SDDC's most veteran Soldier leaves active service.

When it comes to SDDC's most seasoned operative, Col. George Montgomery is at the top.

In a 30-year career, he has served four different active duty assignments here. In the last 12 years of his duty, nine have been with the command.

In the past year, he has had one of SDDC's more responsible jobs: SDDC Chief of Staff--responsible for all the command's staff coordination and project execution.

On October 1, it all ends. Montgomery will retire and wear the SDDC patch for the last time.

His departure will be marked by an informal farewell with Headquarters Alexandria staffers. A formal retirement ceremony will be held later at Fort Jackson, S.C., near his new home at Lake Murray, north of nearby Columbia.

Looking out the 11th floor window of his office May 21, Montgomery is philosophical.

"I'm excited about another phase in my life," said Montgomery. "At the same time, I look back fondly on the 30 years of Army service I have had ... the places I've seen and the people I have had the privilege to work with and learn from."

His overseas tours have included Germany, Greece and Jordan.

With a low draft number, Montgomery's Army career began as a logical consequence at Clemson University, in 1974 in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program.

"I got in and it was my intention to stay for two or three years," said Montgomery. "I had a mentor and he said, 'As long as you enjoy it-stay in.'"

Best assignment?

There is no pause in Montgomery's answer.

"Sunny Point."

Montgomery was in charge of the 597th Transportation Group, Sunny Point, N.C., from 1999-2001. The Cape Fear River installation is SDDC's biggest with over 200 staffers and hundreds of acres of land in its security perimeter.

"Sunny Point was my best assignment," said Montgomery. "It had a great mission, great people, and was in an unbelievable location. I particularly appreciate the dedication of the people to the mission, to Sunny Point, and to each other."

Two months after he got there, Montgomery got to see the work force in action. Hurricane Floyd struck the installation full force. Several Lighter Aboard Ship barges were blown one mile across the river and into the tidal marshes and sandy beaches of the Fort Fisher Historical site.

The staff responded splendidly, said Montgomery.

With nearby N.C. Highway 133 flooded by rainwaters, some staff reported to work in a number of innovative ways. One employee came to work aboard the MOTSU fireboat that had been safe havened in Wilmington during the storm--traveling over 20 miles down the Cape Fear River.

Waterman Steamship Corp., of New Orleans, eventually towed several of the barges back to deep water. Workmen had to use acetylene torches to cut one barge into pieces to finally remove it.

What about the command?

"SDDC is people," said Montgomery. "That is what makes SDDC the great organization that it is."

What does the command's future hold?

"Transformation," said Montgomery. "We are transforming to meet Army goals, U.S. Transportation Command goals and our own (SDDC) goals."

"It will be a significant change for SDDC employees, but they are up to the challenge," said Montgomery.

Since June 1, Montgomery's duties have shifted to SDDC's new Chief of Staff, Col. Rodney Mallette, formerly chief of the Command Transformation and Integration Office.

Montgomery's other SDDC assignments include Inspector General, from 1995-1996, and commander of the 1319th Medium Port Command, Piraeus, Greece, from 1993-1995.

Montgomery is putting his own personal transformation plan into action. He may not really hang up his Army uniform.

"I have received my certification to teach high school ROTC, and am looking for a school close to my new home."