WIESBADEN, Germany - Four senior Army noncommissioned officers are joining the ranks of the retired. But even without a uniform the NCOs still plan to serve their country.
With a combined nine decades of service, Master Sgt. Jemel Kyles, Master Sgt. Johnny Richardson, Sgt. 1st Class Arthur James and Sgt. 1st Class Harvey Etheredge reflect a vast array of talents, leadership and experience one might expect from a lifetime of service.
After 27 years in the Army, Kyles won't be hanging up his uniform. The Chicago native and Bronze Star recipient plans to move to Victorville, Calif., to work as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor.
He also wants to do outreach work with the homeless.
"I've always been interested in helping other men to become better," said Kyles. "It's that strong man, strong family bond I'm working toward."
After 23 years with the U.S. Army, Richardson will stay in Wiesbaden to work as a civilian information technologist.
"If I had to, I would do it all over again," said Richardson who spent the last 11 years serving with the 1st Armored Division. Richardson also has four deployments under his belt - three in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian.
After 22 years of service, James will continue his career as a medical instructor for the military taking a job at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to train future medics.
"It was fun and I enjoy that stuff," James said of being a medical instructor.
As the battalion aid station NCO in charge with the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division, James served as the personal adviser for the medical officer in charge on all enlisted-related matters.
After 20 years in the Army, Etheredge plans to stay in the "techie world" following a career based on his own military training as a microwave systems operator/maintainer.
"I loved it," said Etheredge of his career that has taken him from Fort Polk, La., to Seoul, Korea, and three different duty stations in Germany. "It's been great fun."
But the best part, said Etheredge, "was raising my family and children in adventure."
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