FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Eight Soldiers and two civilians with a collective 244 years of service were honored at the installation retirement ceremony held Friday, April 17 at Cochise Theater.
Host of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Richard Appelhans, commanding general of U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence & Fort Huachuca, began his speech by highlighting the nearly collective 250 years of service among the retirees.
“As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s fitting to recognize a similar milestone of dedication,” Appelhans said. “Combined, these retirees represent 250 years of unwavering commitment to the United States Army and the nation. That’s not just a measure of time; it’s a measure of impact.”
The retirees honored at the ceremony include Col. Joshua Micko, the senior U.S. Army Reserve advisor for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, with 30 years of service; Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Worley, manager of the 35F Warrant Officer Intermediate Course, Bravo Company, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, with 27 years of service; Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Paris, course manager for the Warrant Officer Training Branch, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, with 21 years of service; Command Sgt. Maj. Isaac Cummings III, commandant of the Noncomissioned Officer Academy, with 26 years of service; Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Riemann, deputy course manager and senior instructor for the Information Collection Planners course, Delta Company, 304th Military Intelligence Battalion, with 24 years of service; Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Ross, operations NCOIC for the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Test Directorate, Operational Evaluation Command, with 20 years of service; Staff Sgt. Steven Fitzhugh, operation NCOIC, Bravo Company, 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, with 20 years of service; Sgt. Nelda Ruebush, supply clerk, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, with seven years of service; Adam Dottle, Army civilian professional and a U.S. Army counterintelligence special agent, with 36 years of service; Kevin Blackwell, architect/community planner, Directorate of Public Works, with 33 years of service.
Appelhans continued by speaking about some of the words of wisdom retirees relayed to him when asked what advice they would give to those still serving.
“Maintain your discipline, slow down and think, take ownership of your responsibilities, and never stop learning your craft,” Appelhans said. “[The retirees] remind us that people matter, and our primary duty as a leader is to invest in our people. […] Take every opportunity the Army gives you and always remember to take care of your family and yourself.”
Next, Appelhans spoke about the important role families play in the career of a Soldier and spoke directly to the spouses by thanking them for their unwavering support.
“Military families are the unsung heroes of every Soldier’s career,” Appelhans said. “[…] To the spouses, I want to extend a special ‘thank you’ to you. Your unwavering support and love are the quiet, steady force, that hold your families together, and your sacrifices don’t go unnoticed.”
Appelhans concluded his speech by highlighting the impact the Soldiers and civilians had on the Army and our nation.
“The careers of these ten great Americans have been defined by duty and honor,” Appelhans said. “Their time in uniform has concluded, but they’ll always be a Soldier for life. On behalf of Fort Huachuca, the United States Army, and a grateful nation, thank you for your service, your leadership, and for building a legacy that will endure future generations.”
Following the speech from Applehans, each retiree was called on stage, along with their family members, to receive their handshake and final salute from Applehans, and to provide gifts to their family members.
Before the conclusion of the ceremony, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Townsend conducted a final roll call to signify each retiree leaving duty.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Army song, and Old Soldiers Never Die. The retirees and their families were then thanked by friends, families, leaders, co-workers and fellow Soldiers.
(Editor's note: The complete album is available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/us_army_fort_huachuca/albums/72177720333227196/.)
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, Electronic Proving Ground, Joint Interoperability Test Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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