Longest serving SM in uniform?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:38:43 -0500

It is rumored at the time of his retirement, retired Major General Rees, Adjutant General of the Oregon Guard had served almost 48 years of active duty. From 1966 to early 2014. I was shocked and amazed to serve under such a man. Does anyone know who the next longest serving SM is behind General Rees? He had a long and very distinguished career. If you have a minute, sit and read his Bio.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 2:51 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:51:57 -0500

MAJOR GENERAL RAYMOND F. REES
The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard
Major General Raymond F. Rees assumed duties as The Adjutant
General for Oregon on July 1, 2005. He is responsible for
providing the State of Oregon and the United States with a ready
force of citizen soldiers and airmen, equipped and trained to
respond to any contingency, natural or manmade. He directs,
manages, and supervises the administration, discipline,
organization, training and mobilization of the Oregon National
Guard, the Oregon State Defense Force, the Joint Force
Headquarters and the Office of Oregon Emergency Management.
He is also assigned as the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisor.
He develops and coordinates all policies, plans and programs of
the Oregon National Guard in concert with the Governor and
legislature of the State.
1
He began his military career in the United States Army as a West
Point cadet in July 1962. Prior to his current assignment, Major
General Rees had numerous active duty and Army National
Guard assignments to include: service in the Republic of Vietnam
as a cavalry troop commander; commander of the 116th Armored
Calvary Regiment; nearly nine years as the Adjutant General of
Oregon; Director of the Army National Guard, National Guard
Bureau; over five years service as Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau; 14 months as Acting Chief, National
Guard Bureau; Chief of Staff (dual-hatted), Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). NORAD is a binational, Canada and
United States command.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 2:57 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:57:38 -0500

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 5:57 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 05:57:50 -0500

Admiral Hyman G. Rickover served 63 years. Just saying......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2014 10:37 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 10:37:09 -0500

Back in 1999, I went to a retirement ceremony for a CW5 who was a Korean War Veteran. We were all stunned that anyone could be in that long. Assuming he got in at the end of the war, he would rival MG Rees.
I can't remember his name for the life of me.
I do remember how scarce Vietnam Veterans were becoming by then (I think my unit had two). Heck, even Gulf War Veterans were fairly uncommon after all the RIFs a few years earlier.

In any event, such a lengthy and distinguished period of service is amazing and worth honoring.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 6 at 2014 2:37 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:37:34 -0500

That is one heck of a bio and that is a long time to serve. What does one do after 48 Years of military service?

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 11:25 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 11:25:57 -0400

Navy Officer ADM Rickover 63 Years
Navy Enlisted. BMC George Sanderson 44 Years

Response by PO2 Ann Kipp made Jun 5 at 2022 6:16 PM

PO2 Ann Kipp — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 18:16:02 -0400

When she retired as a rear admiral at age 79, Grace Hopper was the oldest serving officer in the U.S. Armed Forces.