ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- The U.S. Army's Joint Munitions Command hosted the fourth-quarter Retirement and Retreat Community Ceremony, to honor seven Soldiers' military service, here, September 24 at Heritage Hall.
Col. David M. Banian, Chief of Staff, Joint Munitions Command, presided over the ceremony, provided a brief biography of each individual and wished them well as they prepare to transition into retirement.
Col. Banian and Sgt. Maj. Bradley Scott, Army Sustainment Command, presented awards and certificates of retirement to Lt. Col. Tina Gosling, First Army; Lt. Col. Danford Kern, First Army; Lt. Col. Ammon Wynn, First Army; Chaplain (Maj.) Terry Jarvis, Joint Munitions Command; Maj. Nichelle Ruffin, First Army; Maj. Kermit Thomas, Army Sustainment Command; Sgt. 1st Class Saudi Plowdeniz, Army Sustainment Command, to recognize more than 173 years of combined military service to the Department of Defense.
"One hundred and seventy-three combined years is a truly amazing number and highlights the collective dedication and commitment these Department of Defense Soldiers have provided to our Army," said Banian. "I want to personally applaud you for your outstanding efforts over the years."
"Retirement and Retreat Ceremonies are a part of long-standing military tradition," added Banian. "They provide military units an opportunity to acknowledge the selfless service and sacrifices of our retirees as they leave long and honorable careers."
Following the official awards to retirees, recognition was provided to spouses and Family members for supporting their service member's career. Family members received a personal certificate of recognition and a bouquet of flowers or a gift.
Lt. Col. Tina Gosling, a native of Turtlepoint, Pennsylvania, who recently served as the Chief Nurse for the First Army Headquarters, began her career in the United States Army in September 1991.
"The Army has given me so many opportunities," she said. "I would have never thought after finishing the Advanced Officer Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, about where my Army career would take me, but I am so honored and humbled to have served as an Army Nurse Corps Officer for so many years."
Banian concluded by thanking the retirees for their "valued service" and noted all the retirees had served with honor and distinction and made numerous personal sacrifices during their careers.
Following the awards, the Retreat Ceremony retired the colors for the duty day to the sound of a howitzer boom and the casing of the United States flag by the color guard.
The Quarterly Retirement and Retreat ceremony is a joint effort hosted by a major tenant organization on the Rock Island Arsenal. The Joint Munitions Command was this year's fourth-quarter host.
The Joint Munitions Command has a mission to produce small-, medium- and large-caliber ammunition items for the Department of Defense. Its core competencies are to produce, ship, store and demilitarize Class V conventional ammunition.
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