Missouri Guard Engineer Company gets new commander

Outgoing 294th Engineer Company commander Capt. George Binger passes the unit guidon to battalion commander Col. Gregory Fritz, who then passes the flag to new unit commander Capt. Matthew Brown (left) to conclude the assumption of command. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Quick/Missouri National Guard)

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

CARTHAGE, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard's 294th Engineer Company, headquartered in Carthage, ushered in a new commander, with Capt. Matthew Brown assuming command from Capt. George Binger.

"I couldn't be more excited to be in this position and I'm grateful for this tremendous opportunity to lead the soldiers in the 294th," said Brown. "Being a company commander is the goal I have had since I decided to become an officer. For most officers, company command time is the pinnacle of our success and it's what we look forward to the most - it certainly is for me."

The unit's change of command was formally recognized in a ceremony in August at Camp Crowder in Neosho, following a busy summer of state emergency duty and overseas annual training.

In June, the unit spent three weeks in Germany doing construction work at the Hohenfels Joint Maneuver Readiness Training Center. Troops installed culverts, worked on erosion control and road improvements and constructed a new Chinook heliport. Soldiers had the vision to completely re-configure the site and changed equipment utilization and earthwork operations. Those efforts saw the 294th out-produce other units by 30 percent, said outgoing commander Binger, a resident of Lees Summit.

"The Germany annual training came at a very good time for many soldiers, but the worst for others. We left for Germany just one week after completing our service as part of the response to the Joplin tornado," said Binger, who is now the Guard training site manager at Camp Clark in Nevada, Mo.

"The Soldiers in the 294th have been very resilient. They love their community. They enjoy being part of the National Guard. Their achievements and work ethic are a tremendous reflection on them as individuals, as well as their communities and families," Binger added.

For his part, Ozark resident Brown intends to make the position his own, while respecting the commander who led before him.

"The company right now is operating very well, and like any new commander, there are things I'd like to change that reflect my command philosophy and support the battalion commander's vision as well. Capt. Binger has done a very good job of maintaining a high standard within the company and I hope to carry that on," Brown said.

"Matt will do an outstanding job. He's very sharp and energetic, so I expect the 294th will continue to excel and improve in many areas under his leadership," said Binger.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog

Following a formal assumption of command ceremony, commanders flank a military vehicle at Camp Crowder in Neosho, Mo. From left, incoming 294th Engineer Company commander Capt. Matthew Brown; 203rd Engineer Battalion commander Col. Gregory Fritz; 35th Engineer Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Stuenkel; outgoing commander Capt. George Binger. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Quick/Missouri National Guard)