The Army bid an official farewell March 12 to Troy E. Gilleland Jr. in recognition his almost 39 years of dedicated federal service. Gilleland's service ranged from an enlisted Soldier to a commissioned Army officer and from a DA Civilian employee to a member of the Senior Executive Service.
His retirement ceremony was held at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) headquarters, where he served as the deputy chief of staff for G-1 since June 2005.
"It's hard for me to leave the Army because I love contributing to a bigger cause than myself," Gilleland 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 as a second lieutenant upon his completion of Officer Candidate School as the distinguished leadership and honor graduate.
He served in a variety of jobs and specialties around the world, including operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He retired in 2004 as a colonel serving as FORSCOM's budget officer.
As a result of his career accomplishments, Gilleland was inducted in the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning in 2004. As a Civilian employee, Gilleland served briefly as the director of resource management for the Installation Management Command-Southeast Region before being assigned as the FORSCOM deputy for G-1, and was appointed to the SES in June 2005.
Three months after becoming the deputy G-1, Gilleland was 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," said Gilleland.
Gilleland served as the liaison and FORSCOM representative with the 11-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 and his wife, Tracye, plan to spend his retirement between their homes in Peachtree City and Holden Beach, N.C.
Gilleland said he also intends to do volunteer work that keeps him in touch with Soldiers and their Families.
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