REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command bid farewell to its top operations leader during a ceremony at the headquarters, July 11.
Maj. Gen. Gustave F. Perna, AMC deputy chief of staff for operations and logistics, G3/4, was celebrated and recognized for two years of dedicated duty to the command. In his role, Perna oversaw and provided command and control to all AMC operations and units.
Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC commanding general who hosted the ceremony, praised Perna for his leadership and flawless execution of the mission.
"Major General Perna provided an exceptional example and served as an inspirational role model," Via said. "It's a tremendous responsibility to lead [the AMC operations section], and even more challenging to improve it, yet he did that."
From mission support and retrograde to the Organic Industrial Base, logistics integration and business rules to organizational reshaping and restructuring, current operations to strategic planning for the future, Perna led a team of more than 2,000 officers, Soldiers, civilians and contractors.
Via commended Perna for successfully leading the operations section during the challenging time of supporting current operations while also transitioning to sustainment. He credited him with developing the Materiel Common Operating Picture, revolutionizing predictive readiness for leaders and Soldiers.
"Operations are the heartbeat of the organization, the centerpiece of everything we do," said Via. "During [Perna's] time here, he was committed to one thing -- ensuring forces had readiness."
For his exceptional service to AMC and distinguishing himself as a "multifunctional sustainer of the force," Via presented Perna with the Distinguished Service Medal and the Gen. Brehon B. Somervell Coin-Medallion of Excellence.
Perna said he credits the leadership and workforce for his success.
"My proudest moments were watching how our commanding general interacts with his peers and others," Perna said. "It's always about Soldiers and families, the Army, AMC, and the workforce."
Perna praised AMC Deputy Commanding General Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion and Executive Deputy to the Commanding General John Nerger for their technical, unmatched and remarkable competence. He also hailed AMC's members of the Senior Executive Service as the most competent, respected, admired group in the Department of Defense. He continued his praise of the officers and noncommissioned officers, and the entire workforce within AMC.
"The AMC workforce has a reputation of executing the mission with precision without complaint, and are second to none," Perna said. "Their reputation for performing doctorate-level logistics, strategically, operationally and tactically, is unprecedented."
Perna also praised his wife, Susan, for supporting him throughout his career, noting that he was gone for 18 of their 19 previous moves with the Army. For her support to Perna, AMC, and the Army, Susan was presented the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.
Perna, who has been nominated to serve as the Department of the Army G-4 and will soon transition to the Pentagon, concluded with some advice a previous mentor gave him.
"Always choose a path that makes you professionally uncomfortable," he said. "This assignment has truly been an honor, one that I'll never forget. This tour has made me better."
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