Passing the Guidon: A Ceremony of Leadership Transition at USU's Change of Command
USU's Brigade Commander Army Col. Patrick Donahue passes the guidon to Army Col. Albert Kinkead, symbolizing a change of command and celebrating Col. Donahue's distinguished 30-year career, as the university looks forward to a new chapter under Col. Kinkead's leadership.
 |
USU's Brigade Commander Army Col. Patrick Donahue relinquished command to Army Col. Albert Kinkead on Dec. 1 at the Change of Command ceremony in the university's Rice Hall. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU) |
December 5, 2023 by Ian Neligh
During a ceremony steeped in military tradition the Uniformed Services University’s (USU) Brigade Commander Army Col. Patrick Donahue relinquished his command to Army Col. Albert Kinkead on Dec. 1.
Donahue passed the brigade’s guidon to Kinkead in a symbolic act during the Change of Command ceremony in the university’s Rice Hall to become USU’s top military leader. Donahue’s retirement from the Army was also celebrated during the event, attended by several hundred USU faculty, staff, and students, as well as family and friends.
Kinkead, as the new brigade commander, will oversee more than 1,500 uniformed personnel assigned or attached to USU.
 |
Brigade Commander Army Col. Patrick Donahue's retirement from the Army was also celebrated during the event, attended by several hundred USU faculty, staff, and students, as well as family and friends. (Photo credit: Sgt. Cory Long, USU) |
The university was originally established by an act of Congress on Sept. 21, 1972, as the Nation’s only Federal health sciences university. The USU Brigade was formed in 1990. Since then, the University has had 13 Brigade Commanders.
“Now, as we welcome Col. Albert Kinkead to lead the Brigade, we look forward to a new chapter of growth and success,” Woodson said. “Col. Kinkead brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership. His dedication to the values of the uniformed services and commitment to the development of our future military medical professionals make him the ideal candidate to guide the Brigade into the future.”
Before coming to USU, Kinkead was the Battalion Commander at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and served at a host of assignments including as the executive assistant to the Deputy Director of the Defense Health Agency, Deputy Commander for Administration for the Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic in Carlisle, Penn., and as the Executive Officer of Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Liberty, N.C. Kinkead is board certified in healthcare administration and is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Woodson said the day not only marked the transition of leadership at the university but also the culmination of Donahue’s distinguished 30-year career in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps.
“We gather here to bid farewell to Col. Patrick Donahue, a leader of exceptional caliber, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our institution,” Woodson said.
Donahue graduated from West Virginia University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental protection. A distinguished military graduate of the Army ROTC program, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.
Over the years, Donahue’s assignments included roles at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, the 1st Infantry Division in Germany, the 44th Medical Command (Airborne) at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), and the Pentagon.
Donahue deployed twice to Bosnia in 1997 and 2001 and to Iraq in 2003 and 2004 in key staff and leadership roles. His strategic contributions extended to his role as a training with industry research fellow, and he served as an environmental science and engineer staff officer at the Pentagon.
 |
USU President Dr. Jonathan Woodson (right) acted as the Change of Command's officiating officer, saying Col. Donahue was a steadfast leader, and displayed unwavering dedication to the mission of the university. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU) |
In 2015, Donahue assumed the role of Professor of Military Science for the Georgetown University Army ROTC program, followed by a fellowship at The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Before coming to USU, Donahue held the position of Brigade Commander at Public Health Command-Atlantic, Fort George G. Meade from 2018 to 2020.
“His legacy is one of dedicated service, strategic leadership, and significant contributions to military public health,” said Woodson. “We wish Col. Donahue and his family the very best in their future endeavors.”
