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Her professional success cannot be reduced to numbers, yet they are indicators of her loyalty and commitment. Ulrike Spedden, the protocol officer at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, is retiring after more than 40 years with the U.S. Armed Forces in Germany. For the past 20 years she has worked in the protocol section of the 21st TSC’s Office of the Secretary General Staff.
Born in Braunschweig in Northern Germany, Ms. Spedden has spent her entire career working for the U.S. military.
“I grew up bilingual so there was not too much of a language barrier — except for the military lingo and technical terms and expression,” she said.
Still, when the protocol position was advertised, she initially was hesitant about such a high profile and demanding job. Ms. Spedden credits Rick Fontana, a former deputy chief of staff at the 21st TSC, for convincing her to apply.
“He just insisted and kept telling me, ‘you can do it,’” she said.
Twenty years later, Ms. Spedden has demonstrated she could — and has successfully worked for 10 commanding generals, 14 deputy commanding generals and seven command sergeants major.
“When you have Uly on your team, you can’t have a bad day. She can make miracles happen, even under the most trying circumstances. Because of her excellent work — day in, day out – we have extremely high expectations of her and yet, every event, every project she tackles, she’ll blow us away,” said Maj. William Galinger, the SGS at the 21st TSC.
“I am simply not afraid to ask questions. For me, it’s a sign of strength if you ask for and accept advice,” Ms. Spedden said. “I’ve put my heart into this position. And, I totally believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated in return.”
The enthusiastically appreciative remarks of those she works with or for substantiate that she indeed has been considerate in her dealings with people.
“She is the most professional, caring and dedicated person I’ve worked with in my entire military career. People want to work with her. She makes even the hardest tasks look easy,” said Col. Sharon Duffy, the deputy commanding officer at the 21st TSC.
Also telling is that more than 100 friends and colleagues came to honor her professional career and to celebrate her retirement with her.
As luck would have it, Mr. Fontana was in country and attended Ms. Spedden’s farewell dinner as did former 21st TSC chief of staff, Peter Lichtenberger, who is now working with the U.S. Army Europe Headquarters in Heidelberg. Rick Irvin, also a former deputy chief of staff, visiting from the U.S., had dinner with Ms. Spedden several days before.
“I have been immensely fortunate to always have had great bosses. The Army has been very good to me,” Ms. Spedden said.
The Army and her bosses seem to reciprocate the sentiment. She was presented with the Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award at her retirement dinner.
