Regional Health Command-Atlantic (P) Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

Regional Health Command-Atlantic (P)

Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

9275 Doerr Rd., Bldg. 1221

Fort Belvoir, Va. 22060

571-231-5436

For Immediate Release

Story by Gigail Cureton, Regional Health Command-Atlantic (P) Public Affairs
Regional Health Command-Atlantic welcomes new enlisted leader

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia--Command Sgt. Maj. John Steed, Regional Health Command-Atlantic senior enlisted leader, transferred responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Brady, in a Change of Responsibility Ceremony Apr. 19 at the Regional Headquarters Building on Fort Belvoir in front of family, friends, and headquarters staff.

Steed ended his tour as the command sergeant major of the largest region in the Army Medical Command when he handed the organization colors to Brig. Gen. Ronald J. Place, RHC-A commanding general, symbolizing the relinquishment of responsibility as an important part of the command leadership team. Place then passed the colors to Brady, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility to a new command sergeant major. The command sergeant major is custodian of the unit colors and the principal advisor to the commander on all facets of the unit’s operation.

“John Steed is a leader,” said Place. “A leader like him has the confidence of the organization because he has proven, time and again, that he has the well-being of the command and its people at heart.”

“In short, he is a consummate professional,” continued Place. “He is a trustworthy confidant. He is a remarkable partner. He is a friend. John, this command will miss you and I will miss you”.

Steed assumed his role as the region’s command sergeant major while serving as the U.S. Army Element-South command sergeant major. During his tenure, Steed synchronized the regional Command Team’s efforts on the PEOPLE Campaign, which is the region’s effort to focus on returning to the basics and emphasizing three overarching areas: Taking care of ourselves (which includes Internal Operations), taking care of our patients, and taking care of each other. He is also credited with having a positive impact on this region through his engagement with the region’s noncommissioned officers.

“Prior to assuming my duties I heard that the regional staff was difficult to work with and moral was low,” said Steed. “Morale was low but not broken. The regional staff are by far the best staff I have every worked with. You are hardworking, caring, funny, and dedicated people. My time here would not have been successful without all of you. You are pillars of success in our vast AMEDD [Army Medical Department] mission,” Steed added.

Steed will become the new command sergeant major at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia. He served as the region’s command sergeant major since August 2015 and enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1986 before entering active duty a year later. In addition to the Regional Health Command-Atlantic, Steed’s other senior leadership assignments include: Chief Clinical Sergeant Major, Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Chief Clinical Sergeant Major, 44^th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Operations Sergeant Major, 44^th Medical Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; U.S. Army Element-South Command Sergeant Major, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Brady enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard in 1982 and joined the active force in 1987. Prior to his new assignment, he was the command sergeant major for the Warrior Transition Command. His other senior leadership assignments include: Western Regional Medical Command Sergeant Major, Fort Lewis, Washington; and Weed Army Community Hospital Command Sergeant Major, Fort Irwin, California. Other assignments include: Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; 45^th Forward Support Battalion, Gelnhausen, Germany; 704^th Main Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado; and 62^nd Medical Brigade, 520^th Area Support Medical Company, Fort Lewis, Washington. He served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In his first words as the region’s new senior enlisted leader, Brady committed to giving the region nothing less than his best by supporting Army Medicine’s important readiness and health care mission. Brady also committed to continuing to ensure that the noncommissioned officer corps is as equally competent to perform their mission is field units and in clinical settings.

“Today we are going to save somebody’s life. We are helping to bring a new life into this world. And today somewhere in our region we will be there showing our compassion as somebody loses their fight,” said Brady. “We make a difference in people’s lives and those who are entrusted in our care each and every single day.” He ended with these words: “I am Matthew Brady. I am a Soldier. I am a combat medic and I am your command sergeant major.”

To view the ceremony, visit: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyRHCAtlantic/.

Regional Health Command-Atlantic (Provisional), RHC-A (P), is the largest of Army Medicine’s four regional health commands, with medical, dental, and public health facilities from Wisconsin to Puerto Rico. RHC-A (P) provides Army units within its area of responsibility support through the provision of trained and ready medical personnel. The Region’s Active Component Soldiers, Army Civilians and Reserve Component Soldiers form a powerful medical team determined to keep Army Forces ready, fit and healthy.