OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Army National Guard, family and friends gathered to bid farewell to Col. Chuck Booze, 189th Regiment, Oklahoma Regional Training Institute (RTI) commander during a retirement ceremony at the RTI on June 2, 2018. The celebration of a military career that spanned more than three decades began as the outgoing regimental commander relinquished command of the colors to Brig. Gen. Jon Harrison, director of the joint staff for the Oklahoma National Guard.
“It has been an absolute honor to serve our Soldiers,” Booze said. “It is incredibly rewarding being there to lead them and support them and figure out what they need to get their mission done.”
Booze’s 32-year career of military service began in 1986 with the U.S. Army Reserve and then transitioned to the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Booze served in various positions with 2nd Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment commander, and 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deputy commander.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Booze has participated in operations in Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Korea, Kuwait, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. He has received numerous awards to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, among others.
Booze earned the Combat Action Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He was the 1994 recipient of the 45th Infantry Brigade Junior Office of the Year award, the 1995 45th Infantry Brigade MacArthur award and the 1996 J.O. Cotton Smith Award for best company commander in the 45th Infantry Brigade.
During his address to the crowd, Harrison likened Booze to the Concord Minuteman statue, which depicts the “Citizen Soldier” having one hand reaching from a plow to grasp a musket.
“Col. Chuck Booze is the embodiment of the Citizen Soldier,” Harrison said. “He is highly successful in his career at State Farm and obviously has had great successes here in the Oklahoma National Guard. He is constantly working to make the organization better.”
After military service, Booze said he will miss seeing, working with and mentoring Soldiers on a regular basis. Booze encourages young Soldiers of all ranks to lean into it and go after it all the way.
“Whether you are here for four years or 30, some day it will be over,” Booze said. “It’s like playing a football game. You want to leave it all on the field when it is done.”
Harrison remarked military life is full of great opportunities for families and service members filled with irreplaceable memories. It is most difficult for family members because of life events that are missed. For all the good times and all the difficult times, Booze gave a special thanks to his wife Karen and three daughters Mckayla, Addison and Trinity for allowing him to pursue his career in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
After taking off the uniform for the last time, Booze will be working a new position at State Farm Insurance, where he has been employed for the last 26 years. He, and his family, reside in Allen, Texas.