DLA Distribution Europe, Change of Command

Sequence of Events

* Indicates to please stand

Ceremony Host: Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman

Brigadier General Kevin L. Cotman was born and raised in Hampton, Va. He was commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps through the United States
Military Academy in 1994. He assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution on July 22, 2025.

His first duty assignment was to the 24th Corps Support Group, Fort Stewart/ Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, where he served as Executive Officer,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, Platoon Leader and then Executive Officer, 110th Quartermaster Company
and Battalion S-1, 260th Quartermaster Battalion.

Cotman later served as the Petroleum Officer for 8th United States Army, Yongsan Garrison, Republic of Korea. Next, he was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia, where he served as a Petroleum and Water Instructor and later commanded the 16th Quartermaster Company, 49th Quartermaster Group. After command, he completed Training with Industry with the ExxonMobil Corporation. He then served in the 2d Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, as the Division Support Command Materiel Management Officer.

Following reassignment to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Cotman was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He initially served as the Battalion Operations Officer, 307th Forward Support Battalion. He was then assigned to the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division as the Support Operations Officer. He later returned to the 307th Forward Support Battalion and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as the Materiel Management Officer. In the newly transformed, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, he served as Battalion Operations Officer, concluding his duty as the Battalion Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He was then assigned as the Executive Officer to the Vice Director of the Army Staff and later served in the Joint Staff J-4 Logistics Directorate. Next, he commanded the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. After completing battalion command, he served as the Senior Sustainment Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. He then returned to the Republic of Korea where he served as the Chief, Plans and Exercise Division, United States Forces Korea J4. He then assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas, Houston, Texas. After command, he served as the Force Development-Logistics Division Chief, HQDA G-8. His next assignment was as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4. Prior to his arrival at DLA Distribution, he served as the Commanding General, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Cotman holds a Master's Degrees in Business Administration from Webster University and National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School, National Defense University.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.

Outgoing Commander: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael W. Zdrojesky

Army Lt. Col. Michael Zdrojesky assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Europe in Germersheim, Germany, July 8, 2024.

Zdrojesky is a native of East Greenville, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Millersville University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps, in 2006. Zdrojesky also holds a Masters of Business Administration from American Military University.

His previous assignments include: Platoon Leader, 623rd Quartermaster Company and 612th Quartermaster Company, 189th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade; Logistics Transition Team Leader, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula; Support Operations Aerial Delivery Officer 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 82nd Sustainment Brigade; Service Detachment Commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Team Leader, Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency; Operations Officer and Executive Officer, Group Support Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne); Logistics Plans Officer and Commander's Action Group Engagements Director, Special Operations Command - Pacific; and most recently Chief of Support, Command Assessment Program, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, Department of the Army.

Zdrojesky has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and other activities in the EUCOM and CENTCOM AOR.

He is a graduate of the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course and Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

His awards and decorations include two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Bronze Star Medal, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal. He also has been awarded the Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Irish Defense Forces Parachute Wings.

Incoming Commander: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joseph M. Bower

Army Lt. Col. Joseph Bower is a native of Toledo, Ohio. Joe graduated from the University of Toledo in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. He is a graduate of the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, and the Army Command and General Staff Officer College. In 2023 Joe graduated as a MG James Wright Fellow from the College of William and Mary with a Masters of Business Administration.

He served as an Operations Officer and the Strategic Engagements Division Chief for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and subsequently the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command from 2023 to 2026.

His previous assignments include: Distribution Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for B Company, 70th Brigade Support Battalion, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea; Executive Officer for 549th Quartermaster (Field Service) Company, Fort Carson, CO; Supply Management Officer, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Carson, CO; Brigade Deputy S4 & Budget Officer, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), 1st Infantry Division (1ID) at Fort Riley, KS; Commander, Delta Forward Support Company, 5-4 Cavalry Squadron, 2-1 ABCT; Strategic Engagements Division Chief, U.S. Army South, San Antonio, TX; Battalion Executive Officer, 25th ID Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Schofield Barracks, HI; Brigade S4, 25th Infantry Division Artillery; and the Deputy G4, 25th Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. Bower has deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq and has served in various roles supporting exercises and operations in the AFRICOM, INDOPACOM and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver).

DLA Distribution Europe

DLA Distribution Europe, located in Germersheim, Germany, is DLA Distribution's largest distribution facility on the European continent and a forward deployed Theater Distribution Platform. As an integral part of the Defense Logistics Agency's worldwide network of 24 distribution centers, the organization provides initial surge capability during the transition to war phase, seamless joint theater distribution, and innovative support of DLA and service-managed materiel to all four service component warfighters and government partners throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Strategically positioned near the Rhine River and Ramstein Air Base in central Europe, it's distribution facilities take advantage of readily available air, road, rail, and barge modes of transportation, as well as enabling the critical theater break-bulk mission performed by the Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point.

Current commodities distributed by DLA Distribution Europe are repair parts, barrier and construction material, clothing and textiles, packaged POL, operational rations, and humanitarian relief support.