Missouri Guardsman retires after 22 years of service

Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bolles, a Reed Point, Mont. native and Mexico, Mo. resident, retires after 22 years of military service. Bolles' wife Robyn and children Justin, Kilah, and Gavin are joined by members of the Missouri National Guard at his retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City, Mo. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu, Missouri National Guard).

By Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - After 22 years of service, a Missouri Army National Guardsman was recognized for his time and duty during a retirement ceremony Friday at the Ike Skelton Training Site.

Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bolles, a Reed Point, Mont. native and Mexico, Mo. resident, began his military career in July, 1989.

"The last 22 years have really blown by, seems like there is no way I have been in the military for that long," Bolles said. "I know there will be a lot of people and things that I will miss. During my military career I hope that I have helped more than I have hindered, inspired more than I have discouraged, and the people's lives or places I have served are a little better in some way because of it."

Bolles enlisted in the Navy in July, 1989. He served on the USS Pennsylvania as the ship's Yeoman performing a variety of administrative duties as well as a Sonar Operator and Ships driver for 7 strategic deterrent patrols.

In January of 1995, Bolles transferred to the Naval Nuclear Training Command for the Base Operations Support Division and was assigned to the Legal Department. He served nine years of active naval service, achieving the rank of petty officer second class.

Bolles was discharged from the Navy on Feb. 2, 1998 and joined the Naval Reserves in September 1998. He severed with Amphibious Group 1 located in St. Louis for one year.

In September, 1999 Bolles transferred to the 1st of the 128th Field Artillery and was hired into the Active Guard and Reserves program in December, 1999. In January, 2006 Bolles transferred to his most recent job assignment, a training noncommissioned officer. He directly supported nine thousand Soldiers across five senior commands and prepared the state annual training budget.

"What a great accomplishment," said Col. David Boyle, the deputy training officer. "A day of retirement is a day to be proud. Every day that you look back across your career, be proud of every day that you served in the armed services."

Bolles will begin working at Ark Energy LLC in Houston as a travel coordinator logistics manager/office manager later this month.

Bolles was supported throughout his military career by his wife Robyn and children Justin, Kilah, and Gavin.

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Col. David Boyle, deputy training officer, pins the meritorious service medal on Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bolles during his retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City, Mo. Bolles served 22 years in the United States military. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu, Missouri National Guard).

State Command Sgt. Maj. James Schulte congratulates Sgt. 1st Class Bill Bolles at his retirement ceremony at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City, Mo. Bolles served 22 years in the United States military. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sarah E. Lupescu, Missouri National Guard).