MILAN, Tenn. -- On September 27, 2011, Brig. Gen. Gustave Perna, commander for the Joint Munitions & Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and the Joint Munitions Command, presented the Commander's Award for Civilian Service to Rene' Arrington, management services specialist for the Milan Army Ammunition Plant government staff. Arrington retired from federal service on September 30, 2011, with more than 30 years of dedication to the nation's armed forces.
For many, Arrington is like the bricks and mortar that form the walls of the headquarters building. After devoting 25 years of her career to the Milan plant, she has become a part of the place, a permanent fixture, which holds the place together and keeps it standing.
In fact, Arrington has supported two headquarters buildings. She even keeps a brick from the original structure, which was once Whithorne School, in her filing cabinet.
Lt. Col. Norbert Fochs, commander for MLAAP, expresses, "This plant would not be the success it is today without employees like Rene'. She is leaving behind a high standard for my staff to live up to."
So when Arrington decided to volunteer for early retirement this summer, her decision sent a tremor through the headquarters staff.
"In basketball there is a term, glue guy, for a player who may not be the superstar, but is the player that holds the whole team together and makes everyone else better. That was Rene' here; she held things together and made everyone better. Glue gal," Britt Locke, civilian executive assistant, explains about Arrington.
Although Arrington began her career in 1986 as a secretary for the Quality Assurance Division, she quickly moved up in the ranks of the Army staff. By the next year, Arrington had moved into the Office of the Commander. By the end of her career, Arrington handled personnel, protocol, management controls, purchasing, and many other responsibilities…all while maintaining positive relationships with both government and contractor employees.
Arrington is a member of the unique government staff of MLAAP. Many members joined the staff around the same time, at around the same age, and since joining they have grown up together, sharing the many milestones of their lives.
Donnie Bynum, Quality Assurance Division Chief, remembers meeting Arrington for the first time. While giving Arrington a tour, Bynum introduced the young secretary as his "new boss." Much to Arrington's surprise, plant employees believed Bynum's ruse, which became a source of humor for years to come.
Many employees cite Arrington's charisma as her most endearing quality, and the reason they will most miss her.
Ricky Robinson, logistics management specialist, describes Arrington as, "The sweetest woman I've ever met in my life!"
"When you go anywhere with Rene', you should not be in a hurry," Wanda King, command secretary, explains. "It isn't her fault--it's just that she knows everyone and everyone knows her. She always makes time to talk to people--that's why everyone loves her."
Bruce Laird, transportation officer, relates, "Rene will help anyone at anytime, talk to anyone at anytime, and she will be happy to do it. Not many hearts in the world are as large or as full of love as is Rene's."
Arrington has no shortage of people to talk to and to help after her retirement from federal service. She will be offering assistance to her parents at the famed Skullbone Store, as well as at AMTEK Precision Products, the machining business she co-owns with her husband Mike. She will also continue to be an active member and musician at her church and a volunteer in her community.
Arrington and her family reside in Bradford, Tenn.
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