With a combined 283 years of service to the nation, seven Soldiers and three civilians retired at the Fort Rucker Quarterly Retirement Ceremony Oct. 25.

Col. George Ferido, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, hosted the event and was assisted by Command Sgt. Maj. Johnathan Logan, 110th Avn. Bde. command sergeant major.

Short write-ups on each retiree follow.

LT. COL RICHARD W. ALEXANDER II
Alexander, the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence commanding general's liaison to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command commanding general at Redstone Arsenal, entered military service in 1990 as a cannon crewmember. In 1993, he received his commission from Xavier University ROTC as an Aviation officer. He served multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said the highlight of his career was its length and the opportunity to meet, serve with and befriend some of the nation's best and brightest. He and his wife, Jerrica, have six children, a cat and two mischievous Jack Russell Terriers. They plan to reside in Owens Cross Roads.

CW5 JEFFREY T. KIMM
Kimm, U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization command chief warrant officer and brigade standardization officer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, entered military service in 1988 as an infantry rifleman. In 1996 he was selected for Army Warrant Officer Flight Training. He served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He said the highlight of his career was being the Task Force Saber standardization officer while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He and his wife, Paulette, have three children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.

CW5 SCOTT J. VANHOVELN
VanHoveln, 116th Military Intelligence Brigade Aviation mission survivability officer at Fort Gordon, Georgia, entered military service in 1989 as a combat engineer. He was selected for Army Warrant Officer Flight Training in 1999. He served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He said the highlight of his career was serving as a standardization officer and Fixed-Wing branch chief at the Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization at Fort Rucker. He and his wife, Margaret, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.

MASTER SGT. LILNELL A. STORM
Storm, 926th Engineer Brigade health readiness NCO and sexual assault response coordinator, entered military service in 1999 as a combat medic. She served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. She said the highlight of her career was marrying her wonderful husband, Joseph, and trusting God to direct her path and career. They plan to reside in lower Alabama.

SGT. 1ST CLASS BRANDON H. SPROUSE
Sprouse, D Company, 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment first sergeant, entered military service in 1996 as an infantryman and later reenlisted as a Chinook mechanic. He served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Amy, and having two wonderful children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.

SGT. 1ST CLASS BRITTINA L. WILLIAMS
Williams, senior supply specialist at Fort Rucker, entered military service in 1999 as an automated logistic specialist and later reclassified as a unit supply specialist. She served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. She said the highlight of her career was returning from deployments safely to her family. She plans to reside in Enterprise.

STAFF SGT. RYAN M. BOYER
Boyer, Aviation Center Logistics Command quality assurance evaluator, entered military service in 2000 as a heavy wheel mechanic and later reenlisted as a Black Hawk mechanic. He served multiple combat tours in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Stephanie, and having two wonderful children. They plan to reside in Huntsville.

EDWARD M. AND DEBRA F. BROWN
The Browns retired together at the ceremony. Edward, Fort Rucker Garrison Resource Management Office chief of Manpower Management and Agreements Division, served on active duty from 1974-76 and entered civil service immediately afterwards. He said the highlights of his career were conducting Army manpower staffing standard studies to improve efficiencies, and having the opportunity to mentor and coach others.

Debra, Fort Rucker Commissary supervisor store associate, entered civil service as a sales store checker. She said the highlights of her career were having the opportunity to provide direct, face-to-face assistance to Soldiers and family members on a daily basis, and witnessing the career growth and development of associates who served with her.

They have two children and five grandchildren. They plan to reside in Dothan.

HARRIS WHITAKER
Whitaker, Fort Rucker Office of the Staff Judge Advocate legal specialist, served on active duty from 1982-2005, and entered civil service in 2006. He worked in the tax center through the 2008 tax season when he was hired as a legal specialist. Whitaker said his favorite hobbies are woodworking, specializing in furniture restoration; computers; jazz festivals; and, most importantly, spending time with his family. He and his wife, Rose, have three children and five grandchildren. They plan to reside in Enterprise.