Fort Leonard Wood MCS Shift Manager Honored for Store’s Work Outfitting Troops

During the Delta Company 787^th Military Police Battalion Class of ’21 graduation ceremony in November at Fort Leonard Wood, eight people were recognized for distinguishing themselves throughout training.

One person wasn’t in uniform—she was recognized for providing uniforms.

Tatjana Havlin, shift manager at the Fort Leonard Wood Military Clothing store, was a civilian honoree during he Delta Company 787^th Military Police Battalion Class of ’21 graduation ceremony at Fort Leonard Wood.

Tatjana Havlin, shift manager at the Fort Leonard Wood Military Clothing store, received the public recognition for the store’s efforts in helping fit Delta Company/787 MP BN with their Army Green Service Uniforms.

Havlin, who received a Certificate of Appreciation and a battalion coin of excellence during a separate ceremony, said that when she learned of the recognition, she was a little taken aback.

“It wasn’t just me, it was a team effort,” she said. “For me, this is an everyday thing. I wasn’t expecting it. It was overwhelming. And then getting recognized in front of all these troops was definitely overwhelming.”

The Certificate of Appreciation was signed by Battalion Commander Lt. Col Wendy R. Tokach and Command Sgt. Maj. Carl A. Rajewski.

Havlin said that hundreds of companies come into the military store with their troops. Multiple factors go into ordering uniforms, including whether Soldiers have transferred from other installations, looking up Soldiers’ and Guardians’ names, making sure order forms are correct and more.

“Once the uniforms are in, we contact the unit and let them know they can come in and get fitted,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, and I couldn’t have done it without the team, I have: the store manager, Donna Worth; shift managers Christine Bell and Laura Lund; and our associates.”

Havlin also received a letter from Maj. Gen James E. Bonner, commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, lauding her “incredible willingness to serve our Soldiers.”

“The effort you made to provide the Army Green Service Uniform to our graduating Soldiers did not go unnoticed and we extend our gratitude,” said the note, which was also signed by MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena.