RDECOM chief of staff retires after 30 years of service

By Mr. Daniel Lafontaine (RDECOM)January 20, 2015

Col. Ken Tarza retires
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Jan. 20, 2015) -- The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command reflected on the 30-year career of Col. Kenneth R. Tarcza during his retirement ceremony Jan. 20 at Meyer Auditorium.

Tarcza, who has served as RDECOM chief of staff since September 2012, shared anecdotes with about 100 colleagues and family members from an Army career that began as a West Point cadet in 1981.

"At the conclusion of my career, it's really not about me. It's about all the Soldiers and civilians I served with who made a difference in my life and mine in theirs," Tarcza said. "Worry about the folks around you and facilitate their success. Your own success will automatically follow."

Tarcza was commissioned in 1985 from the U.S. Military Academy as an Armor officer. He is a graduate of the Army Airborne and Ranger Courses, the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff Officers Course, the Army Senior Service College Fellowship program and numerous acquisition courses.

Maj. Gen. John F. Wharton, RDECOM commanding general, lauded Tarcza's commitment to the nation as well as his ability to combine technical expertise with the operational Army. Tarcza earned a master of science and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas.

"He's been successful as a Soldier and a scholar but also as a leader, a husband and a father," Wharton said. "He's upheld the values that he believes in his personal and professional lives.

"General Kern, former AMC commander, said it best when he referred to Ken as the ideal model for a Soldier scientist. Ken combined the operational experience with technical know-how and put it to work to support our Soldiers."

Wharton described Tarcza's passion for service as he fed the homeless, worked in a Polish orphanage and built houses for the impoverished in Mexico.

"Ken is known for his composure, patience and sound judgment as a leader," Wharton said. "I have always relied on him for his wise counsel, his dedication, his loyalty and commitment to service. It impressed me from my first days here [at RDECOM].

"The Tarcza family is the epitome of self sacrifice. No matter where they've been stationed, they have served others."

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RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness--technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment--to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

Related Links:

US Army Materiel Command

US Army RDECOM