REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command bid farewell to "twice the citizen," June 22 at the command's headquarters in the Villar Room.
AMC's Assistant Deputy Commanding General for Reserve Affairs Brig. Gen. Michael A. Mann retired from the U.S. Army Reserves after more than 34 years of service both as a Soldier and civilian.
"The service and the sacrifice of General Mann certainly makes him twice the citizen," said AMC Commander Gen. Dennis L. Via quoting the Army Reserve motto. "Balancing two very successful careers, civilian and military, can be more than challenging, but General Mann embodies that saying."
Mann serves as a civilian with the Department of Commerce where he is an economist assisting with the nation's preparation of exports and imports in international trade statistics.
"You might wonder how one has a career as a Soldier and another as an economist. For Michael Mann, it all stems from a young age," Via said.
Mann's passion for economics started as a young boy, when he started reading the Wall Street Journal and the Economist Magazine which he has been a subscriber of for 40 years. His desire to serve, though, came from his father, Irwin Mann, who was a veteran of World War II and a lover of military history, music and films.
"Irwin instilled in his son a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve our nation and protect our freedoms," Via said.
Mann echoed the impact his father had on him.
"I grew up inspired by my father and his service; he would have me read military history. We would watch military films, and we also had military music throughout the house," said Mann.
For Mann, the end of his Army career was a chance to thank his family, friends and leadership.
"Today is the culmination of 34 years of service, and what an honor it has been to serve," Mann said. "There couldn't be a more perfect way to end a career."
Mann recalled that during his career he has ended every military ceremony with a salute and saying he was "ready to get to work."
"I can't think of what the equivalent would be for this, so let me end with it's been an honor to serve with all of you and God speed," he said.
Mann and his wife Connie will retire in the northern Virginia area, where he plans to spend more time with friends and travel.
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