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Sharing my retirement

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Editor,

I’d like to share my retirement. My name is Charleen Crenshaw. I received my final orders for retirement on Sept. 11th. I first entered military service in 1980 as an intelligence analyst, spending my first nine years on active duty in the Army. I transferred to active reserves for two years and then left the service to care for my growing family.   

After careful consideration in 2004, I enlisted once again at the age of 46 and went to school to work in the human resources field. I deployed to Kuwait in 2005 and deployed a second time in 2011. I became the noncommissioned officer in charge of the Postal Rodeos, ensuring mail delivery for outlying bases in Afghanistan for soldiers who had no postal services available.   

I earned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization award, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass and “M” device, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. I also wear the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.  

I retired with 31 years, one month and 12 days of service. So what now? My future is all about volunteer service in my community and seeing much more of my remaining eight children and 11 grandchildren.

Charleen Crenshaw

Ronan

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