United States Military Entrance Processing Command welcomed a new commander at a Nov. 13 change of command ceremony.

Navy Capt. Stuart C. Satterwhite assumed command, succeeding U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kathy J. Maloney, who is retiring.

Satterwhite previously served as USMEPCOM’s Western Sector commander. Before that, he was assigned as director of the Total Force Manpower Division, Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Fla.

Stephanie P. Miller, newly-installed director of accession policy in the office of the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy, officiated. In her remarks, Miller emphasized the mission and importance of processing applicants into the armed forces.

“Although Col. Maloney and I have only had the opportunity to work together for a short time, I’ve come to know her as a highly efficient and highly effective member of the accessions team who lives her motto – ‘Mission First, People Always,’” Miller said.

“Col. Maloney arrived at USMEPCOM in March 2013, originally in the role of Western Sector commander,” she continued. “Just three months later, showing great adaptability, she was installed as the USMEPCOM commander. She was an outstanding choice for the job and has served admirably in that role.

“As a key member of the accessions triad, Col. Maloney’s mission-focused leadership was instrumental in qualifying and processing more than 568,000 new members for the armed forces, with more than 750,000 full physical exams conducted and more than 952,000 aptitude tests administered throughout the United States and Puerto Rico,” Miller said.

After thanking Maloney and saying farewell, Miller turned to welcoming Satterwhite.

“Capt. Satterwhite, we welcome you and your family to the Department of Defense accession community,” she said. “As you go about the nation’s business of ensuring the quality of tomorrow’s soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and Coast Guardsmen, I challenge you to lead USMEPCOM well and to do honor and justice to the leader you relieve today and to the men and women you will lead into the future.”

In her remarks, Maloney reflected on how hard it was to make the decision to retire at this time and stressed the importance of the command’s mission.

“This is probably the most difficult decision I have made in my adult life,” she said, “to not only depart command early from an extremely rewarding assignment and a great group of professionals, but also to take off my uniform after more than 28 years of military service. I’d also like to thank the Office of the Secretary of Defense leadership for the opportunity to command a great organization entrusted with an extremely important mission.

“The strength of our nation relies on the strength of our military forces,” Maloney said. “And that force relies on a steady stream of new military members who pass through the doors of our 65 MEPS. During my tour, I have witnessed that the strength of the processing mission is well grounded in the nearly 3,000 members of our USMEPCOM team. To each and every one of you I say, thank you for helping keep our nation strong. Semper Fi.”

Satterwhite, who assumed command of Western Sector less than a month earlier, contemplated how quickly events sometimes occur.

“It seems like only yesterday I had the opportunity to address the Western Sector team,” he said. “At our National Training Seminar, I had the opportunity to address our commanders and senior enlisted leaders and share a few words with them. Today, I have the opportunity to speak to the rest of the team.

“My passion for this work runs deep,” Satterwhite said. “The work we do here at USMEPCOM keeps the All Volunteer Force a reality. Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers entrust us with their most precious treasures – their sons and daughters – as they begin their service to our nation.

“At the headquarters, we have the unique opportunity to mold the policies and standards that lead us into the future,” he said. “As we embark on that journey today, I challenge you to reflect upon what you have been doing. Look deep and consider ‘How could I have done that better. Could I have made that process better for that son or daughter entrusted to us?’”

USMEPCOM, with headquarters in Building 3400, is a joint command staffed with representatives from all five branches of service and Department of the Army civilian employees.

The command, through its 65 military entrance processing stations, determines if applicants are qualified for enlistment in the armed forces based on aptitude, medical and conduct standards set by the Department of Defense and the services.