Ray Quinn's 'Legacy of patriotism'
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Quinn and Maj. Gen. Burnett
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Ray Quinn (left) receives the Florida Distinguished Service Medal from Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, Feb. 29. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa.
Retiring Executive Services Director honored after
42 years of service to Florida National Guard
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (Feb. 29) – When Private Ray Quinn joined the Florida Army National Guard in 1965, the teenager from central Florida probably didn’t think his service to the military would span nearly half a century.
But more than 42 years after raising his right hand and taking the Oath of Enlistment, Sgt. Maj. (Retired) Ray Quinn is saying goodbye to his military career as he officially retires as the Director of Executive Services for the Florida Department of Military Affairs.
More than 150 friends, family, Soldiers and Airmen gathered at the historic St. Francis Barracks Friday afternoon to honor Quinn for his service and dedication to the men and women of the Florida National Guard.
“You have raised the bar high,” Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett said to Quinn during the ceremony. “…You leave a legacy of patriotism, servitude and leadership.”
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Quinn
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Ray Quinn addresses an audience of Soldiers during a Salute to Florida Heroes event in Miami Florida in 2006. File photo.
The general credited Quinn with helping sustain the Florida National Guard with professionalism and expertise throughout his career – especially during the Guard’s response to the ongoing Global War on Terrorism – and presented him with the Florida Distinguished Service Medal.
Quinn began his military career by enlisting in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, in Eustis, Fla., in June 1965. Immediately after enlistment he completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as an Infantry Soldier at Fort Jackson, S.C. After returning to Florida he progressed through Infantry assignments and rank, and became the first sergeant of the Combat Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, in 1977. In May 1985 he was assigned as Operations and Training Non-commissioned Officer for Headquarters, Florida Army National Guard, and in July 1989 he was selected as the Chief Administrative Non-commissioned Officer for the Support Personnel Office. He retired in 1995 as a sergeant major.
After his military retirement, Sgt. Maj. Quinn began his state career in the Directorate of Administration in December 1995. After subsequent reorganizations of the directorate he was elevated to the position of director in July 2002. The directorate underwent several changes after the onset of the Global War on Terrorism, and was ultimately renamed Directorate of Executive Services, where Quinn was instrumental in the development of deployment and welcome home ceremonies for all mobilized units.
In this position he refined the protocol procedures for the Joint Force Headquarters, and through almost daily contact with units of the Florida National Guard served to ensure success at promotion ceremonies, changes of command and visits by elected leadership and VIPs.
“I have an overwhelming sense of pride in today's Soldiers and Airmen,” Sgt. Maj. Quinn noted in a farewell email to the Florida National Guard. “We truly have a force that has been tested and found (to be) the best of the best.
“It has been my honor to serve in this position and work with each of you,” he added. “Of particular pride is our association during your deployments and redeployments. What a great feeling it was to welcome many of you home… Take pride in your service and continue to be the best.”
He is a resident graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 31). In addition to his full time assignments, he served as an instructor at the Florida National Guard Military Academy, instructing Basic, Advance and Senior Noncommissioned Officer Courses. He also served as a facilitator for the First Sergeants Course. Quinn serves on the Fort Stewart Retiree Council, the St. Johns County Advisory Council and the National Committee for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.
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