Colonel Lewis Burchard

COL Burchard has had a distinguished career in both the Active Army and Michigan National Guard. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery in June 1965 through Western Michigan University Army ROTC. Upon reporting to active duty, he attended the Artillery Officer Basic Course and was then assigned to 1/35 Field Artillery, 24ID, Munich, Germany where he served as a Fire Direction Officer. He was then transferred to Fort Bragg, NC where he served as a Training Officer and later in the 5/42 Field Artillery serving as a Battery Commander.

Upon leaving active duty, then First Lieutenant Burchard joined the Michigan Army National Guard and was assigned as Detachment Commander, 1/246th Armor in Three Rivers, MI. In July 1971, he assumed command of HHC, 1/246 Armor in Dowagiac, MI. He served in a number of staff positions within the 1/246th Armor Battalion until assuming command of the battalion in April 1980. After completing battalion command and promotion to Colonel, he assumed command of the 46th Infantry Brigade of the Michigan National Guard. His culminating assignment was as Post Commander for Fort Custer Military Training Center in Battle Creek, MI where he served until his retirement in May 1988. Throughout his years of service, he served over half of his career as a Detachment, Battery, Company, Battalion, Brigade, or Post Commander. As a Battalion and Brigade Commander, he was in Europe on two occasions, the National Training Center in California, and has had extensive experience with the Partnership Program while visiting numerous military units and posts throughout the United States.

COL Burchard is a graduate of the Army’s Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College. His awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (Third Oak Leaf Cluster), and National Defense Service Medal.

COL Burchard is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and a teaching certificate. Additionally, he earned a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Western and has done extensive work on his Doctorate program while in the Educational Leadership Program.