Force Master Chief (FORCM) Hosea Smith Jr. relieved FORCM Terry J. Prince as Navy Medicine's force master chief and director of the Hospital Corps during a change of charge ceremony at the Defense Health Headquarters March 24.

Vice Adm. Forrest Faison, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, presided over the ceremony as staff witnessed the change of charge.

"It's been an incredible time of change for Navy Medicine and no matter what, Force Master Chief Prince was always there for our Sailors and their families," said Faison. "His career is proof of his service and commitment to others."

As the 14th director of the Hospital Corps, FORCM Prince represented more than 30,000 hospital corpsmen, ensuring they received the proper training to provide Sailors, Marines and families around the globe the best care our nation can offer.

"I want you all to remember that the force of Navy Medicine is the Sailors of Navy Medicine" said Prince. "Hospital corpsmen are the ones who help us win wars and continue to protect Sailors and Marines so they can complete the mission."

Prince will retire from the Navy March 31 after 31 years of service in a ceremony aboard Battleship Wisconsin, a maritime museum in Norfolk, Virginia.

Smith assumed the role as the enlisted leader of Navy Medicine and director of the Hospital Corps following the ceremonial "passing of the cutlass" from Prince.

"I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to step-up and serve as force master chief," said Smith. "However, this is not about me, it's about everyone else I have [had] the honor to represent in this position."

Smith is now serving as the 15th Navy Medicine force master chief. He previously served as the command master chief at Navy Medicine West.

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

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