KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Twenty six years ago, a young man joined the U.S. Army as an enlisted member and went to training at Fort McClellan, Ala., home of the military police corps. During that same time, he started dating Julie who he married in 1990. On Feb 28, now Maj. Michael Streeter, 10th Regional Support Group, retired from the U.S. Army along with three other soldiers at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.
Streeter who hails from Independence, Mo., deployed to Bosnia, completed a tour in Germany, returned to Fort Drum, N.Y., and then re-enlisted for the assignment of choice to the 10th Area Support Group in Okinawa, Japan, where he began his commissioned career. Years later he returned with his family.
“Upon completion of assignment at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., I was given the opportunity to return to Okinawa to command the 247th Military Police Detachment,” said Streeter. “After receiving detachment command I was notified by the battalion commander that I would also be the provost marshall and the very first director of emergency services for Okinawa, responsible for both military police operations and the operation of the fire department. Upon completion of command I returned to the 10th Regional Support Group [RSG] and assumed duty as the assistant support operations.”
Streeter then deployed to Afghanistan, as part of a 10-man military transition team. Upon completion of this deployment he returned to 10th RSG and assumed duty as the training officer and transitioned to his final assignment as the antiterrorism and force protection officer.
“During my long career and all the deployments my wife, Julie and my two daughters, Ashlynn and Katelynn, have been by my side and providing me with continual love and support, for this I cannot possibly thank them enough,” said Streeter. “Julie has a long list of accomplishments of her own, beginning with the raising of our two daughters primarily on her own. She completed the U.S. Army Red Cross dental assistant volunteer program where she spent countless hours as a volunteer dental assistant, receiving training and eventually becoming employed as a dental assistant. My daughter, Ashlynn, married Matthew Rector an Air Force staff sergeant and together they have given us our first granddaughter, Allie Rector. Ashlynn also runs a very successful photography business. My daughter, Katelynn, is currently taking college courses to become a physical therapist assistant.”
The retirement ceremony was hosted by Col. Sheila Bryant, commander, 10th RSG, and Command Sgt. Maj. Shelton Williamson, command sergeant major, 10th RSG, approximately 100 soldiers and family members attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony Bryant summarized Streeter and his family commitment to the U.S. by stating, “During his long career and all the deployments and time away at various military schools and training, his wife and two daughters, Ashlynn and Katelynn, have been at his side to provide continual love and support. Julie, some say that a family can develop only with a loving woman at its center. You are that center and strength for Mike. Today, I thank both of you for your service for without family motivating and caring for him, he would not be in the position he is in today.”