Baker takes support company command

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | Capt. Karen Baker took command of a forward support company for 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers at a change of command ceremony at Forward Operating Base Paliwoda near Balad, Iraq, June 15.  

06.19.2006

Story by Spc. Paul Harris 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Capt. Karen Baker took command of a forward support company for 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers at a change of command ceremony at Forward Operating Base Paliwoda near Balad, Iraq, June 15.

The company guidon was passed from Maj. Siegfried Ullrich, outgoing commander, Forward Support Company F, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, to Lt. Col. Jeffrey Martindale, commander, 1-8 CAB. Martindale then ceremoniously presented the guidon to Capt. Karen Baker, commander, Company E, 64th Brigade Support Battalion attached to 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, signifying the change of command.

"Now the Workhorse guidon is entrusted to another great leader," Martindale said. "Capt. Baker brings a new energy and spirit to this outstanding company and through her leadership and focus on the basics will take this company to the next level."

It was Baker's attention to detail as 64th Brigade Support Battalion's adjutant that caught the attention of Col. Brian D. Jones, commander, 3rd HBCT, who appointed her to the position.
"Her performance as a staff officer in the 64th BSB was very strong," Jones said. "She is well grounded in the basics and will do well commanding a company. I have tremendous confidence in her abilities."

Baker is this brigade's first female FSC commander, a position that she takes pride in achieving, not for the gender aspect but to command a vital part of the Iron Brigade's mission in Iraq.
The company has conducted 200 missions where they have transported 1 million gallons of fuel, 300,000 gallons of water and more than 300 detainees.

I attribute the success to the core command of the company, the lieutenants and the NCO's, Baker said. It has been they, along with Ullrich that has got me up to speed in the training, tactics and procedures.

Baker now commands a company with 230 Soldiers compared to eight Soldiers she had at the S-1 shop with 64th BSB.
Even though she was strict, she was fair and it was her approachable demeanor that made her successful as the S-1, said Sgt. Shannon Wyatt, human resource NCO, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 64th BSB, and she believes that will carry over to her new job.

It is this same quality one of her new Soldiers has seen in the short time Baker has been in charge of the company.
She is very interactive with the Soldiers, said Sgt. Renee Kobler, dietitian, Co. F, 1-8 CAB. Whether it is just to chit chat or go over safety procedures she is very eager and open to communicate with the NCOs and junior enlisted Soldiers.

Gender was never a factor for Jones" decision to appoint Baker to her new position. "We place the most qualified captains in the positions available," Jones said. "Command of an FSC is not a gender coded position. If she's qualified, why not?"

It is the opportunities that are now available to women in today's Army that gives hope to Soldiers like Wyatt.
You read about in news articles and see it on TV but for me to know and work with the woman it is amazing to me, Wyatt said. It gives me admiration and says there is possibility for me out there.

• Date Taken: 06.19.2006
• Date Posted: 06.19.2006 11:38
• Story ID: 6846