Augsberg, Germany, 1986, at the height of the Cold War, a young 2nd Lt. Christopher Spillman was assigned to 1st Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, a nuclear capable 155-howitzer battalion under the 17th Field Artillery Brigade.

Tensions were high on the divided intra-German boarder which split the Soviet occupied East Germ-any from West Germany, further divided French, British and American forces controlled sections.

Over 400,000 American military personnel were in Germany at the time, prepared to go to war at a moment's notice. In the event of a Soviet attack, they were trained to alert higher, lower and adjacent units of the attack, upload all necessary supplies, deploy to assembly areas and move forward to the battle area in a quick and orderly fashion.

Back then the 1-18th FA provided the 1st Armored Division, "Old Ironsides," with reinforcing fires to stall a Soviet advance into West Germany.

Today, Spillman, a brigadier general, serves as the 40th commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School and chief of ADA at Fort Sill. His 30 years in the Army have taken him through 18 permanent change of station moves across the United States, Germany, South Korea and Canada.

On Aug. 22, he attended a battalion ball and spoke as the guest of honor. It was a battalion he had never been assigned to, yet he described the evening as though he was a long lost cousin returning to the fold.

The battalion hosting the ball was 2nd Battalion. 18th FA, the same regiment he served in all those years ago. Battalion members are stationed at Fort Sill and after many realignments, are once again tasked to provide "Old Ironsides" with reinforcing fires, this time with a very different mission than stalling a Soviet advance.

Spillman spoke to the great tradition of the military ball.

"It secures, advances and fosters the social aspect of the military," said the general. "Military balls build unit cohesion and give a sense of being part of a larger community that is worth being a member of. In a word, they make you proud to be a member of the unit and to be a Soldier in the United States Army."

He spoke to his 30 years of experience and offered some advice.

"Make a conscious effort to enjoy yourself in every assignment you have which may not always be easy; seek to build relationships and find friends. Be there for each other. Do all that you can to find balance in your personal and professional lives, embrace your military community, but mostly, be proud to be an American Solider in a vital branch for the United States Army -- the field artillery."

The night proved to be the perfect opportunity to build those relationships and enjoy each other's company in a way that is specifically unique to the military.