MTMC chief of staff bids army farewell.

Good morning and welcome to the May retirement review. Almost a cliche, I still must say--it's, a great day to be a soldier.

I don't know what more a soldier could ask for on his or her retirement day, because today we have it all: a great band, sharp soldiers, this historic field, and glorious weather.

As I said, it just could not be any better.

The Ft Lee band is on the field today. As always, you look and sound great. Please join me in giving them a round of applause.

Also out on the field today are the soldiers of the 10th Transportation Battalion, from the 7th Transportation Group. Don't they look magnificent? Please join me in thanking them for their participation in today's ceremony.

Before you today stand 10 soldiers and one government civilian, who have given over 260 years in total service. I am proud to stand with the ones in front of the reviewing mound. These retirees are humbled by the turnout and honors bestowed here today.

We realize we have the thanks of a grateful nation as we transition to a life outside the military--but I'd like to suggest that while the acknowledgement you in the audience are giving those retiring here today is appreciated, that admiration goes two ways.

Here's what I mean. The soldiers and civilian retiring today did not achieve, could not have achieved, much of anything without the teamwork, cooperation, mentorship, and downright friendship of a whole bunch of people. The support came from a variety of places.

We all had a first boss and several bosses after that. The assistance of superiors and mentors would be a good place to start in our collective gratitude-giving here this morning.

I can remember my first boss, vividly. Tough, fair, and absolutely committed to my success, he practically adopted me. We are close friends to this day.

I am extremely fortunate to be able to say I've never had a bad boss. Not everyone can say that, but I'm lucky in that regard. I can state unequivocally that I would not be here today had it not been for the caring mentorship of some great Americans.

Second, we retirees today must give great credit to our fellow soldiers who worked for us and with us over many years.

No man (or woman) is an island. There are many who have fallen by the wayside by either trying to do too much on their own, or failing to follow the advice of peers or subordinates.

In my own past, I have been chewed out by sergeants, and I've been chewed out by warrant officers. Each time by a well-meaning professional, and each time richly deserved.

Those standing humbly before you today could each relate examples of what I just described.

Finally, all the honorees on this field today have a tremendous debt of gratitude for their family members. There are a lot of family members in the audience today, including some who came a long way to see their loved ones retire.

I know that the families of the retirees are very proud of their retiree. I know my family is proud of me. But I would like to suggest, on behalf of the retirees on the field today, that the pride and gratitude goes, at least in equal part, back to you.

We could never have thrived, or even survived, without the love and understanding of a strong home life.

From the heart, I now give family members of each retiree a very sincere thank you. Now, my fellow retirees will join in applause to acknowledge the love and sacrifice given by each family member here today.

Much has changed in the last thirty years, but much has remained the same. And the Army has grown tremendously in many ways.

Some of you may recognize the theme I am now stealing from our 32nd Chief of Staff of the Army, General (Retired) Gordon Sullivan. Just before graduating from the Army War College eight years ago, almost to the day, General Sullivan spoke to me and my fellow graduates, and highlighted the themes of change, continuity and growth.

I was profoundly moved that day, and now believe it is appropriate to speak again of the greatness of our Army.

When I joined the Army 30 years ago, I signed in wearing a uniform called "TWs"--long since gone. When I completed my initial schooling and reported to my first platoon, I was greeted by an assortment of young men, draftees all.

We are now in our 29th year of an all-volunteer army. When I learned tactics and grand strategy for my first 18 years, we as an Army were focused on the defense of Europe, and much of the Army force structure was arrayed along the inter-German border, waiting for an attack that never came.

The Army has now changed to a power-projection strategy in order to confront the uncertain threat, anywhere in the world. And the Army is changing still. What is not changing is the absolute dedication to soldiers and their families, and the embracing of Army values.

Duty, honor, respect, selfless service, integrity, loyalty, moral courage--these rock-solid values give the Army, and all who join the Army at some point in the future, a benchmark on which to rely. These values are the Army's continuity; these values will endure.

The Army has always grown. There are many types of growth. Equipment is better, training is better, and the people are better. I will zero in on the people for just a moment.

I stand before you today, and am judged as successful. I have embraced--and hopefully exuded--the Army values, and have grown over time. But in total honesty, I am being overtaken by young, outstanding officers who are better than me. And that's good. We must celebrate this positive growth in our Army.

I think I remember being a captain, but it was a very long time ago. Let me tell you something. After commanding at the battalion and brigade levels, I am absolutely overwhelmed by the talent of the company commanders, and extremely thankful that I do not have to compete with them.

The captains are but an example of the talent residing in our Army today. Pick a rank, any rank--officer, noncommissioned officer, warrant officer, even the initial-entry soldier. Our Army has grown better by the year. We should celebrate the change, continuity and growth that has given us the people we now see in our Army.

Today, I close the chapter on thirty years in the Army. It is with much sadness that I leave. I'm sure I'm echoing the thoughts of my fellow retirees here today when I state my sadness is small in the overall scheme of things.

My principal thought here at the conclusion of this glorious ceremony is gratitude. We the retirees are extremely grateful to have served with so many outstanding professionals over our careers, grateful for the love of our wonderful families, and grateful for the opportunity to serve this greatest nation in the history of the earth.

God bless each of you, and God bless the United States of America.

Thank you.