'Simply proud to serve'

By Ms. Kara Wall (AMC)April 8, 2015

Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

One of the Army's highest ranking female officers will closeout nearly 35 years of military service Friday.

Lt. Gen. Patricia McQuistion, Army Materiel Command deputy commanding general and Redstone Arsenal senior commander, is set to retire in an April 10 ceremony at AMC headquarters. McQuistion is now one of just five active duty Army three-star female generals.

McQuistion's love for the Army began at an early age as one of seven children in a dedicated military family. Her father, a World War II and Korean War veteran, served 26 years in the Army.

"We played Army as children," McQuistion said reflecting on her childhood. "I joke that my only break in service was those few years from when dad retired until I joined ROTC."

She loved it then and still loves being an Army family, but a career in the military wasn't her original plan.

Almost by chance, an Army master sergeant approached McQuistion while she was waiting in line to enroll for her first semester of classes at the University of Akron in Ohio. He spoke to her about ROTC and the possibility of a stipend and scholarship.

"I liked the idea of ROTC and told the sergeant that I would take the one-hour class if I could find the course number in the catalog before reaching the front of the line," McQuistion said.

The one-hour class turned into a scholarship and a four-year commitment to the Army, during which she met and married her husband and biggest supporter- retired Army Col. Leif Johnson.

"I kept signing up for more time with the Army," McQuistion said. "I didn't have to, but I loved it."

The couple continued to serve, some assignments together- others apart, all while raising a family and going wherever the Army called.

McQuistion said she enjoyed every assignment and approached each one as an opportunity to learn and grow.

"I took every job the Army offered, and I did my best. I always kept the attitude that if this is what the Army needs me to do, then this is what I'll do," McQuistion said.

"Some days were hard, but I loved every location I served. Most of all, I enjoyed working with the people," she said.

When she and her husband were serving, McQuistion said the everyday family challenges were the most difficult.

"Homework, sporting events and more than anything, 'what's for dinner?' were the hardest parts of raising a family while on different assignments," McQuistion said.

McQuistion and Johnson know full well the sacrifices of military families.

"I never wanted to be away from my children," McQuistion said. "It's difficult just thinking about the sacrifices today's military families make while serving multiple deployments."

McQuistion and Johnson created a "BRAT" certificate of appreciation with their own acronym to bestow on military children and grandchildren.

"Occasionally missed birthdays, holiday, school and sporting events are the cost of a life as an Army Family," the certificate reads. "Through it all, your continued and untiring support reflects your Bravery, Resilience, Adaptability and Tolerance (BRAT)."

Over the span of her career, the three-star general held seven commands, was a senior commander five times, and was stationed around the world all while juggling being a mom, a supportive military spouse and a competent Army leader. To her, it is all she knows, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I have the best support system," McQuistion said.

McQuistion steadily rose through the ranks while completing unique assignments, including an early stint as a protocol officer, and later as a speechwriter and then special staff assistant to the Army Chief of Staff.

McQuistion's first exposure to the Army's business operations came in 2001 when she took command of Tobyhanna Army Depot.

"I was amazed by the sheer power of the Army's Organic Industrial Base," McQuistion said. "I made it my mission to educate as many people as possible about the Army's massive business operations, working capital funds, and OIB."

Following her time at Tobyhanna, McQuistion spent several assignments in the Army Materiel Command family, including roles as executive officer to the deputy commanding general, commanding general of Army Materiel Command Forward-Southwest Asia/C-4 in Kuwait, and the commanding general of Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Illinois.

"My time in Kuwait was the hardest job, but also the one where I grew the most," McQuistion said. "The assignment broadened my perspective and taught me about logistical support during wartime."

Since August 2012, McQuistion has served as Army Materiel Command's deputy commanding general and chief of staff where she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the command including the Organic Industrial Base, Logistic Readiness Centers and major subordinate commands.

During her tenure at AMC, McQuistion also served as senior commander of Redstone Arsenal. In that role, she constantly interfaced with the community.

"Being in the Army, I've spent time in communities around the world, and I can truly say this community is something special," McQuistion said. "This is a place that feels good about itself for a lot of reasons."

"I appreciate everyone at Team Redstone - all 72 organizations varying in size from two people to thousands," she said. "I appreciate their willingness and cooperation to be part of the team."

Managing a Federal Center of Excellence of 39,000 employees is no small task, and McQuistion has aimed at strengthening and growing partnerships.

"As a leader, I feel it's important to be inclusive, to educate, to bring people together," she said.

McQuistion said she enjoyed meeting people in the community and making personal connections with veterans and military families.

"The nicest thing is to hear about others," McQuistion said. "It is such a lift to shake a hand and make a personal connection with a veteran or someone who has been touched by the military."

Looking back, her advice to young Soldiers is the same she has upheld since she was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

"Competence, dedication and an underlying idealism of the Army values are the keys to success," she said. "Being a Soldier is not only about the uniform you put on. It's not just a suit. It is about doing the right thing. Being a Soldier means you exude the Army values from the inside out."

Looking forward to her retirement, McQuistion said she sees endless possibilities.

"I don't know what's next, and that's exciting," McQuistion said. "When I first commissioned, I couldn't even dream of all the experiences I've had with the Army. I'm hoping this new journey proves to be the same."

McQuistion said she is thankful for the experiences the Army afforded her.

"The Army has provided me a world of opportunities that wouldn't have been available to me in any other endeavor that I would have ever considered," McQuistion said. "I am simply proud that I was allowed to serve."

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