FORT McPHERSON, Ga. (Feb.2, 2011) - After more than two years as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff G-4 for the Army's largest Command, Mr. David Campbell retired today, during a ceremony at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) headquarters here.

Gen. James D. Thurman, commanding general of FORSCOM, hosted the ceremony that was held in the G-1 Atrium of the headquarters.

"For more than three-and-a-half decades, Dave Campbell has placed the needs of others before his own and has repeatedly answered our nations call," said Thurman. "Dave's impact will continue long after he departs Marshall Hall. His influence will continue on, because of the positive impact he had on thousands of officers, non-commissioned officers, Soldiers, and civilians who he has interacted with over the years."

"Dave's biggest contribution to FORSCOM has been his ability to foster strategic partnerships and relationships with the Department of the Army, Army Material Command, and other Army headquarters to more effectively synchronize our policies and programming actions," said Thurman. "Our Army has been fortunate to have Dave Campbell as part of our ranks. He has left an imprint of excellence at every place he has served. We thank Dave Campbell for his service to the nation."

A native of Alabama, Campbell's final assignment of his almost four-decades-long career put him in the right place to provide for the supply and readiness of units that report to FORSCOM. Hundreds of thousands of Soldiers nationwide were impacted by the policies, decisions and actions of Campbell and the G-4 team.

During the ceremony, Thurman presented Campbell with the Exceptional Civilian Service Award and the Award for Outstanding Service in the Army Senior Executive Service (SES). Both were signed by Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh. He also received a Letter of Appreciation from President Barack Obama and a Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation signed by Thurman.

Campbell also received gifts and mementos, recognizing his time at FORSCOM. The ceremony ended with the casing of his SES flag, which symbolizes the culmination of his distinguished career.

"It has been a great run here but everybody's got to go. I'll move out then I'll probably come back for a few weeks to help the transition," said Campbell. "If I think back to 1973 when I first came in the Army, it was a whole lot different Army," he added.

"If you look at it now, how things have changed, it is just unbelievable," said Campbell. "I really thought I was coming back in the Army, but doors kind of opened up, I found my niche and I wouldn't change a thing," he said.

"It has been a great, great run and I've enjoyed every minute of it, he said. "If I could sign up for another 30 years, I would."

"More than anything, I've enjoyed working for a command that is directly responsible for ensuring our nation's combat and support forces are manned, equipped and trained to successfully meet the nation's requirements," said Campbell.

"If you look at the last 10 years, we have deployed more forces in support of combat, natural disaster or peace-keeping operations than at any point in our nation's history."

Reflecting on the "state" of the Army today compared to when he first donned his uniform, Campbell said, "A lot has changed from the post Viet Nam '70s, to the revamping of the Army training strategy in the '80s and the investment in new weapon systems like the M1 tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) to today's modular, highly equipment mobile force. There is no doubt today's Army is more prepared than at any time in our history."

Campbell began his Army career in 1973 as a basic trainee at Fort Knox, Ky. He had subsequent assignments to Fort Gordon, Ga., and Mannheim, Germany, where he ended his uniformed military career after three years. His civil service started in 1976 at an entry level at Fort Stewart, Ga., and culminated with him retiring at the highest level of civil service as an SES (civilian equivalent to a general officer).

His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and a Master of Arts degree in Business Management. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows Program, and he was selected to attend the Army War College.

His awards include the Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Superior Civilian Service Award, the Award for Civilian Service in the Army SES, Presidential Letter of Appreciation, Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation, and ARCOM Certificate of Achievement.

Mr. Campbell is not certain what he will do next, but he said he plans to stay connected with the Army. "I'll continue to be an advocate for encouraging young people who are looking for a rewarding career to look at government service; both active duty and civil service."