ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Retirement doesn't mean the same thing to Army Maj. Marcia Pierce, who has spent her life dedicated to service. Serving others is ingrained in her DNA, evident by her decision to join the Peace Corps once again after leading a life of service in the military.
"Retirement may be defined as the end of a career, but in the Army, it truly doesn't end with your departure," said Cornelius Brown Jr., Army Evaluation Center technical director and Pierce's former supervisor who presided over the ceremony. "You've touched a vast number of Soldiers and civilians directly, and indirectly, and [because of you] they continue to touch the lives of other in a positive way. Your legacy is carried on through them."
A California native from Oxnard in Ventura County, Pierce celebrated more than 29 years of active, inactive and National Guard service at her retirement ceremony held at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Chapel in late August. She is set to officially retire Sept. 30. Not new to a life of service, her mother, Lorene Parks, also retired after 30 years of civil service at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme.
Unlike any retirement she's attended, Pierce took a different approach in her remarks during her farewell activities, as she began the event by reciting a poem entitled, 'The Brave and Startling Truth.' The poem was written by the late Maya Angelou for the United Nations' 50th anniversary celebration and was "dedicated to the hope for peace, which lies, sometimes hidden, in every heart."
Later, during a slide presentation, Pierce summarized the most important lessons she's learned throughout the years and offered advice on success factors and failures in one's career, and in life. She says, "Success or failure is a matter of interpretation…"
Her bottom line… "Treat people fair and justly; seize the moment and don't take anything for granted. Everything happens for a reason," Pierce said.
Pierce learned that lesson early, when she enlisted in the Army in January of 1985.
She later attended Officer Candidate School in 1988 and has since served in a variety of leadership roles, formal and informal, in her work and personal life. Of them all, she says the art of listening served as her best leadership skill.
"I try to live life by seizing the moment," said Pierce. "Moments in life are most special when you can have a positive impact on someone…and sometimes it doesn't take much more than being a good listener when someone needs you to be."
A spiritual woman, her hope for peace manifests in her decision to live a life serving. Additionally, she learned the value of camaraderie during her first assignment in Germany when she joined what she fondly refers to as 'the uniformed services family.'
"Although I was far away from home, the people I met while overseas became my family," she said. "I think that element was one of my favorite things about living overseas -- the camaraderie."
As she reflected on her time in service, Pierce credited her thirst for travel and exploration as key factors that motivated her to join the Army while she was matriculated in college. But, more than anything, she likes to accomplish 'firsts'.
"I like to be a trailblazer," Pierce said. "If it hasn't been done, there is an opportunity to innovate and that, to me, is exciting."
Over the course of her career, Pierce has served in a variety of assignments that have taken her all over the world. Early in her career she earned her bachelor's degree in Business and Management at the University of Maryland University College in Germany. She continued her education at the University of California in Long Beach where she earned a master's degree in Public Administration. In addition to Germany, Pierce has served at the Pentagon, in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Korea.
And still, she has no intention to stop pursuing her education. With the personal goal of continuous self-development, Pierce is currently working toward her second master's degree in Management and Health Services Administration. She plans to use her new educational background in her next assignment with the Peace Corps. It will serve as an example to others of how education can enhance one's life.
"Major Pierce is a truly giving individual," said Brown. "She thrives on serving and her joining the Peace Corps is a true testament of that fact."
The task doesn't matter to Pierce, as long as she has an opportunity to lead, continuously improve and support others.
"This will be my second assignment serving with the Peace Corps," said Pierce. "Every day you are there, your actions contribute to changing someone's life. It's rewarding work…work I feel compelled to do from within."
Pierce will teach English Literacy and HIV Prevention in the Eastern Caribbean islands.
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