"AMCOM 7 signing off for the last time, sir!"
Those words, accompanied by a command sergeant major salute to a general officer, ended the 35-year, six-month and one-day military career of the Aviation and Missile Command's longest serving command sergeant major.
Addressing a nearly packed audience Thursday in Bob Jones Auditorium that included several retired and active duty officers from Redstone Arsenal, Fort Rucker and other installations, Command Sgt. Maj. Ricky Yates spoke the words of a hero, saying he was "honored" to be AMCOM's command sergeant major for six years and thanking those who have supported him during his Army career.
"Thanks to all the NCOs (non-commissioned officers), officers and chief warrant officers who have helped get me to where I am today," he said. "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this community."
Yates, who joined the Army in 1977, and went on to be a leader in the aviation field with much of his time spent at Fort Bragg, N.C., came to Redstone six years ago as the command sergeant major, first serving with AMCOM commander then Maj. Gen. (now retired Lt. Gen.) Jim Pillsbury. He continued in the position under now retired Maj. Gen. Jim Myles and retired under current AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Rogers.
Calling him "the man, the legend," and referring to him as "Rooster" in association with a funny chicken story from his Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, Rogers, who presided over the ceremony, said Yates filled a vital leadership role in the Army.
"He had leadership roles from early on during his time in the Army. He was promoted to command sergeant major early on, and served as a command sergeant major at the battalion, brigade and command levels during a third of his career," Rogers said.
He described Yates as a "no nonsense guy," "tough as nails" and a "leader of men and women in the Army."
"He was chosen by General Pillsbury and he was fired by him almost the same day," Rogers joked of Yates' early days at AMCOM.
But, on a serious note, Rogers said Yates made a difference in his role as AMCOM's senior enlisted Soldier.
"He led more than AMCOM. He led the whole Redstone family," Rogers said. "The good part is he's going to stay part of the Redstone family (as a civilian or a contractor).
"Everything that he does is for the Soldier or the civilian. Everything. It's not about him. It's about the Soldier, and for the civilian and contractor who work to get it done for the Soldier."
Among the many honors Yates received during his ceremony, he was the recipient of the Order of St. Michael, which is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of Army aviation in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's seniors, subordinates and peers. The award was presented by Gary Nenninger, president of the Tennessee Valley chapter of the Army Aviation Association of America.
During his comments, Rogers suggested that maybe the requirement that a Soldier must retire after 35 years should be changed so that the Army can keep experienced and committed leaders like Yates.
"He is the epitome of a non-commissioned officer. There are individuals in our service who care more about servicemembers than themselves and that's Ricky Yates. He has taken care of Soldiers at the highest level for the longest time," Rogers said. "And he will be a Soldier for us in this community for a long time coming."
Yates, who grew up in Blount County, lives in Cullman County with his wife Teresa and two of his children.
While Redstone says "goodbye" to a highly decorated war hero and command sergeant major with both a Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star Medal to his credit, the ceremony also allowed the audience to welcome another highly decorated war hero who also has a Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal in his war chest. Command Sgt. Maj. Tod Glidewell was officially introduced as AMCOM's new command sergeant major during a change of command ceremony that proceeded Yates' retirement.
Glidewell, whose previous assignment was serving as the command sergeant major for the Aviation Branch at Fort Rucker, expressed his gratitude for the AMCOM assignment, saying that he will work diligently to "maintain the highest operational readiness rates" for aviation and missile systems.
"As an Army logistician, this is a highly sought after position and I look forward to serving in this position," he said.
Rogers said the addition of Glidewell and his wife, Toni, to the Redstone family "are the right team for right now."
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