# Land and Maritime officer finishes Army career after 25 years  

/ Published June 5, 2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
Colleagues, friends and family members came together to honor the career of Army Col. Dale Farrand during a May 31 retirement ceremony at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.

                Army Col. Dale Farrand receives the Distinguished Service Medal from Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic during his May 31 retirement ceremony at the Defense Supply Center Columbus. Farrand, director of Land Customer Operations for DLA Land and Maritime, will retire in October after more than 25 years of military service.                            Land and Maritime officer finishes Army career after 25 years                            Army Col. Dale Farrand receives the Distinguished Service Medal from Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic during his May 31 retirement ceremony at the Defense Supply Center Columbus. Farrand, director of Land Customer Operations for DLA Land and Maritime, will retire in October after more than 25 years of military service.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Charles MorrisVIRIN: 180531-D-LC637-0002Farrand, director of Land Customer Operations for the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, is retiring after more than 25 years of military service.

A 1988 graduate of Billings West High School in Billings, Montana, Farrand was commissioned into the United States Army Ordnance Corps in 1993 after graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

His career includes three deployments to Iraq and one each to Kosovo and Kuwait. Along with duty assignments in Texas, Kansas and North Carolina, Farrand served nearly a decade in Germany. 

His most recent assignment before joining DLA Land and Maritime in June 2016 was chief of operations group Sierra at the Mission Command Training Program at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. While there he led a team which prepared Army sustainment units for combat deployments and in support of worldwide contingencies.

“He’s been the kind of officer and leader that you wished you could work with,” said DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic. “Highly imaginative, yet anchored by a solid sense of practicality – and intensely mission focused.”

Skubic presented Farrand with a memento from DLA Land and Maritime and his formal retirement orders from the Department of Defense. 

Before delivering his remarks, Farrand handed over the microphone to his wife. He said it’s a tradition they developed through previous promotion and command-level ceremonies. 

                Kristen Farrand, wife of retiring Army Col. Dale Farrand (middle), speaks at his retirement ceremony May 31 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus. She shared photos and stories of their time together during his 25-year career. Also pictured is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic.                            Land and Maritime officer finishes Army career after 25 years                            Kristen Farrand, wife of retiring Army Col. Dale Farrand (middle), speaks at his retirement ceremony May 31 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus. She shared photos and stories of their time together during his 25-year career. Also pictured is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. Michelle Skubic.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Charles MorrisVIRIN: 180531-D-LC637-0007Kristin Farrand said that as a military spouse for the entirety of her husband’s career, she had a unique appreciation for the significance of his retirement. The Farrands met while both were students at the University of Colorado.

“The spouse of the Soldier is rarely asked to speak at these events,” Kristen Farrand said. “Am I qualified to talk about Army stuff? Well, I believe I am – and here are some reasons why.”

She proceeded to chronicle her shared journey through her husband’s career, including his graduation from Officer Candidate School, his many deployments and through their multiple cross-country travels following duty reassignments. 

“I’m grateful to have been a witness, participant and partner to your last 25 years. I’m proud to say then and now and in the future – I was there too,” she said.

Col. Farrand thanked his wife and three daughters for their patience and commitment during his years of service and presented each with a personalized gift. 

“I want to thank the friends and family who’ve driven long distances today to be here with me,” he said. “Originally I didn’t even want much of a ceremony, but after speaking with my wife and colleagues, we decided to hold this event outside today. Thank you all for sharing it with me.” 

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Joseph Scarpill emceed the event and Army Maj. Dasha Somaratna provided the invocation. 

Farrand’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Russian and French Parachutist Badges, the Senior Parachutist Badge and the Combat Action Badge. 

He plans to enjoy his retirement with his family in Northern Virginia starting this summer.