Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Welcomes New Command Sergeant Major
The ceremony marked the transition of enlisted leadership from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Omar Oquendo to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Bond.
Soldiers, Department of War civilians, local nationals employees, contractors, and members of the Landstuhl community attended the ceremony, along with distinguished guests including Brig. Gen. Mark Stackle, commanding general of Medical Readiness Command-Europe; Command Sgt. Maj. Kalani Kalili, MRC-Europe’s senior enlisted leader; Landstuhl Mayor Mattia De Fazio; Ramstein-Miesenbach Mayor Ralf Hechler; and Col. Warren Stewart, commander of LRMC. Family members and friends also gathered to bid farewell to the Oquendo and welcome Bond.
During his tenure, Oquendo served as a vital link between the command team and the hospital’s diverse staff of Soldiers, airmen, Department of War civilians, and local national employees.
He stated that we are that bridge home from the combat zone to their families.
Stewart emphasized that LRMC’s reputation as a sanctuary of survival is built by a diverse, total-force team.
“We have accomplished some amazing things, and every time, this team has stood up and risen to the challenge,” Stewart said. “And when I say team, I don't just mean the Soldiers. It’s the airmen, the local nationals, and the DoW civilians who truly make us who we are the legacy hospital, the place people come knowing they are going to survive. We are that critical bridge home from the combat zone back to their families.”
For Stewart, that reality hit home on his first day in command, which coincided with the high-stakes operational exercise, Midnight Hammer.
“That was the day I realized this wasn't just another hospital,” Stewart recalled. “It is the premier facility for combat casualty reception here in Europe. During this exciting year, we have done things I never thought were possible.”
Stewart credited much of that success and stability to the steady guidance of his senior enlisted advisor, Oquendo, who had already served at LRMC for a year when Stewart assumed command.
“Sgt. Maj. Oquendo understood the inner workings of this organization, which allowed for an incredibly smooth transition when I took command,” Stewart said.
That partnership and steady leadership would soon be tested by significant administrative and financial challenges.
“We entered one of the longest government shutdowns in history,” Stewart said. “We had civilian teammates who didn't know when their next paycheck was coming, and Soldiers dealing with the immense uncertainty of their own pay. But it was Oquendo's steady hand and reassuring presence that allowed us to navigate through it. I truly believe Landstuhl came out of that shutdown stronger than we entered it, because of the teams we built, the mutual relationships we forged, and the understanding that we were all in this together. I thank you for leading the way.”
That shared resilience was put to the test when the hospital was called upon to execute its core wartime mission on short notice.
“We rapidly expanded without warning, assimilating 165 service members into the facility before receiving combat casualties just 48 hours later,” Stewart recalled. “I was incredibly proud as we stood side-by-side at the emergency entrance watching the buses arrive. As they offloaded casualties from the latest conflict, we watched this team of professionals rise to the challenge once again.”
“Every commander knows that the heartbeat, discipline and soul of the unit resides with the senior enlisted leader,” Stewart said. “Wow, did I win the lottery, when I got here, Sgt. Maj., thanks for standing shoulder to shoulder with me.”
Oquendo thanked Chaplain Fowler, MRC – Europe command chaplain for the invocation and words of inspiration.
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this ceremony a success,” Oquendo said. “To the soldiers standing in formation before us, and to the LRMC legacy team and the crown jewel of military medicine, thank you.”
Turning his attention to the future of the command, Oquendo spoke about the continuity of military leadership.
“The mission continues and the Army keeps rolling along,” he said. “Today, we have the privilege of witnessing that continuity of responsibility transferred to Command Sgt. Maj. Bond. I have the utmost confidence that you are the right leader to carry this organization forward. I wish you, your family, and the legacy team continued success.”
For Oquendo, summarizing three decades of military service proved to be one of the most difficult moments of the day.
