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Man with Marion roots retires from Army
Published November 8, 2009
MARION — When a man goes out into the world, he takes with him the things he learned at home, and that’s how it was for Armando Ramirez, who grew up in Marion, and left three decades ago to serve his country.
Thursday, The United States Army said thank you and farewell to Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army South Armando Ramirez in a retirement ceremony at Fort Sam Houston Texas, and sent him back home to his mother, Julia, his wife, Cindy, and the rest of his family after a three-decade career that took him from the army’s lowest enlisted rank to its very highest.
About 500 soldiers and civilians attended the ceremony, including a sizeable contingent of the solder’s family, friends and neighbors from Marion and Guadalupe County.
In Ramirez’s last several postings dating from 1999 at Fort Sill, Okla., the field artilleryman and Ranger has held the rank of Command Sergeant Major (CSM) in a series of positions of increasing responsibility, ending with his appointment at U.S. Army South in 2006, where he served under the command of Major General Keith M. Huber.
CSM is the senior enlisted advisor to the commanding officer of an army command, serving as mentor, monitor and advocate for all the enlisted and non-commissioned officers in army commands of battalion level and higher. The CSM is responsible for the unit’s flag or “colors,” and fulfills other administrative and ceremonial functions.
A commissioned officer is always the highest authority in a military unit, but it is widely acknowledged in training and doctrine that the success of the command depends as well on its senior non-commissioned officer and his or her relationship with the commander.
Huber, Ramirez’s two-star general who is also a Ranger, made it very clear at the ceremony that his relationship with Ramirez was highly prized — that not only was the Marion native the senior enlisted man at U.S. Army South, but a friend, confidante and respected advisor.
“Ranger buddy, we’re in the patrol base now, and you’re wondering what your next mission will be,” Huber said in his remarks.
“We’ve heard about all the places you have been, all the decorations and badges you have earned. The civilian world doesn’t have the opportunity to truly know the profession of being a soldier, but when you look at us, we wear what we have done on our uniform. What really marks the profession of being in the military is in the eyes of everyone here today to honor you, Command Sergeant Major. Don’t worry about RPI’s, Ranger buddy. Don’t worry about the insignificant piece of paper that tells you whether you did a good job. The people here in this room will tell you, and your next patrol will be an adventure.”
The general said it was difficult for him to tell with the proper reverence and profundity of his respect for Ramirez and his service of his country.
“If you ever need me on your next patrol, I’ll be there,” Huber said. “And so will all of these people. God bless you, Command Sergeant Major.”
As part of the ceremony, Huber then pinned a Distinguished Service Medal on Ramirez’s chest, and hung a medal for community service on Ramirez’s wife and friend of 35 years, the former Cindy Anderson.
Ramirez was taken aback by the tribute from his commanding officer.
“Holy moly!” Ramirez exclaimed, shaking his head upon taking the podium as Huber left the stage and then turning to the troops who worked for them both. “I’m very proud, but without your hard work, your commitment and your dedication to duty, this wouldn’t have been possible. This is all about you and what you represent. I couldn’t have done this without you, U.S. Army South! Thank you for making my job — and Cindy’s job — easy.
Then, Ramirez turned to his wife, and choked up.
“Thank you for following me all around the world for 29-1/2 years and thank you for being my best friend for 35 years. Thank you for all your sacrifices. I love you very much.”
He spoke of his son, Brandon, and his daughter, Julie, his grandchildren and the rest of his family. He singled out his mother, Julia, for her contribution to his life, and his in-laws, Andy and Betty Anderson, for their love and friendship.
“My father-in-law is a retired colonel from the United States Air Force,” he said. “I would like to give both of my moms a thank-you. Major General Huber, thank you very much for your trust and confidence and for giving me the opportunity to serve as your command sergeant major. This has been an awesome ride — and an awesome 31-1/2 years. I will not forget where I came from or how I got where I am today — soldiers.”
There was one other thing, though. Besides his soldiers, Ramirez depended upon the foundation of his upbringing in a small Texas town as the foundation of his success in the army, as well.
“It all begins in the home, with the morals and values you learn from your family,” Ramirez said. “I brought that with me into the army.”
And now, after a career that took him around the world and to the top echelons of the United States Army, a kid from Marion has come home.
Ramirez said he knew of no place he’d rather live than the place where he grew up.
“I wanted to come back to my home, and I wanted to be with my entire family,” Ramirez said.
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