Army Materiel Command Soldiers lowered the American flag here Friday in an official Retreat ceremony marking the end of a 35-year career for the organization's top civilian.
John B. Nerger, who served the past four years as the executive deputy to the commanding general, said it was Soldiers who inspired his career as a civil servant.
"I'm humbly and sincerely grateful to the American Soldier," Nerger told the crowd of more than 300 family members, friends, colleagues and service members. "It's because of you I've never had to wonder whether what I did mattered."
Nerger spoke directly to Soldiers, saying his nearly four decades in service to them was an investment in his character.
"It gave me the maximum amount of time for your honorable values and attributes to rub off on me."
Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC's commanding general said Soldiers and civilians strive everyday to live up to the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
"If there's any individual today who embodies those values, it's John Nerger," Via said, calling his executive deputy an incomparable and trusted advisor. "It was a personal and professional privilege to serve with you."
Nerger, who is the civilian equivalent in rank to a three-star general, also held the distinction as the only civilian deputy to an Army four-star general. In that position, he managed more than 60,000 civilian employees including two -thirds of the Army's engineers, scientists and contracting experts.
His past roles included a series of leadership positions including assignments with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and the Department of the Army.
"There are those who wonder, 'Why now?'" Nerger said. "I say to them, it's best to leave when no one wants you to go instead of them wondering what took you so long."
Nerger, who entered federal service as an intern, said he is glad the opportunities that were afforded to him remain available to others.
Before he embarked on his career, Nerger said it was his parents and his own humble beginnings that set him on a successful path.
"They didn't have much," he said of his parents, "but they gave me everything."
Those gifts, Nerger said, included his faith, which gave him hope, meaning and purpose. They also gave
him his work ethic and taught him the importance of family.
Nerger said the luckiest day of his life was the day he met his wife, Kathy.
"She has shared in my sacrifices and shares equally in all my successes," he said.
Nerger said he and Kathy will remain in the Tennessee Valley for the near future.
"But now, my first order of business is to turn off the alarm and turn in the Blackberry."
Related Links:
http://www.army.mil/article/146949/Senior_civilian_closes_out_storied_career_supporting_Soldiers/
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