Lawrence High School will honor longtime School Resource Officer, Lt. Col. Steve Austin, with a special "clap-out" celebration on Friday, April 11 as he prepares for deployment to the Middle East with the U.S. National Guard.
LHS School Resource Officer, Lt. Col. Steve Austin.
Austin, who has served at the high school for more than four years, will be saluted by students, faculty and staff at 1:40 p.m. during an emotional farewell event.
The school's marching band drumline will lead Austin through hallways lined with students holding handmade signs and cheering to express their gratitude.
In addition to ensuring campus safety, Austin has led the school's Project Prom DUI and distracted-driving prevention program, helping students make safe choices.
“Officer Austin is well known for the great connections he’s made with our students, their families, faculty, and staff,” said Principal Dr. Adam. “We will miss him tremendously, but we are extremely proud of him and his unwavering service to our country and the greater Lawrence Township community.”
Assistant Principal Dr. Clifford Williams echoed that sentiment, adding, “This is our way of showing Officer Austin how deeply appreciated and respected he is. His presence has made a lasting impact on our school, and we want him to feel the strength of our support as he embarks on this important mission.”
The event will conclude with Austin exiting the school to a salute by first responder vehicles, coinciding with the school's afternoon dismissal.
School Resource Officer Steve Austin with students and staff at Lawrence High School.
Austin began his military career as a Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. He commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2004 into the United States Army Transportation Corps.
Upon completion of the Transportation Corps Officer Basic Course at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, with the 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
Austin began his career as a transportation platoon leader with Alpha Company, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion. As a lieutenant, he also served as the maintenance control officer for 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, and as Executive Officer for Golf Forward Support Company, 203rd BSB.
He was promoted to the rank of captain in March 2008. On Aug. 27, 2008, he assumed command of Golf FSC, 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, and led the Spartans for 24 months as the commander in both garrison and combat.
Austin deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom III in July 2005 as a platoon leader for six months at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Baqubah, Iraq.
He deployed again for Operation Iraqi Freedom V in March 2007 for 15 months as an XO at Camp Bucca Theater Internment Facility, Umm Qasr, Iraq, and FOB Hammer, Besmaya, Iraq.
His final deployment was for Operation Iraqi Freedom VII in October 2009 for 12 months at Contingency Operating Base Delta, Kut Air Base, Iraq, as a company commander.
All deployments were with the mighty Sledgehammer Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division "Marne Express."
Austin attended and completed the Captains Logistics Combined Career Course in 2011 at Fort Lee, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 8th U.S. Army in Seoul, South Korea, where he worked in the G4 Mobility Division as the Land Branch Officer from August 2011 to July 2012.
He then assumed a second company command as the Central New Jersey Recruiting Company Commander, Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Battalion, from July 2012 to July 2014.
In August 2014, Austin transitioned from active duty to the N.J. Army National Guard. Since joining the Guard, he was promoted to Major in 2015 and completed the Command and General Staff Officer College in 2018.
In October 2018, he was assigned to the 119th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Vineland as the XO.
The unit assumed a homeland defense mission under U.S. Army Northern Command, Michigan Army National Guard, Task Force 46, serving as Task Force Logistics. He was certified in Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations.
Austin assumed command of the 117th CSSB in 2021, located in Woodbridge. The battalion includes a headquarters company, chemical company, transportation company, and military police company.
He was officially promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on October 6, 2021, with a date of rank of June 11, 2021.
- His awards and decorations include:
- Bronze Star Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Meritorious Unit Citation
- Army Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal (with two Campaign Stars)
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon (with two devices)
- Korea Overseas Ribbon
- Korean Defense Service Medal
- Parachutist Badge