Major Vanessa R. Bowman commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2001 as an Engineer officer from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science Degree in Geology and Geophysics from the Missouri Institute of Science and Technology at Rolla, Missouri.
Her past assignments and deployments include: Headquarters and Headquarters Company Maintenance Platoon Leader, C Company Light Equipment Platoon Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company Executive Officer while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 2003 – February 2004, Battalion Adjutant-S1, 37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat)(Airborne Corps); B Team Leader, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, FORSCOM while deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-82, 82nd Airborne Division -Operation Enduring Freedom February 2007 – April 2008; Engineer Equipment Maintenance Officer, S4, Public Affairs Officer, and Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade(Combat) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom May 2009 – May 2010. Following the transformation of the 37th Engineer Battalion(Combat)(Airborne) MAJ Bowman continued as Commander, Headquarters Company, 307th Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Airborne) during garrison operations at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following company command MAJ Bowman served as the Fort Bragg and XVIII Airborne Corps Deputy Public Affairs Officer. Currently, MAJ Bowman is attending the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Intermediate Level Education course.
Her military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, Basic Airborne and 82nd Airborne Division Advanced Airborne Jumpmaster Courses, Environmental Management Course, Combatives Level1-3, and the Defense Information School Public Affairs Officer Qualification Course.
MAJ Bowman’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 2, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
