"This is a time honored tradition, and I couldn't be happier and prouder with the selection of my successor in General Caravalho, he's a great soldier and army medic," says Major General James Gilman.

Gilman served as a commander at Fort Detrick since 2009, and the ceremony also marks his retirement from the Army.

"Major General Gilman was a fantastic leader for us for the last three and a half years and he will be surely missed," says Richard Starrs, Chief of Staff.

Caravalho was formerly the Commanding General of the Northern Regional Medical Command.

His medical specialty training includes internal medicine, nuclear medicine, and cardiology.

"General Baravalho has a great reputation, we're all excited to work for him and what he'll bring to the command," says Starrs.

So, what exactly will his responsibilities be in his new role?

"Basically that army regulation states, that the commander is responsible for everything that the unit does, and does not do here," says Jim Shaheen, the Operations Planner for the unit.

A job Gilman says he's confident will get done, and one he's happy to have had the privilege of filling.

"This is a great way to finish up those 35 years. For 35 years, I've gone to work everyday and worked with people I've cared about a great deal and it's been a wonderful life," says Gilman.