Following an Army career spanning more than three decades, Joseph Holland received induction into the Senior Executive Service ranks during a ceremony at the Fort Detrick Auditorium on March 11. Holland was recently appointed as the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command's new Deputy to the Commanding General – the first person in command history to hold this title.

"I am extremely glad to be here," said Holland in remarks during the ceremony. "I am focused forward as a Soldier for Life, and also towards the objectives of maximizing human potential, preventing injury to our Soldiers, and to enhancing survivability for the joint Warfighter."

Holland's address to the crowd was peppered with personal anecdotes from his lengthy service career as well as comments on his personal commitment to both the people and overall mission of the command. He comes to USAMRDC following a two-year stint as the first-ever permanent Deputy Chief of Staff at Army Futures Command, and as such is familiar with USAMRDC infrastructure and personnel. His new role is representative of a larger, command-wide effort to ensure all USAMRDC projects align with the highest priority needs of the Army and the Department of Defense. To that end, he will be tasked with supporting the overarching goals of Brig. Gen. Tony McQueen, Commanding General of USAMRDC and Fort Detrick. Chief among those objectives will be steering the command's transition to the Defense Health Agency, which is slated to occur later this year.

"Joe is the perfect person for this position, and he's going to do great things at MRDC," said McQueen, who delivered the event's opening remarks. "He's been here for over a month already with his sleeves rolled up, integrating himself into the command."

Holland was joined at the ceremony by his wife Laura and their four children: Julia, Andrew, Emma, and David – the latter two attending the event virtually. As a member of a military family himself, Holland – whose father Barry served in the Army for 29 years while his mother, Cindy, served as Army civilian Registered Nurse – made it clear his chief priority will be the people of USAMRDC and Fort Detrick.

"My charge is to be a positive example to our civilian enterprise, and to be a champion of our development and, also, a champion of our overall development and well-being," said Holland.