FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- "Humans are more important than hardware," is the first of the five Army Special Operations Forces Truths, and this was evident during a ceremony hosted by U.S. Army Special Operations Command at the John F. Kennedy Auditorium, Dec. 2, 2015.
USASOC recognized Department of the Army civilians in 11 categories during the annual Special Operations Department of the Army Civilian Award Ceremony. The event, in its second year, recognizes DA Civilians, nominated by their peers and leadership, for their outstanding achievements and accomplishments throughout the year.
"USASOC is a truly unique organization, unlike any other military command or civilian institution in the world. At over 34,000 personnel, this command has a scope and breadth of responsibility that is both impressive and daunting … and it requires a team of military and civilian professionals that can operate at an extremely high level of effectiveness, every day, with very little guidance or direction," said Lt. Gen. Ken Tovo, USASOC commanding general.
"The men and women seated here in the front two rows this morning represent the best of our command … and their accomplishments offer only a small sampling of the outstanding successes that our civilian workforce achieves on a daily basis around the globe," Tovo said.
The top award, the Charles E. Pimble Lifetime Achievement Award, was given to Sheilia Dudley, secretary to the battalion commander and command group, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.
"I call it the 'Oscar' of the SODAC awards. It highlights the accomplishments I've made in conjunction with the great men and women I've worked with throughout my career," Dudley said. "I've been in federal service for 35 years, and this is truly one of the highlights of my life."
The Lifetime Achievement Award is named for Charles E. Pimble, a long-time USASOC employee who retired earlier this year. He was on hand to present the award to Dudley.
"I was asked to come here today and present the Charles E. Pimble Lifetime Achievement Award," said Pimble, who served as secretary of general staff for USASOC. "I was shocked and surprised when I first learned of the award, but it was an honor, and it is an honor to present it to the recipient today."
The award, he said, looks at many factors.
"They look at your work ethic within the command, your support for the Soldiers, your commitment, your dedication to duty, and even your involvement with the outside community," Pimble said.
Dudley received the Lifetime achievement for her achievements throughout her life. Her civil service career began in 1981 as a secretary to the commanding general and four area chiefs of staff for the 2nd Reserve Officer Training Corps Region at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
One her most proud accomplishments was helping establish a memorial to Army Rangers. In 2002, she helped coordinate efforts with the assistance of the Savannah community to raise money to build a memorial dedicated to all 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Soldiers killed in combat.
The memorial was dedicated in October 2007. Fifty two names have been etched in the memorial under her purview as project manager.
Among her other accomplishments, Dudley was named an Honorary Ranger by the 75th Ranger Regiment, 2014 SODAC award for GS7-10 Employee of the Year, and Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Employee of the Year.
In addition to Dudley, awardees were:
• Byron Castleman, Executive of the Year: Castleman retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel with 22 years of service. His civil service career began in 2007 as an intelligence specialist for Joint Special Operations Command. In 2012, he was hired as the deputy for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2, USASOC.
• Abigail Daniels, Supervisor of the Year: Daniels is a native of Bellport, New York. She received her commission in 2004 from the United States Military Academy as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps and served on active duty for more than five years. Her civil service career began in 2009 as an awards clerk actions branch chief for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, USASOC.
• Valerie Arthur, GS12 and above Employee of the Year: Arthur's civil service career began as a Department of the Navy acquisition intern. She has supported Army aviation for 13 years where she is currently a contracting officer supporting research and development and testing of state of the art aviation equipment. Arthur anticipates organizational requirements and continually ensures the organization is prepared before a crisis occurs.
• Kenneth D. Leavell Sr., GS11 Employee of the Year: Leavell retired from the U.S. Army with 22 years of service. His civil service career began in 2013 as a logistics management specialist for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Systems Integration Office, USASOC.
• Ronald B. Wood, GS7-10 Employee of the Year: Wood is a native of Pensacola, Florida. He retired from the U.S. Army as a sergeant first class with 20 years of service. His civil service career began in 2003 as a human resources assistant for the 3rd Infantry Division. In 2008, he was hired as a human resources assistant for the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, USASOC.
• Linda Rodgers, GS6 and below Employee of the Year: Rodgers is a native of Dubuque, Iowa. Her civil service career began in 1980 as a clerk for Outdoor Recreation, Installation Management Command. In 1995, she was hired as a secretary for the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), USASOC.
• Victoria Otero, Administrative Professional of the Year: Otero is a native of Bronx, New York. Her civil service career began in 1993 in Wiesbaden, Germany. In 2009, she was hired as the executive assistant for the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, USASOC.
• Richard P. Forgach, Wage Grade Employee of the Year: Forgach is a native of North Carolina. He retired from the U.S. Army as a parachute rigger with 22 years of service. His civil service career began in 2004 as a parachute maintenance worker/supervisor for the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), USASOC.
• Michael A. Holcomb, Unsung Hero: Holcomb retired from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service. His civil service career began in 2012 as a budget analyst for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller, United States Army Special Operations Command.
• Joint Armament Facility, Team of the Year: The Joint Armament Facility (JAF) provides world class weapons, maintenance, training and logistical support for USAJFKSWCS, USASOC, and SOCOM elements while also serving as the proponent agency for the USSOCOM Foreign and Nonstandard Weapons and Munitions Program. The team averages 20 years each of SOF weapons and logistics knowledge that has a positive impact on training outcomes.
"These civilians received awards in their respective categories as recognition for the extra efforts they made that have had a positive effect on fellow employees, an ongoing commitment to the organization and the USASOC mission," said event organizer Dyonne Canamas, human resource specialist, USASOC G-1.
"I felt humbled and appreciated by my supervisor and team members that believe I am among the best at USASOC," said Otero, recipient of the administrative professional of the year award. "They took the time to submit the nomination and thought that I deserved this award, and it really means a lot to me."
During the ceremony, a video production was displayed on the televisions in the auditorium showcasing how closely civilian personnel work with SOF Soldiers, and explaining why they are essential to the success and preparation of ARSOF.
"This is just a fantastic event. The civilian award program that the G1 (Personnel Directorate) here puts together is just unmatched," said Castleman, award recipient for executive of the year. "It's the best I've seen in the Army, and I've been around for about 30 years now."
"The best thing that civilians bring to the table is continuity and a wealth of experience," Castleman said. "And I think that in this command, Soldiers recognize that. It's a great symbiotic relationship that we have."
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