Illinois Guardsman retires after 27 years of service

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Col. Christopher Hall of Springfield, Illinois,retired after 27 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard. (Submitted photo)

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Col. Christopher Hall of Springfield, Illinois, retired after more than 27 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard, the last five and a half as Illinois' United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO).

"What I'm going to miss about being in the National Guard is being part of a team with a common purpose," Hall said. "I will miss putting on the uniform every day."

Hall, a Mount Carmel native, enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in 1987 as a combat engineer. After his unit leadership selected him for Warrior Challenge, a series of boards and reviews where Soldiers can learn more about officer candidacy school, Hall entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1990.

"I felt honored they selected me," Hall said. "I felt a duty and a responsibility to enter OCS."

As an officer, Hall served in a variety of roles, from quartermaster commander to logistics officer to working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). In December 2008, Hall took over as the USPFO for Illinois and served in that position until June 2014. Hall coordinated with Washington to provide funding and logistic support for the Illinois National Guard.

"Doing the USPFO job (in Illinois) was a good way to finish out my career," Hall said.

Daniel Krumrei, the Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard, said Hall's service as USPFO was exemplary.

"Colonel Hall always has taken on tough assignments, whether here in Illinois or around the military, including nearly six years as USPFO, proceeded by battalion command and more than 60 months of joint duty service at the JCS and at United States Central Command," Krumrei said.

Hall said his philosophy is to leave any team, place or unit better than he found it. With National Guard Bureau asking Hall's office to teach, assist and develop other USPFOs around the country, Hall feels like he has done that.

"Not on my own, but as a team we've done that," Hall said.

After serving in an active duty capacity since 1995, Hall will transition into his new job with the Federal Highway Administration, continuing a career in government affairs.

"I see many challenges and opportunities to be a key contributor," Hall said. "I knew it was a perfect fit."

Hall met his wife, Kimberly, during his time traveling to Camp Lincoln in Springfield for OCS. The couple have two children, a son Alec, 17, and a daughter Kristin, 13.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at

ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil

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