# Army Capt. Stanley Burdine retires after 27-year Army career

/ Published June 4, 2019
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime senior leaders and associates in Land Supplier Operations said farewell to one of their own May 31 when Army Capt. Stanley Burdine, a supervisory contract administrator for the Land Post Award, Land Supplier Operations Directorate at DLA Land and Maritime, retired after more than 27 years of dedicated service to our nation.

                DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. John Palmer presents Army Capt. Stanley Burdine, DLA Land and Maritime supervisory contract administrator with his retirement certificate during his retirement ceremony May 31 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.                            Army Capt. Stanley Burdine retirement                            DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. John Palmer presents Army Capt. Stanley Burdine, DLA Land and Maritime supervisory contract administrator with his retirement certificate during his retirement ceremony May 31 at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Michael RowlandVIRIN: 190531-D-RE244-038DLA Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Adm. John Palmer presided over the ceremony at the Defense Supply Center Columbus.

During Palmer’s opening remarks he took the audience on a walk down memory lane, painting a picture of what the world was like when Burdine enlisted in Oct. 3 1991. Palmer revisited the price of eggs, then President George Bush and the start of the first Gulf War.

“Stanley, your career was marked with tough tours and tremendous performance, that’s what we want in our superstar officers and you absolutely qualify as superstar status,” Palmer said. “What Stanley did in the Army he brought to DLA Land and Maritime. While you were here you kept us mindful that we work for our Warfighters in our daily endeavors.”

After wishing Burdine fair winds and following seas, Palmer presented Burdine with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a Presidential Certificate of Appreciation and a token of appreciation on behalf of DLA Land and Maritime senior leadership and Land Supplier Operations Directorate.

Before addressing the audience Burdine was presented with an Army Bayonet from DLA Land and Maritime Land Supply Director Army Col. Robert Murray as a farewell gift from his fellow Army officers. The bayonet is intended to serve as a reminder of the countless days Burdine spent in field combat training and the years he spent deployed defending a grateful nation.

With his wife Nicole and children Ashley, Jayden and Caylee watching attentively along with family, fellow service members and DLA Land and Maritime coworkers, Burdine fought back tears as he began to recount the past 27 years of his career.

                Army Capt. Stanley Burdine, DLA Land and Maritime supervisory contract administrator addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony May 31 after more than 27 years of dedicated service.                            Army Capt. Stanley Burdine retirement                            Army Capt. Stanley Burdine, DLA Land and Maritime supervisory contract administrator addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony May 31 after more than 27 years of dedicated service.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Michael RowlandVIRIN: 190531-D-RE244-066Burdine said he enlisted in the Army with the intention of serving for two years.

“But If I had only served two years then I would’ve missed out on the 2004 deployment as a medic and wouldn’t have been able to give care to soldiers and airmen who needed it at that time,” Burdine said. He also cherished being able to influence future Army leaders during his tour as a drill sergeant and supporting the Haitian earthquake relief efforts which he said was the most humbling experience of his career.

Burdine believed had it not been for his choice to remain in the Army, he wouldn’t have become the person he is today, and credits his time in service for allowing him to understand the meaning of service, develop life-long friendships and most importantly become a husband, father and role model to those around him.

“When I look back on my career and everything that I’ve missed, and there’s been a lot, I can’t imagine a better life, a life of service, my involvement in something bigger than myself,” Burdine said. “I come from a military family but the military life wasn’t on my radar. After enlisting I made it a career. Joining the Army was the single best decision I ever made.”