203rd Battalion changes command

The 203rd Brigade Support Battalion changed command Jan. 11 at Kefurt Gym, with Lt. Col. Monica Burnhauser replacing Lt. Col. William Marks.

Col. Peter Jones, the reviewing officer, welcomed Burnhauser to the “Eagle” Battalion family.

“(The battalion) has maintained the reputation as a logistical powerhouse,” Jones said. “And I have no doubt that given your phenomenal credentials and wealth of experience that you’ll continue and keep them soaring.”

Burnhauser is a graduate of U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, where she received a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Study in 2005. She was assigned to the U.S. Transportation Command until 2009 and has deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan. After her deployment, she was the foreign exchange officer with the 104th Logistical Support Brigade until 2010.

Burnhauser said she pledged not to take the responsibilities entrusted to her as commander lightly and the battalion will continue to provide quality support to the brigade.

Marks said Burnhauser and her husband, Wayne, were the right choice for commanding the oldest and most decorated support battalion.

“Train them hard, treat them with respect and they will truly move mountains if you direct them to,” Marks said.

Jones said because of Marks’ phenomenal knowledge of the logistical system and the Soldiers’ drive and pride, the battalion not only shaped the logistical template across U.S. Division-South in Iraq, it also set the standards for others to follow.

“Lt. Col. Bill Marks led the 203rd to the latest chapter in their long and distinguished history with care, compassion, professionalism and rigid enforcement of standards that made the Eagle battalion successful,” Jones said.

Marks served as the battalion executive officer for 203rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom III and most recently as the battalion commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom VII/Operation New Dawn.

“The main reason we are so successful is because of the incredible Eagle Soldiers that are made up of Scorpions, Outlaws, the Mighty Wolf Pack, and the Painkillers you see before you,” he said. “They were the ones actually shouldering the load and doing all of the heavy work. They did it with a sense of purpose and they did it with a sense of urgency.”

Photo credit: Spc. Erik Anderson

203 BSB.jpg: Col. Pete Jones hands the unit colors to Lt. Col. Monica Burnhauser as she takes command of the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion. Burnhauser was previously with the 104th Logistical Support Brigade in England.

This story was originally published January 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM with the headline "203rd Battalion changes command."