REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama – The commander of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is not only an expert at managing the Army’s space and missile defense assets; he occasionally moonlights as an expert pitcher on request.
Lt. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, commanding general, USASMDC, threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the Milwaukee Brewers’ Military Appreciation Night game against the Detroit Tigers, May 31. The Brewers won the game 3-2 in the 10th inning.
During the game, Bob “Mr. Baseball” Uecker, play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Brewers’ radio broadcasts, invited Karbler into the announcers’ booth and thanked him and the men and women in the military for their service.
“It is always good to see you,” Uecker said. “We met a few years back when Dan was kind enough to come up in the booth at that time and we have been friends ever since. To have him here today, throw out the first pitch and get a chance to visit with him is always a big plus.”
Karbler told Uecker that USASMDC organizes, trains, equips and deploys Army space and global missile defense forces to conduct worldwide space and missile defense operations in support of the joint force.
“We’re doing great, Ueck,” Karbler said. “Our job is 24/7 missile warning, satellite communications and missile defense and we can’t afford to take a day off. We’ve done just fine and the American public should be very proud of the Soldiers and civilians for Space and Missile Defense Command.”
Uecker, who served two years in the Army after high school, said that had he not been able to play baseball he would have stayed in the military. He said anytime the military needs anything from him, he is on board.
“We sure do appreciate your time as a veteran and your visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Center when you got a chance to go and see our wounded warriors,” Karbler said. “I know it made their day for you and members of the Brewers to visit with them.”
Karbler explained that the Army is conducting its “Army National Hiring Days” campaign with the goal of hiring 1,700 new Soldiers by June 14. He said that USASMDC is an organization that respects all team members, sees value in diversity, provides a safe work environment, builds high performing teams and provides opportunity for personal growth.
“We are in the midst of Army National Hiring Days so if you are interested in science, technology, engineering or math, and you have that proclivity, we run some of the most technological systems in the Department of Defense at SMDC, so we would love to have you,” Karbler said.
Karbler said remembrances such as Memorial Day are a good time to recognize people are the Army’s greatest strength and their number one priority is taking care of Soldiers, veterans, civilians and families.
“Thanks to the Brewers for what they do on Military Appreciation Day as they remember those who went before us,” Karbler said.
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