Donnie Walker

Flem Bowen "Donnie" Walker, Jr. (born July 11, 1964 in Alabama) is a colonel in the United States Army and the commander of the 1st Sustainment Brigade located at Fort Riley, Kansas. Walker assumed command of the brigade on February 9, 2009 in a ceremony at King Field House on Fort Riley's main post.

Background and education
Walker was born in Alabama and raised in Lineville, a small city in Clay County. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Economics from Auburn University and a Master of Science degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Walker's military education includes: the U.S. Army Airborne Course, Jumpmaster, Parachute Rigger, and Air Assault Schools, the Quartermaster Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Logistics Executive Development Course, and the U.S. Army War College.

Assignments
Walker’s initial assignment was in the 407th Supply and Transport Battalion, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer in the Headquarters Supply Company from June 1988 to February 1990 and the Charlie Forward Support Company Executive Officer from February 1990 to May 1991.

During this time he deployed and participated in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. At the conclusion of Operation DS/DS, he finished the remainder of his tour in the 82d Airborne Division as the Battalion S-1. His next assignment was with the 706th Main Support Battalion, 6th Infantry Division (Light) in March 1992 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

From March 1992 to December 1995, he served as the Battalion S2/S3 Operations Officer and Company Commander of Alpha Supply and Transport Company. Upon completion of his Master's degree and CGSC in June 1998, he reported to the 101st Division Support Command (DISCOM) in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. There he served as the DISCOM S-4 and the 526th Forward Support Battalion Executive Officer. Walker was then selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp for the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA from May 2000 to June 2001.

In July 2001 he was assigned to the Joint Staff J-4, Pentagon in Washington D.C. where he served as an Action Officer in the J-4 Mobility Division and Joint Logistics Operations Center during 9-11 and the initial stages of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. In July 2003, Walker was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks Hawaii where he served as Battalion Commander of the 225th FSB for two years and Division G-4 for one year. During his command, the 225th FSB completed 13 months of combat operations in Iraq while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2006, Walker was assigned as the Director of the Maintenance and Logistics Division, Center of Strategic Leadership at Carlisle Barracks, PA. The following year he was a resident student of U.S. Army War College Class of 2008. Upon graduation, Walker arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas where he assumed command of the 1st Sustainment Brigade in February 2009 after a stint as the Chief of Staff for the 1st Infantry Division.

In April 2010, Walker deployed with the 1st Sustainment Brigade to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Awards and decorations
Walker's awards include the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), and the Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC). He is also authorized to wear the Senior Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, Air Assault Badge and Joint Staff Service Badge.