By Patricia Deal, CRDAMC Public Affairs
FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas—The 7244th Medical Support Unit assumed Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center’s mission to provide deployment medicine services at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 4.
Lt. Col. Nicollette Dennis, commander of the 7244th MSU, from Mount Carmel, Tennessee assumed responsibility for the CRDAMC mission from Lt. Col. Jarvis Darensburg, commander of the 7210th MSU, who will take the unit back to its home station in San Antonio, Texas.
MSUs are Army Reserve units mobilized for a year to conduct CRDAMC’s deployment/redeployment medical services. The unit provides a variety of screening processes such as periodic health assessments, immunizations, lab services, health reviews and behavioral health services to ensure thousands of deploying and redeploying personnel are physically and mentally fit.
Col. Michael Franco, CRDAMC’s deputy commanding officer, praised the Soldiers from the 7210th for their efforts over the past year in successfully screening, processing and clearing more than 57,000 active duty, National Guard, Army Reserve and civilian personnel for world-wide deployment missions.
“Although you were small in number, you made a big impact on the mission. You did amazing work in your short time,” Franco said. “Your individual commitment to the mission required some sacrifice up front, placing the collective needs of the organization above your own, which you did willingly. This type of unit cohesion is what makes a team work, what makes the 7210th work and what makes CRDAMC work.”
Franco challenged Dennis and the 7244th Soldiers to continue the mission.
“It’s a tough mission, balancing your professional and military life with your personal life. I am humbled by your sacrifice and commitment,” Franco said. “You’ve been told what you’re supposed to do. You’ve seen what you’re supposed to do. Now it’s time for you to just do it. I am confident you will achieve success.”
