ANSBACH, Germany (Dec. 11, 2014) - Knut Ogaard, support operations officer for USAG Ansbach, retired U.S. Army chief warrant officer two, retired government service civilian, ends his career after 48 years of government service.
Ogaard has now retired for the third time from government service.
Ogaard, an immigrant from Norway, entered government service by being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. He retired from the Army in 1987, in Nürnberg, Germany, as a chief warrant officer two. He became a government service civilian in 1987 and served for 22 years and retired in 2009. He remained retired for a total of seven months and then in 2010 he was rehired into government service as a rehired annuitant. Ogaard retired for his third, and perhaps final, time Wednesday.
During his career of government service -- more than 45 years in Germany serving his country as a U.S. Army Soldier and government service civilian -- Ogaard spent less than three years in the United States.
Ogaard posted the following as his farewell email:
"Friends,
"I am finally leaving Germany after almost 48 years, and starting a new phase of my life in California. My work computer will become silent as of COB 10 December 2014.
"The Army has been my life since I was drafted in February 1967 as a 19 year old, and I can say it has been the most rewarding adventure one could ever have. Both as a soldier for 20 years and as a DAC for almost 28 years, it has always been about taking care of soldiers, family members, civilians (US, LN, and Contractors). There is nothing more rewarding than feeling like you might have made a small contribution to their well-being and quality of life.
"Over the years I have worked for and with some of the finest folks on the face of the Earth and they have taught me an awful lot about how we should all strive to do the best job we possibly can. I feel fortunate to have had the best mentorship possible because I worked with and for people that really cared and were not afraid to share their experiences with others.
"One of my hero's was my DISCOM Commander when I was a Master Sergeant in the 1st AD. He was such an inspiration to me because he proved that if you do the right thing, work hard, and treat people with respect, you can accomplish anything. That great gentleman was General Johnnie E. Wilson.
"I want to express a special thanks to the IMCOM-E Leadership (RD and DRD as well as COL Lawler) for allowing me to stay and be a part of the FMC Closure Task Force. As part of the CTF, I worked for and with the best of the best (the CTF was all about teamwork, no superstars).
"I wish all of you all the best, and I am sure our paths will cross sometime in the future, it has been great working for and with all of you.
"Best Regards to all, Knut
"DAC, Retired/CW-2 U.S. Army, Retired"
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