ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Lt. Gen. Michael Tucker, First Army commanding general, thanked 11 civilians and five Soldiers for their service to the nation during the Rock Island Arsenal quarterly award, retirement and retreat ceremony held on Jun 25.
The retirees represented 450 combined years of service to the Army and the country.
"Think about that for a moment, 450 years of combined service to our nation," Tucker said. "That's longer than the United States has formally existed as a free, democratic nation, thanks in part to the noble service provided by these 16 men and women we honor today."
The Soldiers honored were:
• Lt. Col. Robert Broughton Jr., deputy Staff Judge Advocate, First Army
• Lt. Col. Vincent Nwafor, logistics integrator, Army Sustainment Command
• Master Sgt. Brandon Cronise, materiel integration branch non-commissioned officer in charge, ASC
• Sgt. 1st Class David Wirtz, materiel integrator, materiel integration branch, ASC
• Staff Sgt. Quincy Jones, materiel readiness division, workloading NCO, ASC
Civilians honored were:
• James Ball, Quality Assurance Specialist for Ammunition Surveillance (QASAS), Joint Munitions Command
• Leon Baxter, chief, operations support, Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, JMC
• Mahesh Bett, lead product quality manager, JMC
• Richard Boyle, lead quality assurance specialist, JMC
• Linda Gross, information systems security manager, JMC
• Lisa Hedrick, ammunition program specialist, JMC
• Doug Maddox, quality directorate, QASAS, JMC
• Stephen McDowell, QASAS, JMC
• Bill Metcalf Sr., senior health physicist, JMC
• Lanolia Neely, chief, Equal Opportunity Office, JMC
• Kay Ralston, fund certifier and financial analyst, ASC
Among the retirees were six QASAS from JMC, including Maddox. At the time of his retirement, Maddox was the senior-ranking QASAS in the entire federal civilian career program. QASAS was established in 1920, making it the oldest federal civilian career program. QASAS perform ammunition surveillance duties relating to ammunition logistics management.
"It was a great experience and I wouldn't change a thing," Maddox said. "It's been a great ride and a great journey. I had the opportunity to travel the world. I also would not have been able to work in my career field without the support of my family."
Neely said the retirement ceremony offered an opportunity to reflect on the next phase of her life.
"I'm blessed to have my parents here with me, so I plan on spending quality time with them, my son, and other Family members and friends," she said.
Tucker wished the retirees well in retirement.
"Thank you all for your valued service to our Army and our nation," Tucker said. "All of these retirees we honor today served with distinction, made numerous personal sacrifices and helped make the best military the world has ever known even better through their contributions."
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