Retirement in the OHARNG, Part 3

So, you’re retiring from the military? “Who cares?!” according to the Ohio Army National Guard.

Part 3: Soldiers continue to share their OHARNG retirement experiences.

By Colonel Six, Defend Ohio News Group

7:25 PM ET, Friday, January 14, 2022

Columbus, Ohio ­— Here we are again with more accounts from the Ohio Army National Guard's retirees. I would love nothing more than to say this is the last article in this series, but that doesn't appear to be a realistic prediction. Soldiers and retirees continue to contact us, either to detail their own experiences or to give us leads like "you should contact [insert retiree] because they got screwed too". Sadly, the OHARNG is still dropping the ball, spitting in the faces of its heroes and their families as they walk out the door.

Here are the retirees who we asked about about their experiences this time around:

SFC Carl Diefenbach

SFC Diefenbach was short with his words concerning his retirement experience. “ I was disappointed I didn’t get a ceremony or an award or a goodbye for that matter.” Diefenbach had been so valued while in the OHARNG that leadership didn’t want him to leave. “I was asked not to retire by a very high officer the day before I retired. 31 years was enough.” But like many others, once he decided to retire, all that mattered to those same leaders was finding his replacement. “It’s just sad to see the other great people who I knew in your articles that left without any recognition.”

CW5 Robin Kessler

“It has been over 5 years but it still bugs me,” says Kessler.

Mr. Kessler served on active duty, USAR, and two stints in the OHARNG. In all over 40 years, with the last 20 in the Guard. His retirement process was a disaster as he discovered that his “intent to retire” memo had been sitting untouched on a Beightler E5’s desk for six months. Thanks to a “professional and concerned” E7, a CW5 in personnel, and the Inspector General, his issues were fixed and he received his first retirement check only three weeks later than expected. The E5, Kessler says, was “promoted up and out.” He continued, “If this happened to me as a CW5 with a NGB assignment and over 40 years of service, this has happened to others and was unacceptable… people should be held accountable for their laziness.”

When it came to being recognized for his lengthy career, the OHARNG dropped the ball again. “Weeks later I check my mail and there is a small box wrapped in brown paper and addressed with a Sharpie from Beightler. It was my ‘retirement gift package’ of a flag, pin, sticker, and the form letter thanking me for my service. After my retirement… I was at a funeral with MG Harris present. He actually asked if I was still in the OHARNG. I responded ‘No sir, I retired in February of 2016, sixteen months ago.’ He responded ‘Oh.’ That was it. ‘Oh.’ I guess I should have expected that reaction.

In all I was in the OHARNG for 26 years as a Commander of a high-profile unit and 6 of those years in a high-profile ADOS position. I received absolutely nothing from leadership upon my retirement. Not even a thank you. Nothing. Not even a handshake. To say I am soured about OHARNG leadership would be an understatement. I had excellent Battalion Commanders except for one. But in the end, I was not even shown the door. I had to find it myself.”

SFC Aaron Weaver

SFC Weaver retired from the Ohio AGR program on November 1, 2020 with over 20 years of active duty, 16 years of those being AGR. “I received a phone call from SGM Everett when I signed out in terminal leave saying ‘best wishes’.” Sadly, that was the extent of honoring SFC Weaver and his family’s years of service and sacrifice. Weaver added, “My retirement award had to be rushed though for approval signatures because no one in my COC wanted to write it. I was never contacted about having a retirement ceremony or my award until I mentioned it recently when SGM Everett messaged me because he needed a favor from me. He passed my information to 1SG Kyle Sanders, who actually recognized how fucked this situation was and is fixing it now. 1SG Kyle Sanders was serving as the South Region 1SG when I retired and not in my COC, but he stepped in and has been a huge help, and I thank him for all he has done. I understand that COVID will be used as an excuse as to why they could not support my retirement actions, but I follow the RRB on social media and they have consistently posted videos and pictures of Soldiers receiving awards and recognition throughout this pandemic.” It’s not only disappointing to the retirees that experience this treatment, but also confusing and insulting. SFC Weaver ended with, “I wasn't a piece of shit Soldier and my Leadership failed me.”

It has been 16 months since SFC Weaver retired and he has not been contacted regarding an award or ceremony. SFC Weaver’s leadership team when he retired was SGM Everett, CSM Sprankle, and LTC Gladden.

Anonymous

A reader who didn’t want to be named reached out, saying, “I don’t mind commenting confidentially… nothing is going to change now. I medically retired after 15 years. Total shit show after my MEB process started from a back injury. Recruiting command offered no support while I was going through the process, no reduction in mission while I was going through rehab. A SGM actually questioned why my physical therapy was scheduled for 10am and not earlier in the day. After my rating came from Ft. Knox, it was like I didn’t exist. I worked through some of my transition leave to make sure that the next guy had a chance, and didn’t get so much as a thank you. Nothing! I had a 1SG that had a heart attack and eventually retired who got similar treatment. No retirement party, no thank you, nothing.

I am mortified to hear how widespread this is… I have seen MDAY soldiers get the red carpet. But those of us that were AGR were just an expendable number. I am still butthurt to be honest knowing that soldiers ETS with ARCOMs and MSM’s while many of us only get to clean out our office and quietly leave.", They added, "The SGM I referred to was one who had a leaked sworn statement referencing 'put your mouth on it'." Anonymous ended by saying, "Thanks for coming back from the dead." You're welcome, Anonymous.

Thankfully, not all of the respondents had bad experiences to share. Here are two retirees whose respective commands did a wonderful job honoring their retiring Soldiers:

CW3 Allen Renner

Mr. Renner contacted us to ensure we could showcase his leadership and the effort they put forth. “Retirement was effective 30 Nov 2021. Ceremony was planned and organized by my direct supervisor, the Bde S1, MAJ Stanton. The Bde AO, LTC Draper, supported the event and attended. The Bde Cdr, COL Flaherty, attended and spoke as well as the chief of staff, COL Woodruff.

I thought you would also like to know that I didn't ask anyone to give me a retirement ceremony. The Bde S1 took the initiative to plan it.”

SFC Amy Saltis

We heard through a source that SFC Saltis’s leadership put on an exemplary ceremony for her retirement. After being unable to find any photos or videos on social media, I reached out to her to ask if she’d share. She responded with great praise for her commander, CPT Richard Glass, and 1SG Matt Bagnoli of the 637^th Chemical Company. “They did a stellar job for sure.” She added, “Serving was my pleasure.” Here are some photos she shared with us: