Sycamore Soldier Retires After Nearly 32 Years of Service

Story by Sgt. Jeffery Granda, 139th Mobile Public Affair Detachment

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Lt. Col. Jim Robideau of Sycamore, as private at Fort Benning Ga., in 1981. Robideau retired Aug. 31 from the Illinois Army National Guard after three decades of service.

SYCAMORE, ILL. (09/05/2012)(readMedia)-- After nearly 32 years of military service in the National Guard, Lt. Col. Jim Robideau of Sycamore, retired from the Illinois National Guard Aug. 31.

Robideau enlisted as a private in the Florida Army National Guard more three decades earlier on Dec. 17, 1981. He was commissioned in 1984 and served as an aviation and field artillery officer. He transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard in 1995.

"One of the things that attracted me to the National Guard in the first place was the chance to serve with my friends and neighbors, people who I enjoyed seeing between drills," said Robideau.

Robideau is an attorney in northern Illinois. He said balancing his civilian career and service as a traditional National Guardsman has always been a challenge.

"I tell people I've had the toughest job in the National Guard – that of a (traditional) Soldier," Robideau said. "The National Guard has been good to me. It paid for my college education, law school and flight training."

Robideau comes from a long line of military servicemembers. His family has deep roots in the Illinois National Guard and other branches of the military.

"Military service was in my blood," he said.

Robideau said his great-grandfather, Peter Robideau, enlisted in Company G, 113th Infantry Regiment of Illinois Volunteers in 1862 and was injured in the Vicksburg campaign. His grandfather, Sam Robideau, was a world ranked Navy champion boxer who knocked out future World Champ Freddie Welsh. His father, Larry Robideau, spent three decades in the Naval Air Reserve, retiring as a senior chief petty officer.

Robideau served two tours in Afghanistan and was mobilized for Hurricane Katrina relief operations in 2005. He is the recipient of more than two dozen awards, unit citations and badges, including the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge and is a rated Army aviator.

Robideau said of his tours helping support the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts in Louisiana are a highlight in his career.

"That is really what I joined the Guard for in 1980-- to help fellow Americans in need," said Robideau. "Of course, having a last name like 'Robideau' made the Louisiana officials think I was one of them, even though I have no Cajuns in my direct line of ancestors. They kept calling for 'Maj. Robideau' because they thought I was kin, and I was glad to set them at ease."

For more than 30 years Robideau has faithfully served his nation and his fellow Soldiers, said retired 2nd Lt. Dan Wellman of Sherman, who before commissioning served as the senior enlisted adviser of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment when Robideau served as its commander.

"He's an honest guy who treated his Soldiers with respect. He's loyal and would do anything to help those who formerly served under him," said Wellman. "I wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Robideau plans to keep busy flying, writing, and spending time with his wife and family.

photo 1) Submitted photo/ Lt. Col. Jim Robideau of Sycamore, as private at Fort Benning Ga., in 1981. Robideau retired Aug. 31 from the Illinois Army National Guard after three decades of service.

Photo 2) Submitted photo/ Lt. Col. Jim Robideau of Sycamore, in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in 2009 while deployed with the Illinois National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Robideau retired Aug. 31 from the Illinois Army National Guard after three decades of service

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Maj. Gen. Dennis Celletti of Springfield, the Acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard awards the Meritorious Service Medal to Lt. Col. Jim Robideau of Sycamore, for his nearly 30 years of military service Aug. 30 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Robideau retired from the Illinois Army National Aug. 31.