U.S. Army Retirement Speech

Fort Myer Chapel
February 16, 2023

It is great to see all of you today. Some of you have traveled great distances, and others a few miles, but all of you have given up your time to be here with the Rogness family as we close this chapter of life. Thank you.

When I gave a speech at the time of my promotion a few years ago, I took the theme of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go." So, as I stand before you today and reflect on twenty-four years of wearing the Army uniform, it's more like, "Oh, the Places You've Been." However, the new book would read more like an autobiography, but this is what days like today do. They cause you to reflect back on time.

As a seventeen-year-old high school student enlisting in the Army Reserve, I never sought to see the world, but I have. I never saw myself living in and contributing to history, but in my own way, I have.

Truthfully, my time in Afghanistan taught me how young, immature, and unprepared for the life I really was. Serving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center during the height of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq showed me how precious life is as the hospital cared for wounded warriors. And my time at the Pentagon has continued to remind me that we simply occupy offices and positions for a season of life, while being entrusted as stewards with the responsibilities accompanying our offices.

Recently, I shared some words of Gregory the Great with the congregation I serve. In his Book of Pastoral Rule, Gregory wrote, “Therefore, those who preside over others should consider not their rank, but the equality of their condition. Moreover, they should revel not in ruling over others but in helping them.”

While Gregory the Great is writing to pastors in this instance, these words also apply to us as military members. When we strip away the uniform and all its adornments, at the core, the equality of our condition is the same. We all hurt. We just hurt differently. We all need help. We just need help in different ways.

One of the great lessons I have been afforded while serving in a myriad of positions at the Pentagon is this, while our rank may increase, it’s not power or control that accompanies our offices, but rather a greater need and responsibility to support and serve others. That’s leadership, serving others.

When I reflect on the day I joined the Army, the thought of my parents signing my enlistment documents for me to enlist does not leave me. Having a father who served in Vietnam, a brother who served in the National Guard, and grandfathers who both served and fought during WWII, they knew what signing those documents meant. By signing my enlistment documents, my parents served our country by giving her their youngest son. Thank you, mom and dad – for being there when I enlisted, when I left home, and the many times I returned only to go again. I can't imagine what it has been like for you, but I love you, and thank you.

Now, while those of us in uniform must be away from home throughout our careers, we need people in our life to also serve us and keep us motivated throughout our time in uniform. Two of my dear friends, Chad, and Sam, flew out to be here today. But these two friends were also at the airport the day I returned home from basic training. They were my roommates at college when I left for Afghanistan. They visited my family when my grandparents died and I was away. They were there when I came home. They've always been there for my family and me. They are a testament in a world of division that true lifelong friendships still exist. Thank you both for being present in my life and supporting my family.

Unfortunately, my brother Luther cannot be here today. Still, I am so thankful to have my sister, Eve, her husband, Jay, and my niece Emma with us (my nephew, Luke, would have been here, but he just began a new job today).

For the baby of the family to succeed, he needs a brother and a sister who care for him and support him throughout the ups and downs of life. My siblings have been with me every step of the way, from being at my graduation from basic training to driving me home from Fort McCoy, WI, when I returned from overseas, and everywhere in between. If I called them in the middle of the night from Incirlik, Turkey, or just to hear a friendly voice, they'd always answered, always listened, and always cared for me. Thank you, and I love you.

As our family has grown and expanded these past years, I've been reminded that many bodies are also counting on my service at home.

While my wife, Becky, knew what she was getting into when she married me (kinda), she accepted the potential of mobilizations and deployments that could be. Still, our children did not have a choice in the matter. While Lydia, Samson, Jonah, Gabriel, and Miriam love their trips to the Pentagon or attending military functions, their mother has fostered a wonderful love for country and a supportive home for me to continue serving. All the good our children learn in this life comes from their mother, and I thank God for such a faithful wife. Becky, you are the love of my life and the best mother I know. I love you.

Now, statistics say the military is a family business, and judging by our family’s history, odds are decent that at least one of you, Lydia, Samson, Jonah, Gabriel, and Miriam, will join the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Honestly, I don't even want to think of this possibility. It just makes me wonder what was going on in my parents’ minds back in 1999. But the gift I am giving you today is a small way for me to remind you as you get older, no matter what happens in life, don't lose your way – stay on point, keep going in the right direction, keep the faith, and always look to your Savior, Jesus Christ. Truthfully, even if you were to lose everything, all that really matters is your faith.

And you should always know if you ever feel lost, your mother and father will always love you and help you along the way.

Alright, so that’s it, that’s everything.

I joined the Army to serve our nation, and along the way, the Army taught me to serve others. So you could say, this is my Army story – it's a story that has formed me into who I am today, and for this, I am thankful for serving.

Pro Deo Et Patria – “For God and Country”