FORT McPHERSON, Ga. (March 12, 2010) - The Army bid an official farewell today to Troy E. "Gil" Gilleland Jr. in recognition his almost 39 years of dedicated federal service that ranged from enlisted Soldier to non-commissioned officer to Army officer to Department of the Army civilian to a member of the Senior Executive Service. As a Soldier he went from E-1 to E-6 and from O-1 to 0-6.
His retirement ceremony was held here at the headquarters of the Army's largest command, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), where he had served as the deputy chief of staff G-1 since June 2005.
"It's hard for me to leave the Army because I love contributing to a bigger cause than myself," he said, noting, "The Army is doing important work providing security for the country and peace in the world."
A native of Hickory, N.C., Gilleland began his Army career in 1971 as an enlisted Soldier. He served his first six years as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was commissioned an Adjutant General second lieutenant upon his completion of Officer Candidate School as the Distinguished Leadership and Honor Graduate.
He served in a wide variety of jobs and specialties around the world, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He retired in 2004 as a colonel and FORSCOM budget officer.
As a result of his career accomplishments, Gilleland was inducted in the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Ga., in 2004.
He served briefly as the director of resource management for Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Southeast Region before being assigned as the FORSCOM deputy G-1, and appointed to Senior Executive Service in June 2005.
Three months after becoming the deputy G-1, Gilleland was also named the G-1 when the general officer holding that position retired.
"For close to a year, I led the organization through the birth of ARFORGEN (Army Force Generation), the beginning of the Army's manning at the brigade level and the announcement of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) that meant moving FORSCOM from here to Fort Bragg," he recalled with pride.
Because Gilleland had come from North Carolina and had spent time at Fort Bragg, the FORSCOM commanding general appointed him as the liaison and FORSCOM representative with the eleven-county Fort Bragg community.
"After the BRAC dust settles, I think we'll find the Army has done the right thing getting its commands back on large installations. It will get our people closer to the action, to seeing Soldiers and what they do," he said.
Gilleland holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University, a Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.
He has also completed post-graduate work at George Washington University as well as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society for high scholastic achievement in the graduate school of business.
During his service as a non-commissioned officer (NCO), he was a Distinguished Graduate in both the 82d Airborne Division Reconnaissance/Commando (RECONDO) Course and the XVIII Airborne Corps NCO Academy. During his commissioned service, he graduated from the Officer Basic Course, Advanced Course (Distinguished Graduate), U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.
His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, the Bronze Star Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.
He was also awarded two Kuwaiti Liberation Medals, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three campaign stars, two National Defense Service Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), the Global War on Terrorism Medal, two Overseas Service Medals, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. He also earned the U.S. and Canadian parachutists badges, as well as the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Gilleland and his wife Tracye plan to spend his retirement between their homes in Peachtree City, Ga., and Holden Beach, N.C.
When not playing golf or riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, he intends to do volunteer work that keeps him in touch with Soldiers and their Families.
He is also looking at joining a private consulting firm that would offer the occasional opportunity to instruct government organizations on subjects such as comptrollership, personnel management and leadership.
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