Employee recognized for his 45 years of service

By Marny MalinAugust 6, 2009

Employee recognized for his 45 years of service
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- More than 40 garrison civilians and DoD employees were honored for their service and achievements at a ceremony Tuesday at the Community Center.

Christopher Hicklin, Directorate of Information Management, received the achievement medal for civilian service for 45 years of service. Hicklin started his service as a Soldier April 6, 1964. "I was going to college part-time, when I could afford it. I was one semester shy of a mathematics degree when I was drafted. It changed my life," said Hicklin.

Stationed at Fort Wadsworth, N.Y, Hicklin knew he wanted to stay in the area. When an opportunity to join the civilian work force became available, he tested for it and soon was employed in data processing after his discharge. Wadsworth later combined with Fort Hamilton.

"I embrace change, which is the one element that has kept me in the work force. I'm just that type of person. I found computers and information management to be what I really liked to do and I stayed with it," said Hicklin.

"I started in the days of punch cards, we did not get a real computer until the spring of 1970. It was an IBM 36030 with 64k of memory on tape and we thought it was really something," said Hicklin with a laugh. The next year, their computers were upgraded to disks and the processing time progressed. When downsizing occurred in 1975, he landed at Fort Belvoir.

Hicklin marvels at all the changes he has witnessed both on Belvoir and the surrounding communities, Noting the fort went from an engineer school and troop training installation to one of administrative services. The change was signaled when INSCOM arrived, according to Hicklin. "I truly enjoy working here. It still is beautiful, the view of the water from the Officers Club is breathtaking."

Hicklin has set his sights on Jan. 1, 2011, as a final day of employment at Fort Belvoir. Although this former Army intramural and college baseball player will look forward to some down time, maybe taking in more Nationals games, he already has some self-employment plans for the future.

For now, he keeps his youthful energy, playing and coaching softball three nights a week and keeping up with the changes that occur in computer technology.