Michael “Mike” Vetter, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s director of logistics and engineering, or G4, shares career reflections during a retirement ceremony at the Myer Auditorium June 24, 2024.
Michael “Mike” Vetter, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s director of logistics and engineering, or G4, center, receives the Department of the Army Certificate of Retirement from CECOM’s Deputy to the Commanding General Liz Miranda, left, while Vetter’s wife, Joan Vetter, right, looks on during his retirement ceremony at the Myer Auditorium June 24, 2024.
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The career of Michael “Mike” Vetter, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s director of logistics and engineering, or G4, was celebrated during a retirement ceremony at the Myer Auditorium June 24, 2024. He retired with 45 years of combined service.
Selected as the G4 in April 2002, Vetter’s major career accomplishment was the Base Realignment and Closure construction and relocation of all Command, Control, Communications, Computers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance organizations from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to APG, Maryland, from 2005-2012, during which he served as the principal engineer.
The ceremony's host was CECOM’s Deputy to the Commanding General Liz Miranda. Miranda said Vetter and his wife, Joan Vetter, have served the nation for more than seven decades, calling them a “truly inspiring team.” Miranda noted the many family, friends, colleagues, and mentors in attendance who were his support system.
“You have helped Mike be who he is today,” she said.
Miranda, who has worked with Vetter for many years, said he is always professional, well-poised, and ready to tackle any challenge. Miranda said the Army's G4 staff is responsible for transportation, logistics, and maintenance. She said that Vetter and the G4 team are well-known around the command as problem solvers, ready to help when the need arises.
Miranda said Vetter was responsible for the scoping, design, and construction of the C4ISR Campus, now called the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center of Excellence Campus.
“It was a huge undertaking,” Miranda said. “Mike just did it all, very calm and collected.”
Miranda said Vetter is an Army veteran who provided the Army Civilian Corps invaluable experience from his time in uniform. Vetter served in the Gulf War and is a U.S. Military Academy graduate. Upon retirement from the Army, Vetter attended Princeton University, earning a Master of Science in environmental engineering and water resources.
According to Miranda, Vetter’s legacy will be “everlasting.”
“American Soldiers and our allies around the globe are more informed, prepared, and safer today because of Mike, and the momentous work he has accomplished throughout his truly amazing career,” Miranda said.
After Miranda’s remarks, Vetter received the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal; the DA certificates of retirement and appreciation; a Senior Executive Service note and coin; a certificate of retirement and retirement pin from the U.S. Armed Forces; and two U.S. flags. His wife received the DA Certificate of Appreciation.
Career reflections
Vetter said he was honored and humbled by those who attended the ceremony, in-person, and online. He thanked his family for their steadfast support, and noted that his wife, Joan, encouraged him to apply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with Hurricane Floyd disaster relief efforts in New Jersey. He described it as a “wonderful job,” and as a federal employee, it eventually led to him joining CECOM.
“I thank you, Joan, for all of your guidance and help. You are a key part of my success, and I love you dearly,” he said.
Vetter said he has served as the G4 for 22 years and recounted three key periods during his time in this role. Vetter said when he was hired, the G4 Directorate was new. During these formative years, the team frequently conducted staff assistance visits to military installations with CECOM subordinate commands, helping to build morale across the workforce.
Vetter described the BRAC move from Fort Monmouth to APG and the construction of the C4ISR Campus as complicated processes involving many meetings and detailed planning reviews.
“We rose to the challenge, the CECOM staff and representatives from the C4ISR community,” he said.
Vetter said the transition was successful because of the teamwork of many people and thanked those who contributed to its success.
“We were able to complete the BRAC move down to Aberdeen Proving Ground by the congressionally mandated date of 15 September 2011,” he said. “It was a monumental program; it is my lasting legacy. You are sitting in it right now, when you walk outside all those buildings are part of that grand work that was accomplished. Not only by me but by the CECOM BRAC team, the C4ISR representatives, our partners with the [U.S. Army] Corps of Engineers, it is a real testament to the teamwork that went on to make that happen.”
Vetter said after the BRAC move was completed, there was important work to be done, to form a community. The G4 was responsible for ensuring the workforce had the resources they needed to perform their mission.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the G4 was responsible for providing face masks to employees, installing hand sanitizer dispensers and forming a team to ensure the buildings were maintained while the majority of workforce was teleworking.
Vetter said the common thread across his career, was the dedication of his colleagues. As the G4, he said, he is supporting the people who support the warfighter.
“I ensure they have the right resources, the right facilities, and are positioned to provide that vital support to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines,” he said.
Vetter concluded his speech by asking past and current members of the G4 to stand. He said this team of professionals and their predecessors were responsible for his success.
“I could not have asked for a better team to work with over these past 22 years,” he said.
For more photos, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cecom/albums/72177720318223725/with/53815588148
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