ANSBACH, Germany – After nearly 41 years – or more than 15,000 days – of service, Gerald Bauer, budget officer at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach’s Resource Management Office, will retire this month.
Bauer, a German local national (LN) employee, leaves behind a legacy of expertise in U.S. Army fiscal processes, particularly during fiscal year-end activities.
Col. Aaron Southard, USAG Ansbach commander, commended Bauer during a recent hail and farewell ceremony.
“Today, we recognize and thank one of our most dedicated employees as he transitions to the next chapter of his life,” Southard said.
As Bauer approaches retirement, we asked him to reflect on his career and share some of his most memorable experiences.
Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I am from Untermosbach, a little village south of Herrieden. I am married to my wife Karin and we two grown children, Linda and Niklas.
What do you do in your job?
As the budget officer, I am responsible for programming, budgeting, controlling, and administering the use of appropriated funds. This includes authorizing the use of funds by program directors to accomplish approved programs. I serve as the principal advisor to the resource management officer (RMO) on all budgetary matters.
I provide guidance, direction, and oversight on all phases of budget formulation and manage the overall budgetary system. I analyze budget data to ensure compliance with prescribed laws, policies, and regulations.
Additionally, I supervise a team of employees engaged in budget development and execution. I ensure continuous review and monitoring of fund allocations and limitations to minimize violations of financial laws.
Where did you start and what milestones did you achieve in your career?
I began my career on Jan. 1, 1984, as a supply clerk at the Directorate of Engineering and Housing (DEH), Housing Division, in the Nuremberg Military Community. I also held positions as a supply clerk at the Regional Supply Support Activity (RSSA) and as a budget analyst in the Directorate of Resource Management (DRM) until 1993, when I joined the restructured 99th Area Support Group in Nuremberg.
In November 1993, I transitioned to DRM Ansbach, which was under the control of the 98th Area Support Group (ASG) in Würzburg at the time. Since October 2006, I have served as the resource management officer for the standalone U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach.
Why do you believe your work is important?
Money rules the world. No matter whether we talk about managing stock market or your own household budget. If you spend your money wisely and efficiently, you will achieve more.
What was your biggest accomplishment?
I established the Resource Management (RM) cell in Ansbach under the 98th ASG Würzburg DRM after the closure of Nuremberg. Given the geographically dispersed installations—Würzburg, Bamberg, Schweinfurt, and Ansbach—the DRM director decided to implement RM cells.
The Ansbach team consisted of two budget analysts and one manpower analyst, managing resources for the 235th Base Support Battalion until the closure of the 98th ASG Würzburg. When U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach became a standalone garrison, a new full-size RMO office was established.
What was the most exciting time in your career?
The joint annual fiscal year-end events in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern in the 1990s where dozens of RM personnel from all over Europe were sitting in one large room with computers and printers concentrating on closing out their financial accounts.
What would you say to one of our new apprentices?
Stick with RMO, it’s one of the area of responsibilities with the most versatile, challenging, and responsible tasks, sometimes stressful but also rewarding, with great opportunities regarding your career progression.
What advice would you give to a new colleague?
Stay focused and patient. Don’t expect too much of yourself too quickly. Each organization is unique, and adapting takes time. Embrace learning opportunities. Financial and manpower management often involve unforeseen issues, requiring flexibility, but also a solid understanding of principles, rules, and regulations.
What is the one thing in the garrison, you would change?
Reduce the number of meetings. Not every meeting needs a representative from every garrison organization.
What motivates you, still today?
Success - after all these years dealing with financial management one goal has never changed: A successful closeout of the fiscal year; knowing that everyone has done the best obtaining and executing the financial resources needed to keep the garrison running and to prepare for future needs.
Thank you very much for your service to USAG Ansbach and IMCOM-E.
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