224 YEARS OF SERVICE

108th TC Bids Farewell to Retirees

01/28/2018 By SPC Tynisha Daniel

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On November 4, 2017, family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together at 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation.

The 108th celebration of service ceremony recognizes Soldiers for their distinguished service to U.S. Army and the Nation as they prepare to transition into civilian careers or fully retire. This was the second celebration held to honor service members during fiscal year 2017.

“Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenged for 224 collective years of service, each of our honorees swore that they would uphold and the defend the Constitution of the United States of America; today we acknowledge and recognize six American Soldiers rendering their final salute to a grateful nation,” said Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general of the 108th Training Command.

Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) and Sgt. Maj. Paula James congratulate six retiring U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers during a ceremonial celebration of service on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

The 108th has been instrumental in providing quality training to Soldiers from all Army components for more than 60 years.

While the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) belongs to the Army Reserve, it is operationally controlled by Training and Doctrine Command, which oversees of 32 Army Schools and trains more than 500,000 Soldiers and service members annually.

Retiree Msg. John Tate is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Col. John Vernick is congratulated with The Meritorious Service award from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

The retirees honored were Col. John Vernic, Maj. Randy Cook, Master Sgt. John Tate, Master Sgt. Jerry Williams, Sgt. 1st Class Silvia Jones-Wallace, and Staff Sgt. Wanda Barron.

Over the course of the celebration, McQueen spoke to the audience about how these noteworthy Soldier’s careers have impacted the U.S. Army Reserve, addressed how their devotion made the Army better, and personally thanked each of the honorees for the sacrifices they and their families had.

Staff Sgt. Wanda Barron is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Sgt. First Class Silvia Jones-Wallace is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

“The mission continues,” said McQueen addressing the formation. “It is to the men and women standing in formation today to accept the torch from these six who transition to retirement from active service, it is to those in formation to take which each of these who committed a lifetime to preserving and now protect that which they gave blood sweat and tears for, we must ready ourselves to face the uncertain challenges of tomorrow."

Retiree Msg. Jerry Williams is congratulated with a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Retiree Maj. Randy Cook is congratulated with The Meritorious Service award from Maj. Gen. Mark T. McQueen, commanding general for 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training). Family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined 224 years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation on Nov 4, 2017. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Tynisha L. Daniel

Each retiree received an opportunity to give their final remarks with many leading to emotional speeches. They shared their individual military histories, the sacrifices that their families gave in support of their service, and they shared what they will miss most about the Army.

“To our honored retirees, you are changing a season, you will always be able to be branded with the moniker of being known as a Veteran, we are thankful for each of you and your contribution to the American way of life,” said McQueen.

Comments & Ratings

Comments

There is no comment.

224 YEARS OF SERVICE

108th TC Bids Farewell to Retirees

By SPC Tynisha Daniel | 01/28/2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C . — On November 4, 2017, family, friends, and colleagues of six U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers came together at 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), for a ceremonial expression of appreciation and gratitude for their combined years of federal service to the U.S. Army and the nation. The 108th celebration of service ceremony recognizes Soldiers for their distinguished service to U.S. Army and the Nation as they prepare to transition into civilian careers or fully retire. This was the second celebration held to honor service members during fiscal year 2017. “Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually ch... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,

108th Training Command (IET) Celebrates, Honors 10 Retirees

By Sgt. Christina Dion | 01/28/2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Retiring from any career field is a monumental accomplishment. They all have ups and downs, but serving in the military for more than 20 years not only affects the Soldier, but their Families. Soldiers endure many sacrifices such as deployments, training events, and changing where their family calls home often but still choose to serve in the Army Reserve while holding civilian careers and managing families. This distinguished accomplishment of service was recognized by the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police and Fire Training Academy June 10, 2017. Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,

MISSION 2017

| 01/28/2018

Charged with supporting two of TRADOC's five core function leads: the Center for Initial Military Training and Cadet Command, the 108th Training Command provides professionally trained and ready drill sergeants, instructors, leader trainers, and command expertise to Initial Entry Training, Cade Training, and Theater Security Cooperation Training. Our missions in 2017 included but were not limited to Task Force Marshall, Conus Replacement Center, Initial Entry Training, Cadet Training, ROTC, Ministry of the Interior, and various support missions. We held Senior leadership huddles, reorganized our formations to meet Reformation goals... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,

DSOY 2017

| 01/28/2018

FORT LEONARD WOOD Mo. — After a week of intense competition, the 2017 TRADOC Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year has come to an end. As one the Army’s most physical and mentally demanding competitions, the five day event gives opportunity to some of the Army’s leading non-commissioned officers (NCO) to compete for the titles of Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, Sept. 12-15 2017. “It’s a chance for the Army’s best trainers to showcase what they know , but what really makes it important is the comradery that this builds, the teamwork,” said Sgt 1st Class Brandon Lasp... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,

‘New Kids on the Block’

By Terrence E. Miles and Kameika Jones | 01/28/2018

Charlotte , N.C. — The 108th Training Command has some new faces aiding in the fight of Army Readiness in combat of Substance Abuse. Ms. Kameika Jones, (SAPC) and Mr. Terrence Miles (EAPC) join Ms. Samoa Brown, (ADCO) in completing the second and third leg of the Army Substance Abuse Program. Terrence Miles, your Employee Assistance Program Coordinator (EAPC) aims to serve the Soldiers who test positive for illegal substance and/or have an alcohol issue. He is also committed to serving the Family members in whatever capacity he can to ensure their Soldier is combat ready. These programs include employment services, educational progr... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,

SOLDIERS PROMOTIONED IN 2017 ~ HOOAH!

| 01/28/2018

G CHANCE C MOTICHEK - SSG GEORGE C MOURTOS - SSG MICHAEL A MYERS - SSG CASEY L NAPIER - SSG HAILONG L NGUYEN - SSG KEVIN T NIELSEN - SSG MICHAEL NIGRO, JR - SSG CORI L NOBLE - SSG EARLANDRIUS CHAVALYI PARKER - SSG AARON K PEAL - SSG CARLOS I PEREZCRESPO - SSG JESSE M PICARD - SSG RANDALL J PICKETT - SSG WALTER L PICKETTAY - SSG IANNETTA D PRATT - SSG EDUARDO T QUIROZ - SSG DENISE S RANGEL - SSG RICARDO S RIOS - SSG CHRISTIAN D RIVERAORTIZ - SSG TIFFIANY RIVERAWARD - SSG JENNIFER R ROMANIELLO - SSG KEIVEN E ROSA - SSG SONNY M ROSARIO - SSG RANDALL M RUE - SSG SAHIA L SANCHEZDIAZ - SSG ALNUEL SANCHEZLOPEZ - SSG DEVON J SCAREY - SSG CHRISTOPHER... Read More...

Relevant Tags: Griffon108,