Ginter named new commander of 205th MP Battalion

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lt. Col. Rodney Ginter, of Columbia, has been appointed the new commander for the 205th Military Police Battalion in Poplar Bluff.

The battalion has three units in eight locations: Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment in Poplar Bluff; 1137th Military Police Company in Kennett, Doniphan and Jackson; 1175th Military Police Company in St. Clair and St. Louis; and the 1138th Military Police Company in West Plains and Springfield.

During a ceremony, the battalion guidon was passed to Ginter to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility.

"I look forward to working with Soldiers and Officers of the 205th and learning everything there is to being a military policeman," said Ginter.

Col. Wendul G. Hagler, Missouri National Guard's Chief of Staff and commander of the 70th Troop Command, said his expectations for the battalion to rebuild after its recent deployment and continue moving forward are in good hands with Ginter.

"Lt. Col. Ginter's task ahead of him is to bring this unit back to ready," said Hagler.

The battalion is also currently tasked with administrative and logistical responsibilities for five additional units under the 175th Military Police Battalion whose headquarters is currently deployed to Qatar until August 2012.

He remains confidant in Ginter's abilities to undertake the additional responsibilities, said Hagler.

"Units of the 205th now reach every corner of the state but I'm looking forward to his leadership," said Hagler.

Ginter's military experience also made him a good fit to complete the battalion's mission and tasks, said Hagler.

Ginter enlisted in U.S. Army in 1982 and transferred to the Missouri National Guard in 1986. Over the years he has had leadership positions with several of the state's units and Joint Force Headquarters; including Full Time Manning Division Chief Missouri Joint Headquarters; Personnel Management Officer of the 1107th Aviation Group; Executive Officer, Support Operations Officer and Commander Headquarters Company 935th Aviation Support Battalion; Budget Officer, Audit Program Officer, Finance Officer and Resource Management Officer Headquarters State Area Command.

Although his background is within logistics, said Ginter, his experience as an enlisted Soldier before becoming an Officer and the time he's served with a variety of units and at the state level will be an asset.

"Being a member of the team isn't new to me," said Ginter. "This will be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it."

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