June 18 was a big day for the Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe. Not only did a new commander come on board, but the unit also received two prestigious awards to boot.

Before Lt. Col. Lawrence Burns accepted the unit colors during a change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne, outgoing commander Lt. Col. Douglas Galuszka announced that the unit had received the Army Superior Unit Award, as well as the Voluntary Protection Program Star Site safety award. WTB-E is the only Warrior Transition Unit in the U.S. Army Medical Command to receive those awards, and only the eighth MEDCOM unit of any kind to receive the Star Site Award, said Col. Scott Ehnes, Europe Regional Medical Command acting chief of staff.

The WTB-E provides mission command, comprehensive health services and multidisciplinary transition support to wounded, ill and injured Soldiers across the U.S. Army Europe footprint. The goal is to promote readiness for the Soldiers and their families as they transition and reintegrate either back to the force or to the civilian community.

"The Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe is a unique organization, both in its mission and its location," Galuszka said. "The WTB-Europe is scattered over 14 different locations, from Mons, Belgium, across Germany and down to Vicenza, Italy. This makes our mission much more challenging to accomplish, but with our dedicated cadre and staff, we make this happen."

Galuszka next assignment will take him to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Burns comes to the ETB-E from Lousiana State University where he was professor of military science for the ROTC unit.

"I am excited to serve those who have served their nation," Burns said.