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The senior traffic manager and senior transportation adviser for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s support operations directorate is retiring after 43 years of civilian service with the U.S. Army in Germany.
Heinz Schneider’s career started by happenstance. On his last day in the German army, he decided to celebrate with some friends at a local bar. After the celebration he wanted to take the bus home but came across a huge problem. He had no money.
Mr. Schneider, who is from Glanbrücken, Germany, and a friend decided to walk to a neighboring town, where he had family who could give him a ride.
While walking there he came across an enormous sign at the Nahbollenbach U.S. Army Depot, which said employees were needed. He decided then he would apply. He came back a few days later, was hired as a transportation assistant immediately and began his first day on the job. It was Aug. 28, 1968.
Throughout his career he served in various positions in the transportation field such as transportation assistant, traffic management specialist and senior traffic manager.
While serving in those positions, he has earned nearly 30 awards and recognitions of achievements ranging from the NATO Medal of Service, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Ancient Order of St. Christopher Award.
In addition, Mr. Schneider came up with several ideas that made deploying easier for Soldiers by getting them and their equipment closer to their deployment locations.
Mr. Schneider met with NATO partners and established a military working group with host nation railroad companies. This led to the U.S. military being able to conduct rail movement through Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia in support of Kosovo operations. “The work was not as important as supporting the customers and taking care of the Soldiers,” Mr. Schneider said.
“He was a huge asset to the movement control teams in Europe. Without him the Army could not have deployed such a large number of units and their equipment,” said Michael Riedl, a traffic management specialist with the 21st TSC’s support operation directorate.
“With his many years of experience he has always advised us on how to handle critical situations with host nations and solving problems,” said Klavs Wheeler, a traffic management specialist with the 21st TSC’s support operation directorate.
After his 43 years of service for the U.S. Army in Germany, Mr. Schneider plans to take a long trip to Australia.
