MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A retirement ceremony was held here, June 3, honoring the culmination of a Marine officer’s 29-year career.
Col. Anthony Ardovino, outgoing chief of staff for 1st Marine Logistics Group, joined the Marine Corps in December 1982 after graduating from the University of Alabama. During his career, he served as a platoon commander, company executive officer, aide-de-camp and logistics officer.
The retirement ceremony included a speech by Brig. Gen. Charles L. Hudson, commanding general, 1st MLG, and presentations of flowers and awards to Ardovino’s family.
“Both in times of peace and times of war, this Marine and his family have served this country and served it well,” said Hudson. “Phenomenal officer, 29 years of dedicated service; they don’t come any better than Tony Ardovino.”
Ardovino, from Vestavia Hills, Ala., enjoyed the ceremony and appreciated the many people who came to honor him, he said.
“It reinforced the reason I joined the Marines,” said Ardovino. “The Marine Corps is a family.”
Over the course of his nearly 3-decade career, Ardovino deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The retirement ceremony, along with the times he returned home from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, was among his proudest moments, Ardovino said.
Although his Marine Corps career comes to a close, Ardovino says he’s ready for the next step in his life, during which he plans to take time off for one of his favorite hobbies, hunting, and spend plenty of time with his wife and daughter. But he said he will miss leading Marines.
“I hate that I won’t be able to work with Marines anymore,” said Ardovino. “It’s now my time, and life is an adventure and we’re ready for the next adventure.”
Ardovino has had a lot of experience leading Marines over the past 29 years, and he is proud of all his accomplishments, he said.
“I get out without any regrets whatsoever,” said Ardovino.