Retirement Ceremony

MSgt Gary Warkentin

12 August 2011, 1530 Mike OCallaghan Federal Hospital Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Sequence of Events
Opening Remarks Arrival of the Official Party National Anthem Invocation Introduction of Guests Remarks by Col John J. Degoes Decoration Presentation Retirement Order Certificates and Presentations Flag Folding Ceremony Video Retrospective Final Remarks by MSgt Warkentin Departure of Official Party Reception

Biography
Master Sergeant Gary Warkentin is the 99th Medical Support Squadrons additional-duty First Sergeant at Nellis AFB, Nevada. MSgt Gary Warkentin, a native of Santa Barbara, California, enlisted in the Air Force as a Fire Protection Specialist in 1987 then spent the next several years preserving life and property at RAF Bentwaters, Peterson AFB, and RAF Chicksands. He was certified by the National Fire Protection Agency as a Fire Officer, Fire Inspector, and Fire Investigator; qualified in high-angle rope rescue and emergency medical dispatching; and a decorated, life-saving Emergency Medical Technician. Seeking greater excitement, MSgt Warkentin traded his lights and sirens for a microscope, cross-training as the DoDs top graduate into the exclusive field of Cytotechnology, 1 of 24 in the only AFSC for which enlisted members rendered diagnoses without physician oversight. His tour at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany ushered MSgt Warkentin into the SNCO fold and culminated as NCOIC of the Department of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Services. Upon PCSing to his next assignment at Keesler AFB, MSgt Warkentin was selected for First Sergeant duty with the 81st Communications Squadron to look after. He was then picked up by the 352d Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall, joining the leadership team for one of the most highly decorated units in the Air Force, a member of the first AF organization to earn the Gallant Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force the group equivalent of a Silver Star. After 6 years wearing the diamond, MSgt Warkentin returned to his hospital roots, bringing a unique skill-set to the Mike OCallaghan Federal Hospital at Nellis AFB as Appointment Line Operator, Medical Records File Clerk, Group Practice Manager, Executive Officer, Commanders Support Staff Flight Chief, and finally Additional-Duty Shirt!

Assignments
January 1988 January 1990, Fire Fighter, 81st Civil Engineering Squadron, RAF Bentwaters, United Kingdom January 1990 July 1992, Supervisor, Fire Alarm Communications Center, 21st Civil Engineering Squadron, Peterson AFB, CO August 1992 June 1995, Heavy Rescue Crew Chief, 774th Civil Engineer Squadron, RAF Chicksands, United Kingdom June 1995 May 1996, Student, U.S. Army School of Cytotechnology, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX June 1996 June 2000, NCOIC Department of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Services, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany June 2000 May 2003, First Sergeant, 81st Communication Squadron, Keesler AFB, MS May 2003 May 2007, First Sergeant, 21st Special Operations Squadron, 352d Operations Support Squadron, 352d Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom May 2007 Present, Hospital Appointment Line Operator, Medical Records File Clerk, Group Practice Manager, Group Executive Officer, Commanders Support Staff Flight Chief, Additional-Duty First Sergeant, Nellis AFB, NV The Future... Center for Complex Operations, National Defense University, Washington D.C.

Awards & Decorations

Air Force Gallant Unit Citation Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster Army Achievement Medal Air Force Achievement Medal Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Valor Device 2009 Inspector General Superior Performance Award 1999 TRICARE Health Care Reengineering Project, DoD Best Practice in Cytotechnology 1999 NCO of the Year, 86th Medical Squadron 1998 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal 1998 Teamwork Award, Kisling NCO Academy 1996 DoD Distinguished Honor Graduate, U.S. Army School of Cytotechnolgy 1994 Hurst Green Cross Award for Extraordinary Rescue Using Jaws of Life Rescue Tools 1992 Inspector General Professional Performance Award 1990 Distinguished Graduate, NCO Prepatory Course 1987 Basic Military Training Honor Graduate

Education
2011 Master Science, Health Sciences, Emergency Management Trident University 2008 Associate in Applied Science, Health Care Management Community College of the Air Force 2004 Special Operations Liaison Element course, Special Operations University, Hurlburt Field, FL 2004 Joint Special Operations Air Component course, Special Operations University, Hurlburt Field, FL 2004 Joint Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy 2002 Associate in Applied Science, Personnel Administration, Community College of the Air Force 2001 First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL 2000 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy 1997 Associate in Applied Science, Medical Laboratory Technology, Community College of the Air Force 1997 Bachelor's of Science, Cellular Biology, Excelsior University, NY 1996 U.S. Army School of Cytotechnology, Fort Sam Houston, TX 1993 Space Shuttle Orbiter Fire/Rescue crs, Edwards AFB, CA 1990 Associate in Applied Science, Fire Science, Community College of the Air Force 1987 Associate in Arts, Liberal Studies, Santa Barbara City College, CA

My Last Parade
Let the bugle blow Let the march be played With the forming of the troops For my last parade The years of wars, and the years of waiting Obedience to orders, unhesitating Years in the states, and the years overseas All woven in a web... of memories A lifetime of service passes in review As many good friends and exotic places too In the waning sunlight begin to fade With martial music of my last parade My last salute to the service and base Now someone else will take my place To the sharp young soldiers marching away I gladly pass the orders of the day Though uncertain what my future may hold Still, if needed - before I grow too old Ill keep my saber sharp, my powder dry Lest I be recalled to duty by and by So let the bugle blow... Fire the evening gun... Slowly lower the colors... My retirement has begun

U.S. Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun!) Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!