Illinois National Guard Chaplain Retires After More Than 30 Years of Service

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BARTLETT, IL (03/03/2011)(readMedia)-- Chaplain Lt. Col. Jerry H. Gleason of Bartlett, the deputy state chaplain for the Illinois Army National Guard, will retire March 31, after 31 years of uniformed service.

Gleason said he initially wanted to serve in the military on a ship in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

"After taking the entrance exam three different times I was rejected each time because all they needed were jet mechanics," he said.

In 1968, while waiting for his draft number to come up, a co-worker suggested he join the Army Reserves. Gleason said he was hesitant, but his brother in Vietnam sent him a letter telling him to join, so he did.

Gleason enlisted as a wheeled-vehicle mechanic, but left the Army in 1974 to attend college in preparation for Christian ministry.

After seminary, Gleason moved to Bartlett to start a new church and become a pastor. After three years at this church, a stranger approached him and changed his life, he said.

"I was challenged by a person whom I had never seen or ever saw again to join the reserves because they were short on chaplains," said Gleason. "I was already serving as a pastor and thought serving as a chaplain might be a good fit for me and the military."

Gleason said he applied and was accepted as a chaplain for the Illinois National Guard in 1985, and found it to be a very good fit.

"I loved what I was doing and appreciated the freedom that command entrusted me with to do my job for Soldiers and families," he said. "Before I knew it I was half-way to 20 years and then before I knew it, it was 20 years."

Gleason said after he hit his 20-year anniversary, he told himself he would stay in for one or two more years. He did this for more than a decade.

In 2003 Gleason volunteered for a year of active duty and was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. He said he cherishes the six months that he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, but said returning to the Illinois National Guard was equally gratifying.

Gleason returned to Illinois after his year of active duty to become the 65th Troop Command Brigade chaplain and continued his civilian ministry in Bartlett.

In 2008 Gleason again went on active duty, this time with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the rear detachment chaplain, serving in that capacity until the end of December 2010. He now serves as the state deputy chaplain until his retirement date of March 31.

Gleason said the decision to stay in the military or to separate is not one a Soldier should make alone.

"I was going to separate at two different times in my career, only to receive some wise guidance from others," he said. "I think everyone has to weigh out for themselves as to why or why not, but too often our personal feelings blind us from making the wise decision."

Gleason said it is important for Soldiers to find someone they can trust and who exercises good judgment to discuss reenlistment issues.

Gleason said after retirement he will be a pastor at a church in Elgin and volunteer with another ministry in the area that provides services to Soldiers and their families.

"It has been wisely said, 'the Soldier may take off the uniform, but they never take off the military,'" said Gleason. "How true that will be for me."

Photos 1 and 2 Lt. Col. Jerry H. Gleason of Bartlett

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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Story by Sgt. Keith Vanklompenberg, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment