC Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Brunell (left) speaks with USAMMDA commander Col. James Nuce (right) in the receiving line following his Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Detrick on September 23. (Photo Credit: Ramin A. Khalili, USAMRDC Public Affairs Office)

With his wife Stephanie in the audience, Brunell – who comes from a military family; his father served in Vietnam – stated his top goal at MRDC would be providing professional support and encouragement to the thousands of Soldiers, scientists and researchers working at Fort Detrick. Calling MRDC's medical mission crucial to the health of both the force and the Nation, Brunell promised to become an asset to the command and its personnel.

"When I think back on my career, I've been lucky to have leaders that allowed me to hone my technical skills while also expanding my capabilities as a Soldier," said Brunell, expounding upon the importance of both capacities. "We all fill a critical role that the Army needs to complete the mission."

Brunell steps into a role previously occupied by Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Laragione, who now serves as Command Sgt. Maj. at the Medical Center of Excellence in San Antonio, Texas.