RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Growing up in the 60s and 70s, owning a car was just a dream for me. Fast forward to today, and I’m responsible for the maintenance and safety of more than 70 Non-Appropriated and Appropriated Fund vehicles.
Not many people can say they’ve dedicated nearly their entire life to serving their country, but I’m proud to be one of them. Over the past 45 years, I’ve served in both the military and civilian sectors. I’m currently the Vehicle Control Officer for the Resource Flight, Logistics Division, 86th Force Support Squadron. Being a VCO comes with its challenges, but I truly enjoy it, especially because I get to work with some incredible people across the board.
I was born and raised in Collierville, Tennessee. By the time I was seven, I was already getting up at 5 a.m. to pick cotton and feed the animals before heading off to school. All the boys in the neighborhood worked, it was just our way of life. I landed my first job at age 15, delivering groceries. Looking back, I guess my journey in logistics started earlier than I realized.
At 17, I joined the U.S. Army as a Warehouse Storage Supply Operator and retired nearly 27 years later as a Senior Quartermaster with the 1st Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry. I officially retired from the Army on April 1, 2006, after a career that spanned the Cold War, the Panama Campaign, Desert Shield/Storm, the Kosovo Campaign, and the War on Terror. I still remember standing at the Berlin Wall in 1982 thinking, “Who could build such a thing?” I was relieved and proud to witness its fall in 1989.
Throughout my military career, logistics remained my focus. I served three tours in Southwest Asia, two as a soldier (1990–91 and 2003–04) and one as a Department of Defense civilian (2005–06), where I worked as an Operational Needs Manager. My job was to ensure our warfighters had the equipment they needed to complete the mission and stay protected.
While deployed with Multi-National Force–Iraq in Baghdad, I had the privilege of working closely with the U.S. Air Force. I was blown away by their professionalism, teamwork, and grit. These Airmen regularly put in 12–14-hour days without complaint. I quickly learned that the Air Force doesn’t just fly, they logged more ground miles in combat zones than anyone. They were brave, prepared, and mission-focused. I also had the honor of working for my mentor, General George W. Casey, who later became the 36th Army Chief of Staff. Funny enough, we discovered that my father had once served under his father’s command in Vietnam.
After retiring from the military, I transitioned into civil service as a Logistics Management Specialist. From 2006 to 2022, I managed inventory and property for both U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command, with assignments in Heidelberg, Wiesbaden, Washington, D.C., and Stuttgart. I’ve been stationed at Ramstein since 2023, now serving as the Regional Coordinator for Central Texas College.
In my current role with the 86th FSS, I coordinate vehicle management and scheduling for services that touch nearly every corner of the base, from restaurants and Child Youth Centers to the library at Vogelweh and Ramstein. I also support Outdoor Recreation programs, Arts and Crafts, Auto Skills, and even the Woodland Golf Course.
What keeps me going is simple: the opportunity to serve our Airmen, civilians, retirees, and, most importantly, their families. I haven’t found a better place to work than the 86th FSS. I genuinely enjoy the people and the mission. It’s a good life.
Throughout my career, I’ve been honored to receive numerous awards, including the Superior Civilian Service Award, three Army Commendation Medals, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and a host of other ribbons and certificates.
In 2022, I was deeply honored during my retirement ceremony at EUCOM Headquarters. I couldn’t have reached this point without the unwavering support of my wife, Marion. She’s been the joy and foundation of my life.
As for the future, I never really set out to reach a 40-year milestone. And while I don’t have any immediate plans to retire, I do look forward to traveling and spending more time with family when that day comes.
If I could leave one piece of advice for the next generation, it would be this: take time to listen. Don’t just speak. Really listen. That’s how you truly understand others.