‘I’m very excited to be a part of something so extraordinary’

SEMBACH, Germany – The Exchange welcomed Army Sgt. Maj. Lemakius Gardner as the senior enlisted advisor for Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region on Sept. 1.

As the region’s senior enlisted advisor, Gardner is the hub for communication between Exchange leadership, associates, service members and their families.

“I’m very excited to be a part of something so extraordinary,” Gardner said. “I’m looking forward to working with such an incredible organization and being that voice for our service members and their families.”

Gardner has been serving in the Army for 20 years and credits her passion for serving to her family.

“Seeing how the military positively influenced my aunts and uncles’ lives— it made me want to experience the same thing,” Gardner said. “Joining the Army has been the best decision I have ever made.”

Gardner’s military career includes two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

“The Exchange was there for me when I was deployed,” Gardner said. “As a Soldier, they helped to make my living quarters a home away from home by having a lot of the same goods and services that you would have in the States. Now that I’m serving in this position, I get to see how the Exchange makes that support happen.”

While she serves as the Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region senior enlisted advisor, Gardner plans to complete her second master’s degree in human resource management, a degree that will complement her first master’s degree, which is in psychology, and enjoy the travel opportunities being in Germany offers.

“This is a unique assignment,” Gardner said. “I will enjoy everything it has to offer and look forward to the experiences it will add to my military career.”