Today is my husband Gregg’s last day in military uniform. He is finishing up his National Guard drill day and will take those boots off for the last time. He will officially retire from the United States Army on Tuesday.

He’s been in for 29 years, has served in combat zones for 8 years – first in Desert Storm (with 101st Airborne) and then Operation Enduring Freedom [with 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)]

He received many high awards and recognitions. He earned Air Assault Wings, Rigger Wings, Airborne Wings, and a Combat Action Badge.

He’s attended countless schools, mentored soldiers all over the world, and because of some special skills sets, has worked closely with well known generals like Schwarzkopf, Petraeus, and for a time, the Emir of Kuwait.

He has logged 162 jumps from nearly everything that flies in the military inventory (including a C-5 Galaxy, a Russian Antinev Byplane, and a HIPP helicopter – thus earning his Polish, Slovakian, and East German jump wings as well as American). He has often said that he’s never seen a perfectly good aircraft but he’s seen millions of perfectly good parachutes. He is a Rappel Master and has repelled thousands of times, including in combat zones.

(That picture is actually Gregg.)

His wings would be jump masters wings if I hadn’t had the poor manners of needing an emergency C-Section when Scott was only 30 weeks — during Gregg’s second week of Jump Master’s School.

He’s had a long and valorous career. He’s made good friends, subdued some bad enemies, and served with honor and integrity.

I am so very proud of him and his service to our country.

Gregg inspired and helped me write my LOVE AND HONOR series. If you’d like to know more about a soldier’s life in peace and war, check them out!