Retiring Soldier finds inspiration for service in many places

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Col. Randall Scott (right) of Jacksonville, briefs during a 33rd Area Support Group rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., in 2002.

• Col. Randall Scott of Jacksonville, his wife, Denise, and son, Kelson, enjoy an impromptu laugh during his promotion to colonel in 2011.
• Col. Randall J.Scott of Jacksonville, Illinois, speaks during his retirement ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, June 7, 2014.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (06/08/2014)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. 1st Class Rob Fafoglia, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers have many inspirations for their military service. Col. Randall J. Scott, of Jacksonville, Illinois, is no different.

"I frequently see, hear and read inspiration from ordinary people overcoming obstacles and hardships," said Scott. "To me, the inspiration of the common individual overcoming odds helps create an environment where people want to work and do their best."

Scott received his commission as a Combat Engineer Officer from the Western Illinois University Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program as a distinguished graduate in 1984. He retires as the Construction and Facility Management Officer (CFMO) for the Illinois Army National Guard in June. In this capacity, he functions as the senior engineer staff officer for the Adjutant General of Illinois, where he plans, directs and administers the CFMO for the state, including all real property operations, maintenance, repair and construction actions for all Illinois Army National Guard facilities.

He said his favorite part of the job is planning for what is to come.

"The Construction and Facilities Management Office looks ahead more than any other directorate in Joint Forces Headquarters," said Scott. "I like the challenge of planning for the future of the Illinois Army National Guard and working toward those plans."

Those who worked with Scott over the years praised his abilities and methods.

"As the director of facilities (at Camp Lincoln), he oversaw some very progressive and much-needed projects for our facilities," said retired Col. James Smith of Chatham, Ill., military executive for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. "His ability to work with state and federal entities to maximize resources...there was none better than him."

Forward thinking is not Scott's only strong suit however, said Smith.

"I've worked with him for 20 years. In the field as well as in headquarters," Smith said. "He has led troops in various capacities and he is an amazing commander as well as an outstanding military leader."

Scott said he attributes much of his success to those who worked with and for him.

"Over the years I have worked with some really great Soldiers," he said. "My success is directly related to them. I (used) their abilities and experience to improve the different units and sections, which in turn helped me improve myself. I have also had some good mentors along the way."

His relationship with his Soldiers is part of what makes him a great leader, said Smith.

"He is totally dedicated to the mission," he said. "At the same time, he is focused on the health, welfare and well-being of his people."

Scott said there is something special about those in uniform he served with over the years.

"There is a certain comradeship amongst Soldiers that you don't find elsewhere," he said. "I like being a part of an organization that takes action in the community, country and the world. I will miss working with my staff, full time and part time, and all my peers. I will miss the many Soldiers I've worked with over the years."

Although he may be retiring, Scott will continue to work.

"I'm currently looking for the right job for the next chapter in my life," he said. "My wife and I have a phased family. The first two kids are in college and the other two will be in junior high and elementary school. Therefore, I definitely need to have another short career to get them through school. I will make use of the extra weekends I will have now to share with my family, fix things and go fishing. Getting those weekends back will be nice."

Scott said he cannot wait to spend more time with this family.

"I'm a family man and my family is my hobby," he said. "Working with my kids and taking part in their activities provides me a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment."

Family is so important to Scott that they played a large part during his promotion to colonel. Scott said his youngest son, Kelson, and his wife, Denise, were present during the ceremony. Scott held Kelson, who changed Scott's rank.

As the generals talked, Kelson got bored," said Scott. "With everybody watching, he reached down and ripped my colonel rank off of my uniform, gave it to mom, took the lieutenant colonel rank from mom and placed it on my uniform. He demoted me in the middle of my promotion. He stole the show."

In the end, it all comes back to what inspires a person, said Scott.

"God and my family have always been my main inspiration," he said. "Many people in our everyday life provide me inspiration...people who help others in many different ways. This is truly my inspiration to do what I do the best that I can. It reminds me that God works in mysterious and wondrous ways, selecting the unexpected person to do his work."

Anxious though he may be to spend more quality time with his family, Scott will be missed, by both the Soldiers he commanded and the officers under whom he served.

"Col. Scott's consistency, dependability, hard work and sense of humor enabled him to rise as a top leader in the Illinois National Guard," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "His dedication to his faith, his family, his nation, his state, and his neighbors, is exemplary. We are all grateful for his service and sacrifices."

Photo captions:

Photo courtesy of Col. Randall Scott/ Col. Randall Scott (right) of Jacksonville, briefs during a 33rd Area Support Group rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., in 2002. Scott will retire this year after 34 years of service, 24 of it in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Photo courtesy of Col. Randall Scott/ Col. Randall Scott of Jacksonville, his wife, Denise, and son, Kelson, enjoy an impromptu laugh during his promotion to colonel in 2011. Scott will retire this year after 34 years of service, 24 of it in the Illinois Army National Guard.

Col. Randall J.Scott of Jacksonville, Illinois, speaks during his retirement ceremony at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, June 7, 2014. (U,S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Jason T. Dorsey, Released)

Additional retirement ceremony photos are available upon request at ng.il.ilarng.list.staff-pao@mail.mil