Photo By Maj. William Wratee | 1st Lt. Trevor Rotman, an ordnance officer, poses for a photo during the Quartermaster...... read more read more
Houston, Texas - In the heart of Houston, Texas, an exciting new chapter is about to unfold for 1st Lt. (Promotable) Trevor Rotman. He is preparing to assume command of the 644th Transportation Company (TC). His journey to this career milestone is the result of a diverse range of military experiences, and the invaluable support of mentors who have guided him along the way.
The 644th TC was constituted in 1949 as the 644th Transportation Truck Company. The company served in the defense of Saudi Arabia and the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait campaigns. In 2017, it provided shelter to civilians and Soldiers of the North Houston area displaced by Hurricane Harvey at its North Houston Army Reserve Center.
Rotman will assume command from Capt. Brian Boniface, who worked alongside Rotman at the 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) during the federal response to the COVID-19 mission.
Boniface says, “When we started looking for my replacement, I immediately thought of Trevor. I think he is the right person to lead this company. We have worked together, and I know he will continue to do great things for our Soldiers and the Army Reserve.”
In March of 2020, Rotman, Boniface, and many others were mobilized with the 4th ESC to support the federal response to COVID-19. They served on the Forward Assessment Sustainment Team (FAST) that supported military medical service providers augmenting civilian hospitals across the country.
During the federal response, I worked in 4th ESC's support operations section with so many experienced logisticians,” says Rotman. “It was such a difficult time, but the professionalism was inspiring. Captain Boniface was one of the leaders I got to watch and learn from.”
Rotman's military career started as a cadet at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. His first assignment was as a platoon leader under the 211th Regional Support Group based in Corpus Christi, Texas. Transitioning from a platoon leader to a FAST was difficult, but he says what he learned prepared him for his next job, aide de camp to the 4th ESC commanding general.
An aide-de-camp serves on the personal staff of a general officer and handles routine matters as their confidential secretary. Rotman describes this experience as the most enlightening position he served in so far.
"The commanding general often demonstrated equal concern for company-level missions as he did for the overall ‘ESC’ mission. I learned that we all contribute to mission success and that a company commander serves as the primary source of information and execution from start to finish." Rotman says that understanding is something he hopes to take to his new job as commander of the 644th TC.
After serving a year as aide-de-camp, Rotman sought his next assignment with a simple question posed to a senior captain in the command. Rotman recalls, "I had always been interested in attending Airborne school. One day, I asked Captain [Terrance] Adams about how he became airborne-qualified. He shared his story and connected me with the 824th Quartermaster Company on Fort Liberty, North Carolina."
Captain Adams, who had served as the headquarters company commander for the 4th ESC, also remembers the encounter. "I remember suggesting the 824th QM as the best route for Trevor. I thought he would think about it for a while and get back to me later, but the next day, he texted me, saying he was working on the transfer." Adams recalls feeling pleased but also surprised by Rotman's eagerness to embrace something new.
During his tenure at the 824th QM, Rotman successfully completed Airborne School and Parachute Rigger School. These programs equipped him with basic paratrooper (military parachutist) training and the skills needed to rig and maintain air-sea rescue equipment, inflatable rafts, and other survival gear.
In his civilian career, Rotman serves as a contracting specialist for an oil and gas company in Houston, Texas. He hopes to take the skills and experience he has gained into command to continue the 644th TC’s tradition of success.
"I am excited about taking command. I want to continue to learn and grow over the next two years," Rotman says. Rotman attributes much of his success to the support and guidance of numerous mentors who have played pivotal roles in shaping his career. "Mentorship has been key in helping me develop as a soldier, and I am grateful to so many people who helped me along the way."
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2023 21:24 |
| Story ID: | 453593 |
| Location: | HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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