LTC DONNA R. WILLIAMS ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE 926TH ENGINEER BATTALION
The change of command ceremony was held at the Green Springs United States Army Reserve Center in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, 9 February 2008. It was presided over Colonel Craig Sanders, Commander 926th Engineer Brigade. LTC Williams assumed command from outgoing Battalion Commander LTC Ralph Hersey.
LTC Williams joins "the First Club" of outstanding African Americans who have succeeded is achieving what has not been done before. She is the first female to command the 926th Engineer Battalion. In attendance of this historical event for the unit were friends and family of both the incoming and outgoing commander and 926th unit soldiers. LTC Donna Williams has had a very impressive career with the Army. She has served in many positions of responsibilities. Her mother was all smiles as looked on as her daughter assumed command. Take a look at Herstory below.
LTC Donna Williams is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi. She obtained her commission through ROTC under the early commissioning program in 1986 from Jackson State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. LTC Williams also holds a Master of Business Administration Degree in Information Technology and Military Management from Touro University.
LTC Williams began her military career as an Army Reserve Soldier in the 412th Engineer Command where she served as a Civilian Engineer. In 1990 she entered the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program. LTC Williams' assignments in the AGR Program includes Operation Officer, 493rd Engineer Group, Dallas Texas; Operations Officer, 926th Engineer Battalion, Birmingham, Alabama; Commander, Company A, 411th Engineer Battalion, Maui, Hawaii; Executive Officer, 926th Engineer Battalion, Birmingham, Alabama; Engineer Organizational Integrator and Branch Chief, United States Army Reserve Command, Atlanta, Georgia.
Her military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Adjutant General Basic Course, the Senior Transportation Qualification Course, Combined Arms and Service Staff School (CAS3), the Army Force Management Qualification Course, and the Army Command General Staff College, LTC Williams has also completed the Army Logistics Management College Contracting Officers Representative Course.
Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Army Commendation Medal with 4 OLC, Army Achievement Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hour Glass and Mobilization Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon with numeral 6, Combat Action Badge, Army Superior Unit Award, and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineer Bronze deFluery Medal.
