CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- The community said farewell to Cheryle Hess, deputy garrison commander to U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, as she retired from 32 years of government service Dec. 1 at Caserne Daumerie on Chièvres, Belgium. Hess served as the top civilian advisor to the garrison commander for over two-and-a-half years.
As friends and co-workers gathered for a retirement ceremony in the community auditorium, Army Col. Kurt Connell, garrison commander, spoke about Hess' mentorship to others and him. He remarked that her career as an Army officer, both active duty and reservist, and civilian leader gave her well-rounded knowledge of U.S. Army Installation Management Command's mission.
"She understands the IMCOM mission from a number of different perspectives. There isn't any part of this business that she doesn't know and doesn't know well. She, more than anyone else, coached me in that first year and a half [that I was here]. Any successes I had, I can attribute to Cheryle," he said.
"She always took the time to teach, coach and mentor to make all of us better. Her impact will last for hundreds of years to come. I'm not speaking with hyperbole there. If you take the knowledge she gave you, you can pass it on to your subordinates and they will pass it on. Her influence will last well after her lifetime and well beyond my lifetime."
During the ceremony, Hess received the Meritorious Service Medal. In addition, she was presented a folded American flag, which signifies her retirement from government service. The flag was previously flown at the garrison's headquarters building that day.
Hess spoke to the audience about how the U.S. Army provided her with many career opportunities that she would have never received in the civilian world.
"Looking back at my entire life, the smartest thing I ever did was join the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps in college. It was the first year that it was open to women nationwide," she said.
Hess commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC at Michigan State University in December 1976. Her long career includes serving two tours in Afghanistan. She retired as a lieutenant colonel.
She began her Army civilian career with U.S. Army Support Command in Hawaii. She then held various assignments in Heidelberg, Germany, and Washington, D.C. After completing the Defense Senior Leader Development Program, she was selected as the deputy to the garrison commander for USAG Benelux in 2015.
"My career was both challenging and rewarding. I did my best, and I was well-rewarded in my career progression and the friendships I made. I will be forever grateful for all the wonderful people here and whom I had the opportunity to work with," she said.
She thanked the audience for their dedication and hard work during her time at the garrison.
"I pay tribute to your dedication, your commitment and your professionalism. I'm very fond of what we have accomplished together in the last two-and-a-half years," she said. "We've gone through some tough challenges. Our success is a testimony to each and every one here. We are still working hard to take the best care of Soldiers and families. We created a real team here, working together for the greater good."
Hess and her husband plan to retire in northern Virginia and spend more time with their children and grandchildren.
Thomas Joyce assumed responsibility as the deputy to the garrison commander. He is responsible for the management and execution of a variety of installation management activities supporting the U.S. and NATO in multiple locations and countries throughout the region. Prior to this assignment, Joyce served as the first chief, human resources division at IMCOM Directorate-Training.
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