ADA warrior commander retires after 33 years
FORT BLISS, Texas --- Brig. Gen. Christopher Spillman, 32d AAMDC commanding general, celebrated 33 years of service November 6, 2018 at the Pershing house on Fort Bliss. Family, friends and Soldiers gathered to watch Spillman transition out of the Army at the historic house.
The officer in charge and narrator of the ceremony was Lt. Col. David P. McCoy, the secretary of the general staff for 32d AAMDC. The host for this special ceremony was Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson, the commanding general for the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command.
Dickinson thanked Spillman for all he has done in his military career as well as his supporting family and resilient wife, Joanne M. Spillman throughout their 23 moves.
“This is a very fitting setting to have this ceremony at the Pershing house,” said Dickinson. “The fact that 32d AAMDC is the Black Jack and the fact that this is the Pershing house. To have the ceremony here is very fitting due to the extraordinary military career that Black Jack Pershing had over his years in the service.”
Spillman was presented with a Distinguished Service Medal, a Certificate of Retirement, Presidential Certificate of Appreciation and a retirement flag. Spillman’s wife received the Civilian Service Medal and a Certificate of Appreciation.
“Spillman has a remarkable Army career,” Dickinson continued. “If you know anything about Chris Spillman, you know that he is a very humble person.”
Dickinson spoke about how Spillman served in a variety of command and staff assignments, both in the continental U.S. and overseas.
“Over the course of the years, with his implacable standards and drive for excellence, simply has made him an officer that we in the Army absolutely needed at that time in our nation’s history,” Dickinson noted.
“He gave back a tremendous amount to the Soldiers in his ability to train and teach,” Dickinson said. “He has had the opportunity to gain a lot of education, but also to give it back to the military. I think he may say that this is the greatest thing that he leaves the Army with today, the fact that he knows he has given back, informed and trained the Soldiers that we have today.”
Spillman’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kingdom of Service Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Kosovo Medal, Korean Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
He earned the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge as well as the Airborne Badges of Germany and Canada.
“I am very humble to have been a Soldier for 33 years,” said Spillman. “I have nothing but thanks to give to the Army for allowing me the opportunity to wear the uniform.”
Spillman went on to acknowledge the hard work of his wife and the upbringing of his four children.
“I took my responsibilities and obligations very seriously,” Spillman continued. “You don’t get through an Army career on your own and everyone knows that. I would not be standing here today if it wasn’t for my wife Joanne.”
Spillman said he was blessed as everyone went through the sequence of events with him one last time.
“It means a lot to me that you all took the time to come here today to wish me farewell in the Army,” Spillman noted. “I can’t believe it has been as long as it has. It does go by in a blink of an eye. Every day that I got to put the uniform on that says U.S. Army, was a great day.”
“It is bittersweet that I have to take the uniform off and I will miss it,” Spillman ended. “Joanne and I are absolutely optimistic people and we are just as excited about the next chapter. Who knows what it will be. The thing we look forward to the most is me being home.”
(By Sgt. La'Shawna Custom, 32d AAMDC Public Affairs NCO)