Adams to lead Army Veterinary Corps

Colonel has commanded detachments in Iraq as well as research institute
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Please note: the online version of this document contains corrections. Corrected text is shown in red below.

 

Colonel Timothy K. Adams
Colonel Adams

My selection to serve as Veterinary Corps chief is both an honor and a responsibility, to lead over 600 extraordinary Veterinary Corps officers.

—COLONEL TIMOTHY K. ADAMS

 

Colonel Timothy K. Adams will succeed Brig. Gen. Michael B. Cates as chief of the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps within the next few months.

As chief of the Veterinary Corps, Col. Adams also will receive a promotion to brigadier general. The AVMA advocated for the 2002 legislation that restored the general star to the corps.

"My selection to serve as Veterinary Corps chief is both an honor and a responsibility, to lead over 600 extraordinary Veterinary Corps officers," Col. Adams said. "They are working around the world to protect our nation and support our war fighters in over 100 countries—serving in assignments ranging from care of marine mammals to rebuilding agricultural economies, from protecting the food of our service members to basic research in the protection from diseases."

Colonel Adams' Army experience includes work in the Special Forces, public health, and research as well as leadership positions in garrison and operational locations. He has commanded three times—at the captain, lieutenant colonel, and colonel levels.

Most recently, Col. Adams commanded the Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. While commanding the 72nd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service), he led the first veterinary unit that deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in command of the 100th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service) (Small), he deployed to Iraq for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

Colonel Adams also is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He earned his veterinary degree from Purdue University in 1986.

"With his wide range of assignments and experiences, along with his depth of military and civilian education, Colonel Adams is clearly qualified and prepared to lead our versatile and vigilant U.S. Army veterinary team," Brig. Gen. Cates wrote in a message announcing his successor.

Colonel Adams noted that the Army has allowed him to grow professionally while also serving his country.

"The career opportunities the Army offered me are unparalleled, and I hope that current (veterinary) students and ... graduates who are looking to see the breadth of challenges and possibilities for their degree will look at what the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps has to offer," he said.

Corrections:

The words "within the next few months" were added to the first paragraph.

The original article inaccurately stated that Col. Adams was the first veterinarian to head the Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense.