Guard leader retires after three decades of service

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan | Friends, family, Soldiers, Airmen, civilian first responders and emergency management experts bid farewell to Army Col. Danny Mills, left, at his retirement ceremony at the Headquarters of the North Carolina National Guard’s 60th Troop Command in Raleigh, N.C., Dec. 5, 2014. He served many positions of responsibility including commander of the 42nd Civil Support Team, Camp Butner National Guard Training Center and the 60th Troop Command over a nearly 31-year career. “He is a good man and will be missed,” said Army Brig. Gen. John A. Byrd, right, assistant adjutant general of North Carolina.  

RALEIGH, NC, UNITED STATES

12.05.2014

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan    

North Carolina National Guard

RALEIGH, N.C. - Every North Carolina National Guard Soldier and Airmen is "Always Ready" to deploy at home, across the nation or worldwide.

Army Col. Danny Mills serving as commander of the 42nd Civil Support Team, Camp Butner National Guard Training Center or the 60th Troop Command over a nearly 31-year career made sure they were a "Ready Team."

“He is a good man and will be missed,” said Army Brig. Gen. John A. Byrd, assistant adjutant general of North Carolina, at Mills’ retirement ceremony held at the Troop Command’s Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dec. 5, 2014.

Byrd joined NCNG Soldiers, Airmen, state and local first responders and civilian emergency management staff in honoring Mills.

Mills service reflected the skills and multiple missions of the NCNG. He prepared soldiers for war at Camp Butner, to respond to natural or manmade disasters with the civil support team and deployed troop command combat units overseas.

“It takes leadership to get things going,” said Byrd.

His leadership is not just in the military. He is a long serving, full time North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper. He has served alongside local, state and national civilian emergency management experts for three decades.

“He is a great partner, everyone knew we could depend on him to bring everything to the battlefield,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry.

After a series of awards including the Legion of Merit medal and certificates from the President of the United States and Governor of North Carolina for decades of service to state and nation, Mills thanked friends, family and peers.

“It means a great deal to me that you are here for me at the end of thirty years, thank you,” said Mills.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2014
• Date Posted: 12.10.2014 23:07
• Story ID: 150025
• Location: RALEIGH, NC, US