FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 5) -- Fort Belvoir Battalion Commander Lt. Col. R. Dwayne Bowyer relinquishes command to Lt. Col. Brian P. Zarchin during a change of command ceremony on Long Parade Field July 9 at 2 p.m.

After helping Fort Belvoir save $1.5 million, implementing multiple successful programs and serving thousands of Soldiers and Families, Bowyer moves on to his next assignment in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Bowyer's resume includes overseeing the development of the Fort Belvoir Warrior Combatives Training program, streamlining unit-to-unit communication, and setting up fitness programs to increase headquarters battalion Soldiers' physical training scores.

These career accomplishments saved the installation money and made Belvoir a better place to live, work and play for servicemembers and Families, according to Edward Milligan, Plans, Analysis and Integration Office management analyst who previously worked with Bowyer as the Headquarters Battalion executive officer.

Bowyer's approach to commanding Soldiers and civilians is inspired by seven words: "Proud to be here, ready to serve," a motto he learned years ago from a senior enlisted noncommissioned officer who helped him stay positive and smile through success and adversity.

Bowyer became emotional as he reflected on that motto and his time as commander of Belvoir's headquarters battalion.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to serve our nation," said Bowyer. "I wake up every day with the intent of making the day the best day it can be. If you dwell on negative things then you're not going to have that positive attitude. I always try to stay positive. I just feel very fortunate to wear this uniform and serve as the commander."

Bowyer said when he arrived at Fort Belvoir in 2010, his goal was to provide strong leadership to Soldiers and Families on post while building an Eagle-Team concept among his work force.

"We are the Eagle team so I came in with the vision revolved around team," Bowyer said. "Everything we do here is about supporting the garrison, the partner units and all the Soldiers, civilians and Family members, who live, work and play here on Fort Belvoir."

One of the biggest Eagle team efforts he oversaw was the growth of Belvoir's combatives program.

Bowyer built on the foundation of his predecessor, Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna, by adding two, level-three courses and a level-four course to the program and by helping move the training into a permanent facility, the Fort Belvoir Warrior Combatives Training Center.

Increasing the number of courses and dedicating a facility to training led to the U.S. Army Combatives School in Fort Benning, Ga., to formally recognize Belvoir's program as a hosting training center.

Belvoir instructors conducted the third-ever level-four course conducted outside of Fort Benning in March.

The Combatives program also hosts tournaments and sends teams to the U.S. Army Combatives Championship, according to Bowyer.

"We've had Soldiers who have come in here with no experience, never been punched or never been in any type of fight or scuffle in their lives and they find out 'Hey I got some skills and abilities.' The next thing you know, they're competing," Bowyer said. "It's just really rewarding to see Soldiers learn more about themselves and increase their confidence."

Renovation of the training center cost $800,000, but Bowyer said Belvoir has recouped that money, and saved more money, by avoiding paying for temporary duty trips for Soldiers who require training.

"He's spread combatives across the Military District of Washington and really embedded the Warrior Ethos and all the Soldiers that go to that class," said former Garrison Commander Col. John J. Strycula, who served as Bowyer's commander during his two-year tour.

Strycula said Bowyer was very helpful with executing events and carrying out missions.

Strycula credited Bowyer with creating the "Green Tab Network," an informal organization composed of battalion and company commanders on post.

Bowyer provided leaders from units, such as the 249th Engineer Battalion and Warrior Transition Battalion, with information on Army Community Services and other programs designed for Soldiers and Families.

Bowyer explained the term "Green Tab Network" comes from the old class "A" uniform Soldiers wore where those in leadership roles were identified by green tabs worn on their shoulders.

Through the "Green Tab Network," commanders shared ideas on how to better guide their units.

"They see him as an experienced leader, someone who they can sit down and talk to and use to handle challenges," Strycula said. "He brought separate organizations together as one unit and made them feel part of the garrison and part of the installation."

"It increased our awareness as tenant agencies," said Lt. Col. Reed Erickson, 12th Aviation Battalion commander. "We disseminated that information down to company commanders and first sergeants who informed our troops."

Erickson said the information helped his troops find programs for entertainment and to handle financial problems, among other issues.

"It allowed us to operate better," Erickson said.

Bowyer's helping hand didn't stop with leaders on post, as he was also committed to helping the community. Headquarters battalion participates in programs with its adopted school and community events such as Springfield Community Bridge Walk.

"In this day and age and time, with budget cuts and different things, we're going to rely more and more on these agencies and organizations outside the gates of our installations to continue to help us better serve our post population," Bowyer said.

Headquarters battalion was also very active with Fort Belvoir Elementary School, teaching children about flag etiquette and the importance of recognizing Veterans Day and Memorial Day, among other lessons.

"He was very willing to support our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math program and any other school initiative any way he could," said Joyce Matthews, FBES technology specialist. "We will truly miss Lt. Col. Bowyer and his lovely Family."

Milligan said the commander epitomizes what he calls "the three Es: Energy, Enthusiasm and Excellence."

Milligan explained Bowyer's energy pushed battalion Soldiers to increase PT scores overall and by 20 points in some cases. Bowyer's enthusiasm made Soldiers and civilians feel appreciated for their work. His excellence increased the battalion's standards and expectation for success.

Milligan said Bowyer used those three Es in a variety of areas that also helped the battalion.

"When a commander can lead by example in that way, it resonates through the whole organization. I really enjoyed working with him," Milligan said. "Even with 23 years of military experience, I learned a lot from him, which took me to the next level of being a leader and a manager."

Bowyer said he can't believe his two years at Belvoir have come and gone. He'll miss serving as the battalion commander and he leaves the Fort Belvoir community with a tip for handling any future adversity, and a personal message of gratitude.

"There are rough times in life, but if you continue to keep a positive attitude, do what's right when no one's looking and try to improve your situation every single day, then things will always turn up positive and hopefully in your favor," Bowyer said.

"Thanks for letting me be part of the team and I do appreciate all that they've done to support the Eagle Team," Bowyer said of the Belvoir community. "And hopefully I've been able to support them and give them as much as they have given me and my Family."