Vice chief of staff Cody announces retirement

[unhappycamper]

General waxes nostalgic
Tells AUSA audience of his pride in young soldiers


Vice chief of staff Cody announces retirement
- Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 29, 2008 22:06:16 EST

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Army brass and the defense-industry representatives who attend the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual winter symposium typically are treated to a diet of Hoo-ah speeches and Powerpoint slides. But the Army’s No. 2 surprised them instead with a retirement announcement laced with nostalgia and anecdotes, which underscored that, for him, the best part of a career in the Army was being with the joes.

“A lot of you old guys in the room ... who used to wear the Army uniform, you’ll know what I’m talking about,” Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody told meeting attendees.

Cody said his last day in uniform would be Aug. 4.

“As I walked up here today,” he said, “I’m probably standing my last formation with this group. This will be my last speech at an AUSA convention. I’ll be retiring in the fall, and I need to take the opportunity to thank you all, AUSA in particular, and our industry partners with whom we’ve worked over the past six years to help these soldiers. On behalf of our soldiers I want to personally say thank you.”

The Defense Department announced Feb. 7 that Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno had been nominated to become the next vice chief of staff, but no definitive announcement was made about Cody’s next move.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/army_cody_022908w/