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With more 30 years of service, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ronald Kissee, 7th Civil Support Command supply technician, conducted his last official day of duty living up to his commitment to the U.S. Army and the United States.
Chief Warrant Officer Kissee first enlisted in 1967 at the age of 17. Since then, he has seen many changes occur in the military, he said.
“Five uniform changes, changes in weapons, Women’s Army Corps and last, but still holding strong, the all volunteer Army,” Chief Warrant Officer Kissee said.
During his distinguished career, Chief Warrant Officer Kissee survived two combat tours in Vietnam – the first as a demolitions specialist and the second as a door gunner.
He participated in the first Return of Forces to Germany exercise held in Grafenwöhr in 1969, which was intended to ensure NATO had the
ability to quickly deploy forces to Germany in the event of a conflict with the Soviet Union.
Later, at the age of 40, he graduated from the Warrant Officer Basic and Certification Course.
“A career in the military is rewarding and gives you purpose,” Chief Warrant Officer Kissee said. “I was first discharged from the Army in 1970. While I went on with my life, something was nagging at me, and it wasn’t until 1982 I figured out what it was. I needed an occupation that relied on people around me living the Army values – on or off duty. Soldiers can be relied upon.”
Those who worked with Chief Warrant Officer Kissee were impressed with the amount of knowledge he had and spoke very highly of him.
“He is so amazingly knowledgeable about everything,” said Lt. Col. Kelly L. Donham, deputy chief of staff, G-4. “He knew what needed to be done to accomplish the mission. He never slacked off, and (he) worked hard even to his last day.”
Even Chief Warrant Officer Kissee’s NCOs were impressed with his knowledge and his desire to help others.
“He always backed up anything he told you. That way, you felt comfortable,” said Master Sgt. Wade Orr, operations NCOIC, G-4. “He was a walking logistical library.”
Sergeant Orr also said that Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kissee made good chili.
Chief Warrant Officer Kissee said he hopes he left the Soldiers of the 7th CSC knowing they could always talk to him about anything.
Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Makar, who worked with Chief Warrant Officer Kissee for more than two years, said he was his confidant and mentor.
“I’m so proud and honored to serve under him and call him my chief and now friend,” Sergeant Makar said. “I will never forget him. I wish him good fortune in his retirement years and I sincerely hope I will see him again.”
Although Chief Warrant Officer Kissee would like to see the end state of the 7th CSC’s transformation, he is heading to San Antonio to settle down.
“I have two sons and four grandchildren living in the area, and the grandkids have plans for us,” he said.
Chief Warrant Officer Kissee and his wife, Jane, will both continue working in the civil service.
