Oakley Soldier Retires After Nearly 40 Years of Military Service

Related Media

Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt of Hopedale awards Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Nuding of Oakley, the Military Medal of Merit.

BLOOMINGTON, IL (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Nuding of Oakley retired from the Illinois Army National Guard April 28. Friends and family celebrated his nearly 40-year career with a retirement ceremony at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Bloomington.

"I never thought I would have been in the Army National Guard for 38 years after I enlisted on July 5, 1972," said Nuding, the former senior enlisted adviser for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Chicago.

The ceremony included a slideshow filled with pictures throughout Nuding's years of service, presentation of gifts and awards and even a memorable roast of the retired command sergeant major.

Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt of Hopedale, the director of the Joint Staff for the Illinois National Guard, awarded Nuding the Legion of Merit and Military Medal of Merit.

Pratt also presented Nuding the book "Citizen Soldiers." Pratt said this book embodies what Nuding was - "a real citizen-Soldier." He also said he was honored and glad he could work side by side with Nuding when Pratt served as the commander of the 404th.

Nuding gave a speech at the end of the ceremony.

"What I will remember most is all the friendships I have made. I think that stands out the most," said Nuding.

If it wasn't for the Illinois Army National Guard, Nuding said he would have never met his wife Tamara. The two went to the Advanced Noncommissioned Officers course together in 1984.

Nuding said he was glad he was afforded the opportunity to be the 404th's senior enlisted adviser.

"I got to meet a lot more Soldiers during training and work with commanders. It will always be a memorable experience," said Nuding.

He said it was a goal he had set to become a command sergeant major and he had achieved that goal.

Nuding said he plans on taking it easy for a period of time, catching up on things he hasn't been able to do in years and plans to travel.

In his farewell speech, Nuding shared a story about finding a cot with his name on it and one he used over in Iraq at an antique store.

"You know it's time to retire when you see a cot you used in an antique store," said Nuding.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Stimac, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public Affairs/ Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt of Hopedale awards Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Nuding of Oakley, the Military Medal of Merit during Nuding's retirement ceremony April 28 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Bloomington.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Stimac, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public Affairs/ Lt. Col. Harvey Lloyd of Springfield, acting commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade presented a certificate of Honorable Discharge to Command Sgt. Major Michael Nuding of Oakley, at Nuding's retirement ceremony April 28 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Bloomington.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Stimac, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public Affairs/ Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt presents Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Nuding of Oakley the book entitled "Citizen Soldiers" during Nuding's retirement ceremony April 28 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Bloomington. Pratt said this was a book he thought gave special meaning to Nuding's career as a true citizen-Soldier.