Five with 150: Longtime Army Reserve Soldiers retire from 7th MSC

Photo By Desiree Dillehay | Five Army Reserve Soldiers of the 7th Mission Support Command — with more than 150 combined years of service in the U.S. Army — retired during an April 15 ceremony at the Kaiserslautern Community Activities Center on Daenner Kaserne.  

KAISERSAUTERN, RP, GERMANY

04.17.2018

Story by Lt. Col. Jefferson Wolfe 

7th Mission Support Command

Story by Lt. Col. Jefferson Wolfe
7th Mission Support Command Public Affairs Officer

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Five Army Reserve Soldiers of the 7th Mission Support Command — with more than 150 combined years of service in the U.S. Army — retired during an April 15 ceremony at the Kaiserslautern Community Activities Center on Daenner Kaserne.

The retirees included: Col. Richard D. Campbell, Lt. Col. Dale L. Porter, Command Sgt. Maj. Todd A. Heimer, Master Sgt. Bryan R. Thompson and Staff Sgt. Dustin W. Lierly.

One hundred fifty years encompasses multiple generations of Soldiers and civilians who have served in the Army, said Col. Alexis M. Wells, the 7th MSC deputy commanding officer, who presided over the ceremony.

“So, think about their tenure of service and imagine the impact and influence they had on the lives they touched,” he said.

Wells added working with the retirees influenced him to be a better Soldier.

“These professional Soldiers have served our nation and our Army with distinction,” he said.

Campbell has been a member of the 7th MSC since 2002. Most recently, he served as the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s liaison officer to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe J4 Logistics directorate to increase coordination and exchange logistical information between U.S. and NATO commands. He finished his career with 30 years of service, starting when he commissioned in 1988.

Porter joined the 7th MSC in 2014 and served as the G4 transportation officer. He completed 27 years of service in the Army.

Heimer was most recently the senior enlisted leader of the 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, headquartered in Grafenwoehr, Germany. His first enlistment was in 1982.

Thompson finished his career as the first sergeant for the 457th Civil Affairs Battalion’s Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, also in Grafenwoehr. He finished his career with 37 years of service.

Lierly spent more than 23 years in the Army, ending his career as a supply NCO and decontamination team member in the 773rd Civil Support Team, headquartered on Panzer Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Wells also honored the retirees' family members.

“It is our family members who allow this to happen, knowing we are committed to going into harm’s way,” he added. “They are the ones who think about our country on a daily basis and for that, they are the true patriots.”

The ceremony took place during a unit battle assembly a week before the 110th Army Reserve birthday.

“It is fitting that we celebrate the service of these Army Reserve Soldiers along the same time we are celebrating the 110th anniversary of the U.S. Army Reserve, which highlights the continued commitment and legacy of our citizen Soldiers in the service to the nation,” Wells said. “These Soldiers’ service embodies what it takes to be a citizen-soldier.”

• Date Taken: 04.17.2018
• Date Posted: 04.17.2018 08:41
• Story ID: 273309
• Location: KAISERSAUTERN, RP, DE