Army Reserve medical unit in Germany has a new commander

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - The Medical Support Unit - Europe has a new commander.

Army Reserve Col. Daniel F. Bohmer assumed command from Army Reserve Col. Bidemi Y. Olaniyi-Leyimu during a May 6 outdoor ceremony on Daenner Kaserne.

The MSU-E is an Army Reserve unit under the command of the 7th Mission Support Command, which has Soldiers with 29 medical specialties plus administrative professionals.

"We have a great commander who is leaving," said Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Steven W. Ainsworth, the 7th MSC commanding general. "She'll move on to great things."

Ainsworth listed some of the unit's accomplishments during Olaniyi-Leyimu's command tenure for the assembled group of family members, Soldiers, guests and allies from the German military.

They included increasing the unit's personnel strength to 175 percent of what is required, instituting a program of quarterly medical readiness events for the 7th MSC that helped boost the entire command's medical readiness to over 85 percent.

He also praised Olaniyi-Leyimu for her efforts during U.S. Army Europe's Austere Challenge in January and February.

"She has done great things here," Ainsworth said. "She's going to be missed."

He praised her honesty, passion and compassion.

"I guess, today, my speech is basically, 'Thank you,'" he concluded.

In her speech, Olaniyi-Leyimu praised the Soldiers of the MSU-E, saying they took on missions the unit wasn't designed to, and took part in military exercises across Europe and Africa, including countries like Montenegro, Spain, Poland, Chad and Germany.

"Without a doubt, being your commander has given me far more than I have given you," she said. "The MSU will always have a special place in my heart."

Olaniyi-Leyimu joined the military in 2000 after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

"I have received blessings beyond my imagination," she said.

Commanding the MSU has been the greatest accomplishment of her career, she added. She moves on to another assignment at a unit in the continental United States.

Bohmer thanked Col. Olaniyi-Leyimu for leaving him the unit in a position of strength.

"I'm deeply honored to be afforded the privilege of being able to stand before you this morning," he said.

Bohmer said he wants to build on the work of Olaniyi-Leyimu and the other previous commanders while looking forward to ongoing success.

"Let's get started," he said.