In 1985, Sheila Crutcher was part of a work-training program on Redstone Arsenal; it was a three-year commitment that eventually led to a lifelong career and will culminate with her retirement next month.
The Huntsville, Alabama, native said she started her Department of the Army civilian career with the U.S. Army Missile Command Finance and Accounting Office. In 1999, Crutcher began working in what would end up being her current and final position as the management assistant to the command sergeant major for the newly renamed U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.
In addition to assisting the AMCOM senior enlisted Soldier, Crutcher also supports the AMCOM aviation branch maintenance officer, missile maintenance officer and chaplain.
She said the biggest part of her job is coordinating travel and processing vouchers, but she also manages the command sergeant major’s calendar, prepares daily read-ahead folders, coordinates meetings and speaking engagements — basically any task that supports the office and keeps it running. Keeping the office running was particularly difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Crutcher managed it virtually.
“COVID was different, but it worked well for me,” she said. “Of course, you miss coming in and seeing the people, but the [command] sergeant major and I tried to talk at least once or twice a day.”
Knowing retirement was approaching and wanting to honor Crutcher’s 37 years of service, former AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Todd Royar submitted her for the 2022 Department of the Army Civilian of the Year Award for Supporting Staff, presented by the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. Crutcher was selected as the winner and honored during an awards ceremony held August 23.
“I was surprised by the nomination, but it was a good surprised,” she said. “I try my best to be faithful in my job, to be dedicated in what I’m doing and to be well-organized because it’s all about the overall success of AMCOM and the mission.”
As she nears retirement Crutcher said she does not have plans, but anyone who knows her, knows how important her faith is to her. She said there is work to be done and is waiting to be guided.
“I’ve enjoyed the journey and I know God,” she said. “This was his good plan and for me to come to that place of retirement is even better. I know I’ve got work to do for the kingdom.”
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