Garrison Commander

Colonel Bryan DeCoster

Colonel Bryan D. DeCoster was born in Bangor, Maine. Upon graduation in 1987 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, he was commissioned a Regular Army Officer in the Military Intelligence Corps.
Colonel DeCoster’s first assignment was with the 18th Military Intelligence Battalion in Munich, Germany where he served as a Platoon Leader, Assistant Battalion S3, and Operations Officer for the USAREUR Interrogation Center. In 1992, he was assigned to the 201st Military Intelligence Brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington where he served as an Assistant Brigade S3, Company Commander, and Brigade S2. While at Fort Lewis, Colonel DeCoster also served as Battalion S2 for 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (First Manchus) and deployed with the battalion to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Sea Signal. In 1996, he was assigned to the United States Military Academy where he served as the Military Intelligence Branch Representative and as Assistant Professor in the Department of Military Instruction. In 2000, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas where he served as the G2 Operations Officer, Battalion S3 for the 104th Military Intelligence Battalion, and G2 Plans Officer during the Division’s deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon redeployment in 2003, he served as the Director of Operations for the European Security Center in Darmstadt, Germany. Colonel DeCoster commanded the 302nd Military Intelligence Battalion in Wiesbaden, Germany from July 2005 to July 2007. While in command, he deployed the Battalion to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07, providing multi-disciplinary intelligence support to Multi-National Corps-Iraq from 12 different locations within Iraq. Colonel DeCoster most recently served as the Enlisted Military Intelligence Branch Chief and Chief of Operations Support and Effects Division at Human Resources Command.
Colonel DeCoster’s military education includes the United States Army War College, Command and General Staff College and the Military Intelligence Officer Advanced and Basic Courses. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy, a Masters degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, and a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
Colonel DeCoster’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

Deputy Garrison Commander

Mrs. Denise Miller

Mrs. Mary Denise Miller began her Civil Service Career in 1987 as a Palace Acquire Intern at Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. She was assigned to the War Reserve Material Branch and worked numerous issues and projects relating to the Forward Supply System and War Reserve Materiel requirements for the C-17, C-141, C-5, and C-130 aircraft. After completing her internship, she was assigned to the Plans and Programs Branch, LGX.

In 1990 she moved to Panama as U.S. Army South's Aviation Logistics officer, responsible for Army aviation issues in Central and South America. Later promoted to the Command's leading Logistics Manager, she was responsible for supply, maintenance, transportation, and services requirements for the Command. In 1997 Ms Miller returned to the United States and relocated in Warner Robins GA, where she was assigned to the Foreign Military Sales program in the LANTIRN System Program Office working for the Turkish Air Force. In October 1997, she was assigned as the LANTIRN Navigation Pod Team Lead for the U. S. Air Force. In November 1998 Ms Miller returned to Panama to expedite turn-in of all U.S. Forces material and equipment in preparation of the turnover of all U.S. Military bases to the Panamanian Government. In June 1999 Ms Miller accepted a promotion to GS-14 and was assigned to Defense Supply Service – Washington as Chief, Supply Division. She was responsible for managing 7 Self Service Supply Centers and an Army Working Capital Fund servicing the National Capitol Region. Ms Miller assisted in providing logistical support to the Pentagon in the aftermath of 911, ensuring continuing operations. In January 2002 Ms Miller was selected as the Command Logistician for the Military District of Washington. In October 2002 she assumed the position of Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Support. She was instrumental in the planning and coordination to establish the Joint Forces Headquarters – National Capitol Region supporting NORTHCOM in the NCR. In September 2003 she accepted a promotion to GS-15 at the Installation Management Agency as the first Chief of Logistics responsible for the Directorates of Logistics at all Army Installations, world-wide. In September 2006 Ms Miller assumed the position as Chief of Logistics in the IMCOM Pacific Region, Ft. Shafter, Hawaii. In December 2010 she assumed the position as Deputy to the Garrison Commander, USAG Kaiserslautern Germany. In January 2012 she assumed her current position as Deputy to the Garrison Commander, USAG Baden-Württemberg. She is married to Lt Col John M. Miller (Ret) and they have 4 children; Allyson, Jack Jr., Kyle, and Ryan and 2 grandchildren; Riley and Analise.

Ms Miller has a Bachelors degree in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Illinois, and a Masters in Business and Administration from NOVA Southeastern, Fort Lauderdale Florida. In 1996 she completed the Army Management Staff College in residence. She attended the Federal Executive Institute at Charlottesville VA in February 2005. She has received numerous awards and recognition. She received the Superior Civilian Service Award (1996, 2010) and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2006.

Garrison CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth J. Kraus Jr.

Command Sergeant Major Kenneth J. Kraus Jr. is a native of Lockport, NY. He enlisted in the Army in July of 1987 as a Chemical Operations Specialist. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advance Individual Training at Ft McClellan, Alabama.

Command Sergeant Major Kraus has served in a variety of duty positions to include: Decontamination Specialist, Battalion Commander's Driver, Mechanized Smoke Squad Leader, Company CBRN NCO, CBRN Reconnaissance Squad Leader, CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Post CBRN School Senior Instructor, First Sergeant, Brigade Operations Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major.

His military education includes: The Primary Leadership Development Course, Basis Noncommissioned Officers Course (Honor Graduate), Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, CBRN Reconnaissance Course (Honor Graduate), Master FOX Scout Course (Honor Graduate), Combat Lifesaver Course, Drill Sergeant's School (Commandants' List), Master Fitness Course, Air Assault School, Battle Staff NCO Course, United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy Class 58 (Commandants' List) and the Department of Defense Support to Civil Authorities Course.

Command Sergeant Major Kraus' assignments include: Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Yongsan Korea; Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and three tours at Fort Hood, Texas where he most recently served as the Command Sergeant Major of the Second Chemical Battalion. On 17 August 2012 CSM Kraus assumed responsibility to serve as the Garrison

Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Württemberg in Heidelberg, Germany.

Command Sergeant Major Kraus deployed in support of: Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Command Sergeant Major Kraus holds an Associate's Degree in Weapons of Mass Destruction Preparedness and a Bachelor's Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management through American Military University.