REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Maj. Gen. Michelle M. Rose, Army Materiel Command assistant deputy commanding general for National Guard Affairs, closed the chapter on her 35-year Army career at a retirement ceremony held at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, Feb. 17 in Rose’s honor.
The installation is the headquarters for schools that train the Army’s sustainer Soldiers, which was a fitting environment for Rose to recount her legacy of logistics-focused service as she heads into retirement.
Rose got her start in the military through Army ROTC, where she met her husband Barry and bonded over being avid sailors. After graduating from North Carolina State University and earning her commission through its ROTC battalion, her first assignment as an Army officer was to unload cargo ships during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
With a career spanning over three decades, Rose has played a pivotal role in shaping the Army's response to some of the most significant global challenges from Operation Restore Hope to Operation Enduring Freedom. She has served in numerous command positions, including commander of the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and division transportation officer of the 29th Infantry Division. Rose's bravery, strategic vision and commitment to welfare of Soldiers have earned her numerous awards and decorations.
"No matter your rank, whether officer or enlisted, you have a team, and you need to take care of your team," she said, reflecting on leadership lessons learned. "You have to understand everyone on your team, what makes them tick and what challenges they're facing."
Rose cited her deployment to Shindand, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as a standout milestone during her career.
"We had to build a base from scratch, with nothing but a runway and no buildings," she said. "We built a logistics and sustainment hub to support Special Forces, coalition forces and the local community. But I'm most proud that I was able to get my team home safely, despite the dangers and challenges we faced."
Many of Rose’s accomplishments and qualities as a leader were praised by ceremony host Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, AMC deputy commanding general and acting commander.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice and leadership. Your record is a testament of the power, resilience and dedication to the mission and the importance of fostering relationships,” said Mohan.
Also, a graduate and ROTC alumnus from a university in North Carolina, Mohan discussed the deep-rooted ties the Rose family has with North Carolina State University, the institution Rose, her husband and three daughters all attended.
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up,” Mohan shared the famous quote from late NC State coach Jim Valvano that he felt captured Rose’s career, “And this is what Maj. Gen. Rose has done as a leader.”
As Rose stood before everyone on the podium and reflected on her time in service, her thoughts turned to the multitude of individuals who had supported her along the way, both in and out of uniform, but namely her family. She recognized her brother, retired Cmdr. Eric Mills, who served in the Coast Guard and couldn’t have a traditional retirement ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One day you will retire, but your family will always be there before, during and after,” she said.
In her final message to wrap up a lifetime of selfless service, Rose said, "In leadership, I've always emphasized, 'Always try to leave the Army in a better place than you found it.' I feel like our U.S. Army is in a better place than when I found it in 1990."
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