Force Master Chief (SS/SW/FMF) Sherman E. Boss III, director of the Hospital Corps, retired in a change-of-charge ceremony at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Sept. 25.

Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED), presided over the ceremony.

"[Force Master Chief] Boss was the face of the entire Navy Medicine enlisted community and Hospital Corps. His hard work and sacrifice set the precedent for all Navy Medicine Sailors present and future," said Nathan.

Boss served as Navy Medicine's force master chief alongside Nathan from October 2011- September 2015.

Under his guidance, Navy Medicine created new opportunities for all enlisted Sailors by opening the Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program to Sailors and Marines allowing them to prepare for entry into medical school and eventual officer commission.

"Navy Medicine has and always will be my family. The men and women I've had the honor of representing over the last four years are truly remarkable. Seeing how our Corpsmen embody the value of Navy Medicine across the enterprise made this experience the highlight of my career," said Boss.

Force Master Chief (FMF/SW/AW) Terry J. Prince assumed the role as the enlisted leader of Navy Medicine and director of the Hospital Corps following the ceremonial passing of the cutlass from Boss.

"I am truly humbled to be in this position as the director of some of the best and brightest Sailors in the Navy - our Hospital Corpsmen. I promise to continue furthering Navy Medicine's mission by representing the entire force over the years to come," said Prince.

Prince is now serving as the 14th BUMED force master chief. He previously served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Defense Health Agency.

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.

For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/.