The Fox Army Health Center would like to extend our warmest welcome to our new Commander, COL William Darby.

Colonel Darby enlisted in the United States Army in 1984 and served as a biological research assistant (01H). While assigned to Fort Detrick, MD he was the principal investigator for numerous CBRNE and entomology related medical research projects.

In 1988 he received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps as an Environmental Science Officer. His initial assignment was as the Chief, Environmental Health for Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC. He served as the Preventive Medicine Officer for 7th SFG(A) from 1990 to 1993 with several deployments to Central and South America.

Colonel Darby assumed command of the LC Detachment, 5th Preventive Medicine Unit, South Korea in 1993. He led the unit through its transition to become the 38th Medical Detachment (Sani). His unit successfully made this transition while supporting 54 US military installations and several regional deployment exercises.

Upon his return to the US in 1994, he became the Chief, Field Preventive Medicine Division, U.S. Center for Health Promotion Preventive Medicine, Direct Support Activity – West. During his tenure he developed and implemented the concept to provide preventive medicine and force health protection training and support to field deployable preventive medicine assets prior to deployment. In 1999, Colonel Darby was assigned to the United States Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, TX, where he served as an instructor in the Environmental Quality Branch and as an Adjunct Professor for the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance where he taught courses in environmental health, sanitation, public health, and humanitarian assistance.

Colonel Darby served as the Command Preventive Medicine Officer for US Special Operations Command from 2001 to 2004. He was responsible for developing and implementing force health protection guidance, policy, tactics, and procedures for 50,000 Joint Special Operations forces. During this time he also deployed to Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

He then served as the Command Force Health Protection Officer for US Central Command from 2004 to 2006. He was responsible for the health of over 250,000 joint and coalition personnel from 26 member nations deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). He deployed to Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, Bahrain, and the Horn of Africa in support of these missions.

In May 2006, Colonel Darby arrived at US Army North, where he served as the Chief of Environmental and Occupational Health Operations and Deputy Surgeon, responsible for coordinating the US Army’s medical role in Homeland Defense and DoD Support of Civilian Authorities. He deployed as the Joint Task Force Surgeon in support of Hurricanes GUSTAV and IKE supporting the states of Louisiana and Texas, respectively.

Colonel Darby was most recently assigned to the AMEDDC&S as the Chief, Concepts and Requirements Division, Directorate of Combat and Doctrine Development, Fort Sam Houston, TX. He was responsible for the development, integration and management of Army Health Systems concepts, capabilities and requirements in support of Unified Land Operations by envisioning, designing, developing and evaluating battlefield medical doctrine, organizations and equipment across the entire spectrum of DOTMLPF.

Colonel Darby’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Bemidji State University, a Master of Environmental Policy and Management in Hazardous Materials Management from the University of Denver and an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Geneva. His military education and training includes: AMEDD Executive Skills Course, Advanced Force Management School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, AMEDD Officer Advanced Course, Ranger Course, Jumpmaster Course, Air Assault Course, Basic Airborne Course and AMEDD Officer Basic Course.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with five oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with four oak leaf cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster), Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge and Canadian Parachutist Badge.

Colonel Darby holds the 9A Proficiency Designator and is currently credentialed as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist by the National Environmental Health Association and is a Diplomate in the American Academy of Sanitarians.