A link in the chain of Army history broke Sept. 30 when one of the Army's last draftee Soldiers, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Clyde Green, senior all-source intelligence technician for G-2, Third Army/U.S. Army Central (Third Army), retired after 40 years of service.
Green, born in 1950, was drafted in 1970 during Vietnam. Although he was working odd jobs at the time to try to go back to school and do something important with his life, he said the draft notice was devastating.
"I thought my whole world was ending," Green said.
However, instead of a devastating ending, the draft letter from President Richard Nixon would be the beginning of a life with no regrets, said Green.
"I don't think I could have had a better life," Green said. "Nothing could equate to serving the country for 40 years."
During those 40 years, Green experienced a lot of changes, said Lt. Gen. Richard Zahner, deputy chief of staff, Army G-2. Zahner, who said he attended Green's retirement ceremony order to recognize a remarkable career, said Green's career went through five separate armies: the Vietnam-era Army; the transition into a volunteer Army in the 1970s; the Army of excellence in the 1980s, when the Army began to focus on education and creating smarter, more technical Soldiers; the downsizing of the Army by 40 percent in the 1990s; and the post-Sept. 11, 2001 Army.
"You (Green) had a role in part of each Army," Zahner said. "You laid bridges that constantly moved the Army forward."
In spite of the changes, one thing remained constant in Green's career: his job as an intelligence analyst.
Green's brother, Willie, was already serving in the Army Signal Corps when Green was drafted. Wanting something different, Green said he opted to join military intelligence.
Though the transition into the military was tough, Green said he began to see the benefits of the Army.
"I got over the draft thing quick," he said. "The Army matures you, develops character. You know you have responsibilities."
Helping to mold Green's character were multiple NCOs, whom he credits with his decision to stay in the Army.
"Good leaders create good Soldiers," he said. "My NCOs helped me stay."
For the first 10 years of his career, Green stayed in the NCO ranks, rising to the rank of sergeant first class.
Seeing his potential, one of his commanding officers told Green to apply for warrant officer.
Nineteen years later, Green would reach the pinnacle of that field, attaining the rank of chief warrant officer 5.
"You no longer have potential," Zahner joked of Green's rank over his final 11 years of service.
Although he won't be serving in uniform any longer, Green does have a lot of potential left to give to the Army, Zahner said. "Serve as an ambassador of the Army, reflect the best we have," he said.
Green said he does not know if he will take up that offer, although he encourages young people to serve, even if it is only for two or three years.
As for himself, Green said he has no plans yet because he wasn't expecting to retire.
"I didn't know when I would retire, but general Zahner said I was too old," he joked.
Green said his current plans include moving to North Carolina with his wife of 34 years, Veria, who he credits with helping him through his military career.
For Veria, a military veteran who met Green while serving under him as an E-4 in 1974, the day was also special.
"For the first time, we're both entirely civilians," she said. Although she admits the time went fast, she said it was time for them to start a new phase in life.
"We'll finally be able to go to breakfast on a week- day," she said.
No matter what Green chooses to do, Zahner wished him well, leaving him with encouragement and the statement that no one is "ready for geezerdom until you retire twice."
As for his first retirement, Green said it was a milestone reached thanks to his Family and thousands of Soldiers who helped him along the way.
"I couldn't have done this alone," he said.
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