Chastain retires after 38 years of service
By CAPT. CHRIS HEATHSCOTT
SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON — Maj. Gen. Ron Chastain, the deputy commanding general for the Army National Guard at the United States Forces Command, and former adjutant general of Arkansas, was honored in a retirement ceremony Oct. 2.
The Conway resident was given an emotional send-off that commemorated his 38 years of military service to the state of Arkansas and the nation. His many accomplishments include a war-time command of the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and a stint as the state’s adjutant general.
“Even though he’s transitioning from uniform to civilian clothes in the next couple of weeks, he’ll always be a Soldier,” said Maj. Gen. William D. Wofford, the current adjutant general of Arkansas. “He’ll always be a part of our Guard Family.
“Ron, I want to personally thank you for what you’ve done for the National Guard, our state and the nation,” said Wofford to Chastain and the many well-wishers who filled Davis Auditorium at the Professional Education Center at Camp Robinson.
Chastain began his military career when he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, upon graduation from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on July 7, 1972.
Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, 87th Troop Command and the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate). He commanded the 25th Rear Area Operations Center during Operation Desert Storm, and commanded the 39th during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
He assumed the duties as the chief of staff (wartime), United States Forces, Korea, in October 2005, and received federal recognition as a major general of the line on Oct. 17, 2005. He served as adjutant general from July 15, 2006 through Feb. 15, 2007 before assuming duties at FORSCOM Feb. 16, 2007.
Notable among those who spoke about Chastain during the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk W. Conley, the state command sergeant major for the Oregon National Guard. Conley was the senior enlisted of the Oregon National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, which was attached to the 39th under Chastain’s command during the brigade’s first deployment to Iraq.
“On behalf of Major General (Raymond F.) Rees, (the adjutant general of Oregon), and myself, I want to wish you well in your retirement,” Conley said. “It was a pleasure and an honor to serve with you in Iraq, sir.”
After receiving a litany of awards and accolades, Chastain addressed the crowd and thanked his wife for standing by him throughout nearly four decades of service.
“I want to thank my wife Pam for telling me what I needed to hear, and not always what I wanted to hear,” Chastain said. “I love you, dear.”
Chastain acknowledged the many challenges he’s faced as a member of the Guard, noting that he has drilled at 11 different armories in the state, resulting in commutes from his home from as short as three miles, to more than 300 miles.
“I have been blessed to have served in the Arkansas Army National Guard,” Chastain said. “Now it’s time to depart the ranks.”
Chastain went on to quote Alexander Graham Bell by saying, “When one door closes another one opens, but we often look so long and regretfully at that closed door that we fail to see the one that’s opened for us.
“It’s been a great military career and I will not look back with regret,” Chastain said. “I’m filled with pride because of the incredible accomplishments of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Arkansas National Guard, and I’m certainly humbled to have had the opportunity to serve with you.”
