Legacy, Leadership and Love. #KnowYourMilitary

By MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition

ARLINGTON, Va. - His family's legacy drew him into it, but leadership and his love of Soldiers has kept him in it. That's Col. Gary Farley's story. The new Synchronization Director for Army Warrior Care and Transition says service was instilled in him at a young age knowing that his father, uncles and many others before him served.

"I've always wanted to join the Army ever since I was a little kid. We always ran around in the woods and played Army," said Farley.

The New York state native began college working toward a chemical engineering degree, but the military was calling him, and his cousin, who had already joined, was encouraging him. After his first few years of college, Farley visited a recruiter who wanted to push him down the path of a technical job in the Army.

"I thought if I wanted all that technical training I would stay in college. I wanted to be infantry. I wanted to be out there on the ground and jumping out of airplanes; I wanted to do all of that," Farley said. Farley got what he wanted and went on to enlist as an infantryman in 1986.

While his course changed once he became an officer, Farley always found a way to serve Soldiers.

"I liked the hands on and I knew I wanted to be with the troops, so I thought if I became a platoon leader then a company commander I'd be at twenty and I would retire," Farley said. However in 2006, Farley's 20 year mark, he found himself unable to retire because of the ongoing wars.

"I just couldn't do it. Especially when so many people were deploying so any paper that showed up about retirement I tore it up," he said.

Farley's career has led him to Army Warrior Care and Transition, an assignment he is excited to take on and help wounded, ill and injured Soldiers get the help and resources they need to heal and recover.

"I can't stumble the mumble, I have to walk the talk. The Soldier's cares are our cares, that's our mission," Farley said. He's focused on making the Warrior Care and Transition Program the best it can be. Farley is proud of how the program has evolved and wants to add anything he can to make life better for wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.

Now 32 years into his career, Farley knows the Army is likely to tell him he has to leave at some point. But until then, he is thankful for the Army and says serving is his way of supporting the military.

"I have no regrets joining the Army. I got my associates, bachelors and masters all while being on active duty," Farley said. "I also have a great love for Soldiers and what they do. I support them by being in the military with them."

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