“There is a song by Brandon Lake that I’ve listened to many times, and its words have been resonating in my mind as I prepared for today,” Oquendo said referring to the song “Gratitude.” “Because how do you take 30 years of service three decades of people, places, challenges, successes, failures, deployments, late nights, early mornings, sacrifices, and memories – and somehow condense them into just a few minutes? I can’t. So, instead, I will focus on gratitude.”
Oquendo’s military journey began three decades ago when he left a small town in Puerto Rico to attend basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. During his 30-year career, he said he learned that military service was about more than a job or a uniform. It was a lesson in belonging, teamwork, and dedicating oneself to a mission larger than oneself.
“To my wife, Joyce, thank you,” Oquendo said . “You didn't just join me on that journey to my very first duty station; you stood by my side throughout my entire career, every step of the way.”
Holding back tears, Oquendo spoke about the sacrifices made by his family throughout his military career. He credited his faith with sustaining him and helping him understand his purpose and calling.
“As I think about the last 30 years, I am filled with nothing but gratitude,” said Oquendo. “Now, it’s time to return to Puerto Rico, back to the beaches where this journey first began, and simply enjoy life.”
Oquendo concluded his remarks by reflecting on his service to LRMC and the Army.
“This has been the honor of my life to service,” Oquendo said. “This will defend. LRMC Legacy 7 signing off.”
Bond opened his remarks with a lighthearted reference to the overcast German weather.
“I'll start by stating the obvious: This is definitely not Hawaii weather,” Bond joked, before addressing the distinguished guests. “I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of our distinguished visitors, Mrs. Joyce Oquendo, and our outstanding command teams. “
Bond also thanked the LRMC officers, non-commissioned officers, Soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines, Department of the Army and Defense Health Agency civilians, and local national employees.
“I especially want to recognize Landstuhl Mayor Mattia De Fazio and Ramstein-Miesenbach Mayor Ralf Hechler, as well as the physicians and healthcare administrators from across the Kaiserslautern Military Community,” Bond said. “Your enduring partnership is the true cornerstone of this hospital’s strength.”
Bond thanked Stewart for the trust he placed in him.
“I am honored to serve you as your command sergeant major,” Bond said. “As your senior enlisted advisor for this command, you will have my loyalty, candor, and full effort every day we share this formation together.”
Addressing his predecessor, Bond emphasized the lasting impact of Oquendo's leadership.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Oquendo, you leave this organization better than you found it and that is the only standard that truly matters for a command sergeant major,” Bond said. “Under your watch, Landstuhl remained ready and relentlessly focused on its people. You cared for our soldiers, staff, and families with the exact same intensity that you demanded for the mission. We honor your sacrifice, your service, and the high standards you set as we take the team forward into new horizons.”
For Bond, taking the senior enlisted reins at Landstuhl represents a significant commitment. For more than seven decades, LRMC has served as a medical center where the Army, joint force, and multinational allies entrust their wounded, their loved ones, and their hope. Today, it stands as the military’s largest hospital outside the United States and the only American College of Surgeons-verified Level II trauma center on foreign soil.
“Since 2001, more than 97,000 wounded, injured, and ill service members and coalition partners have passed through these very halls,” Bond said. “That incredible number stands as a testament to the scale of our mission and the legacy of life-saving care built by this team.”
Bond told the Soldiers, airmen, civilians, and local national employees of Landstuhl that he intends to learn the organization from the ground up.
“I came here to work,” Bond said. “Over the coming weeks, you will see me in your clinics, wards, barracks, and back offices. I will be asking questions not to micromanage, but to learn from you so I can better support you in your daily mission.”
“As your command sergeant major, I stand ready at the front to shield you and take the heat when needed but will also pull you aside in private for those tough, honest, heart-to-heart discussions that make us better,” Bond said. “To my family, I do not take you for granted. Thank you for your endless support and the sacrifices you make every day.
Bond closed with a message reflecting LRMC’s commitment to its mission and people: “Combat-ready care. Strong medicine. Self-less service. This We'll Defend. Legacy 7, signing on.”
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