Retirement in the OHARNG, Part 2
So, you’re retiring from the military? “Who cares?!” according to the Ohio Army National Guard.
Part 2: More Soldiers talk about their retirement experiences.
By Colonel Six, Defend Ohio News Group
11:02 AM ET, Friday, September 17, 2021
Columbus, Ohio — Nearly a year has passed since the first article in this series. And while we have had several reports of units talking about change, the Ohio Army National Guard is still woefully lacking in regards to honoring their retirees. Soldiers are still being rushed out the door to make room for their replacement, no award, no formal ceremony, no thanks given to their spouses or children for the sacrifices they've made over the decades of service to our state and nation. You're just in the Ohio Army National Guard one day, and the next day you're not.
It's a stark contrast to real Army posts across the country, where you’ll find that they conduct quarterly or monthly post-wide formal retirement ceremonies in order to honor every single retiring member of their commands. As we mentioned in the previous article, a short YouTube search will land you countless videos of such ceremonies (see videos at the bottom of this page).
Here are the retirees who we spoke with recently about their experiences:
Sergeant First Class Charles Newberry was assigned to JFHQ when he retired 2 years ago. He says he still doesn't even have his NGB 22, the official separation document used to acquire benefits after separation (similar to DD-214). All he got from the OHARNG when he retired was an email with his retirement orders, which he was able to use to get his retiree ID card. No award, no ceremony, no recognition for his family.
Another retiree chose to reach out anonymously, saying that he got his award on time, but had no formal retirement ceremony. Just another typical luncheon with no loved ones or Soldiers present. For the record, leaders, making the full-time force attend during their lunch hour is a great way let the retiree know that recognizing their career isn't worth wasting any man-hours on. Something that has the potential to be a lasting retention tool, instead turns into an example of what young Soldiers have to look forward to if they stay in.
Sergeant First Class Megan Beckel Simpson retired after 26 years of service to Ohio and the United States of America. Her retirement award was approved on time. But that's the only thing the command accomplished regarding her farewell. "I planned my own party with the help of 2 close friends from the ADA. 8 people showed up," says Simpson. "I almost just canceled it. But no formal ceremony at the command was ever offered or mentioned. I was hurt, my husband and mother were furious and disgusted. 26 years of my life, and I mean entire life was celebrated at a TJ Chumps with 8 Soldiers surrounding me."
Simpson shared some additional insight and opinions about her career: "Exceptional leaders are few and far between in the Guard, however I was well mentored by MSG(R) Jimmy Hawk, 1SG Bill Lewis, SFC Jesse Helms, SFC Jeff Fitch, SFC Joy Hingston. The bad? I'm not sure we have that much time, however SGM(R) Don Henline was the worst, had multiple [**redacted**] and still allowed to lead recruiting teams and drive a GSA. MAJ Sullivan had no backbone and let his AGR staff get completely ran over. MAJ Rife is a joke and puts so much on his AGR staff, and takes NO blame for anything. When the staff would advise him about issues with operational planning, he would proceed with the way the he wanted, then would open a full blown 15-6 on the staff when it didn't work, ruining their careers."
The Battalion Commander at the time of SFC Simpson's retirement was MAJ Millard Rife; Command Sergeant Major was CSM Belding; AO was MAJ Kevin Sullivan.
Sergeant Major Erik Seurkamp served for 31 years, mostly in the 2-107th Cavalry Regiment. When asked about his retirement ceremony, he replied, "Retirement was me planning it. No one from the current leadership showed up." Another tenured leader pushed out the door with no air of formality whatsoever. And for his award? "My MSM was handed to me when I came back to the armory to turn in my gear." Since retirement, SGM Seurkamp has been active in trying to facilitate an annual "Cav Alumni" function, but says he says he gets "no support from the Cav to get newly retired folks info, or even get anyone from current leadership to show up."
Seurkamp shared more, to include much praise for the 2-107th overall. It was obvious from speaking with him that he was proud to have served the Soldiers of this unit. "I loved my time in the Cav and will always be a strong supporter of the NCO's and soldiers of the Cav, but the officer group, well that's a whole other story," he said. Seurkamp sums it by ending with, "The Ohio Guard does a horrible job handling their senior NCO's unless of course you are in the TAG friends group. Then you get all the awards and kudos you could ever imagine."
