Western Regional Dental Command welcomes Shakespeare as new leader

Colonel R. Craig Shakespeare assumed command of the Western Regional Dental Command from Col. Thomas S. MacKenzie in a ceremony July 23 at Watkins Field.

In front of formations of Soldiers from Alaska, Fort Irwin, Calif. and Fort Lewis Dental Activities; and the Presidio of Monterey and Fort Richardson Dental Clinic commands, the colonels passed the flag, symbolizing a new command for the Western Region.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to be able to participate in a ceremony that recognizes two outstanding dental officers,” said Col. M. Ted Wong, commander of U.S. Army Dental Command and reviewing officer for the ceremony.

Wong began by thanking MacKenzie for all of his work and leadership during his tenure as the WRDC commander.

“I want to personally congratulate and thank you, Tom, and the entire Western Regional Dental Command for all you’ve done for Soldiers and Soldier readiness,” Wong said. “We continue to be an Army at war, and your leadership combined with the determined efforts of your staff and clinic personnel have made significant contributions to increasing dental readiness, preparing (2nd Infantry Division) Soldiers for deployment and resetting returning Soldiers.”

Wong listed MacKenzie’s accomplishments while at Fort Lewis, then wished him luck in his next assignment at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Wong then welcomed Shakespeare and expressed confidence in the new commander’s abilities.

“It is reassuring to know that there is another talented and capable commander ready to take Tom’s place,” he said. “(Col. Shakespeare) comes to this assignment with the right experience, leadership skills, education and dedication to meet this unit’s mission.”

Shakespeare comes to Fort Lewis from Fort Bragg, N.C. where he commanded USA DENTAC. Prior to his assignment at Bragg, Shakespeare completed several overseas assignments, including two deployments to Kuwait; one in 2003 with the 47th Combat Support Hospital out of Fort Lewis in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and one in support of Desert Storm with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He also commanded USA DENTAC-Japan and served at Officer in Charge at the Camp Carroll Dental Clinic in Waegwan and the Camp Walker Dental Clinic in Taegu, Korea.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Emirate of Kuwait. Shakespeare was awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit in 2001 and the “A” Proficiency Designator in Comprehensive Dentistry by the Surgeon General.

“I’m just glad to be home and to be able to have this opportunity,” Shakespeare said in his remarks. “Our vision in the command is going to be simple: the region will focus on the readiness of Soldiers in this projection platform. Ready will be our mantra.”

Prior to the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commanding general of I Corps and Fort Lewis, awarded MacKenzie the Legion of Merit.