Waters new commander of 1140th Forward Support Co.

During the 1140th Forward Support Company change of command ceremony, Lt. Col. Ed Gargas (right), commander of the 1140th Engineer Battalion, passes the unit guidon to Capt. Cody Waters (left) to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility. (photo by M. Queiser, Missouri National Guard)

Capt. Cody Waters, of Fulton, has been appointed the new commander for the 1140th Forward Support Company in Cape Girardeau.

During the ceremony, the unit guidon was passed to Waters to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility.

Waters was grateful for his new command.

"I can't be happier than to be in Cape and with the Forward Support Company," said Waters told the Soldiers of the Forward Support Company.

Water's leadership abilities make him a very qualified commander for one of the most decorated units in the state, said Lt. Col. Ed Gargas, commander of the 1140th Engineer Battalion.

"He is a young officer but he brings a lot of energy and motivation to the uniform and the unit," said Gargas. "He's the kind of Soldier to lead and continue the success of the Forward Support Company."

Waters enlisted in the Missouri National Guard 2000 and served as a noncommissioned officer until receiving his officer commission in May 2008. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 -- 2004 with Company C, 133rd Signal Battalion; and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011 -- 2012 with Agribusiness Development Team V.

Waters will gain valuable knowledge and experience from the Soldiers of the FSC, who time after time have pushed the unit's standards and accomplishments, said Gargas.

Waters is also looking forward to serving with his new Soldiers and tackling the challenges and demands of unit readiness, training and budgets cuts in the future.

Although he is an officer, he feels like a Soldier first and understands the importance of the individuals' training and preparedness to the success of the unit as a whole, said Waters.

"We're going to train hard and make sure the standards that have been set will continue and be better," said Waters.

Wanner is supported in his military career by his wife, Nicole, their children Thomas, 7, and Cole, 2; and his parents Dan and Debra, of Vienna, Ill.

For pictures of the change of command ceremony visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard/sets/72157632911782291/

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