And finally, we spoke to Sergeant First Class Ryan Brofford, who medically retired from the AGR program in 2017 from the 371st STB. He served for 23 years, with over 19 years of active duty service. "Complete and total shit show," was the first thing he said when asked about his retirement. He continued, "Can’t tell you how many ceremonies had to attend over the years for the 'in crowd' which is what it is. For my retirement ceremony I got a call the morning that there was a lunch for two AGR officers that were leaving the Newark Armory for other assignments and my retirement lunch would be apart of it. Didn’t even get a chance to have my family attend. No award. No parting gift (other than what a great coworker did on her own time and $ for me)."
Per sources, SFC Brofford was an exemplary NCO who gave his all to his work. In his own words, "I worked my ass off. Spent countless hours, weeks, weekends away from family. Came in on vacations. You know the deal. I gave the OH Guard my soul and when i was was forced out, it was a slap in the face. No one cared enough to even give a damn card." Two months later, Brofford got the typical OHARNG afterthought phone call. The 371st asked him to come in (same day) to get his award. No chance to invite loved ones, family, or Soldiers to share in his celebration. "Again, no notice, no family, nothing.... I’ve seen lower enlisted at Beightler get better send-offs for moving to another unit!"
To add injury to insult, SFC Brofford's medical retirement appears to have been expedited. This left him about 250 days short of qualifying for his active duty retirement pension. "Can’t prove it, but it was like my packet was hand carried through the system. I had soldiers that were convicted of felonies that took almost 3 years to be separated but mine happened in 2 months. Crazy." For reference, the medical retirement process normally takes around 11 months to complete. By rushing his packet (and likely skipping steps in the process) Brofford was cheated out of around $2400 a month from 2017 until the time he'll hit 60 years of age, when his Traditional Guard retirement pension will begin.
"It is what it is. Big freaking let down. I gave that organization my soul and unfortunately chose it over my family time and time again and now it feels like the biggest kick in the shin ever. I’m embarrassed to admit I was a part of it. Glad someone sees what has been happening to people that have given so much for such an ungrateful organization!!"
Once again, I want to personally thank those who shared their stories with us. Your willingness to open up about your experiences may help ensure this doesn’t continue to happen to others like you. Leaders, put yourselves into these Soldiers' shoes and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BE THE CULTURE CHANGE that your organization needs. If you need help fixing your organization, please contact me. We have a network of individuals who know how and sincerely want to help. As for my other readers, if you or someone you know has retired from the Ohio Army National Guard and were denied a formal retirement ceremony or award, please contact me at colonelsix@dongvideos.com. We plan to continue publishing more articles on this topic and would love to share as many Soldiers' experiences as possible. As always, we will respect your anonymity if you prefer. In the mean time, feel free to check out the videos below to see what right looks like.
- Six out.
Regulation excerpts:
- AR 600-8-7, paragraph 1-7c: Provide Soldiers, regardless of component, the opportunity to participate in an appropriate retirement ceremony as determined and resourced by the commander.
- AR 600-8-7, paragraph 2-6c(9)(a): Create a command climate that says Retired Soldiers, their Families, and survivors are valued.
- AR 600-8-7, paragraph 2-6c(9)(i): Look for ways to honor Retired Soldiers’ service in front of current Soldiers at formations and ceremonies.
- AR 600–8–22, paragraph 1-33a: All U.S. Army decorations will be presented with an appropriate air of formality and with fitting ceremony.
- AR 600–8–22, paragraph 6-20e: Commanders will present the [US Army Retired] lapel button to Army personnel as a part of the Army Retiring Soldier Commendation Program package at an appropriate ceremony prior to retirement.
- AR 600-8-7, paragraph 3-3b(3)(g): Reserve Component (RC) Retirement Services Offices will maintain a retirement services web page on the command’s web site with an easily located, active link. The site will include scheduled dates, times, and locations of upcoming retirement ceremonies.