Retirement ceremony held for White Sands Missile Range Test Center Commander
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (August 8, 2024) – On August 7, a retirement ceremony was held at the Cox Range Control building on White Sands Missile Range for WSMR Test Center Commander Col. Shawn Smart. WSMR leadership, Joint Service Military, civilians and off post partners gathered for the event to honor the work and legacy Smart leaves behind as she enters retirement to be closer to her family in Georgia.
“The retirement ceremony, in its many forms, is a time-honored custom that reaches across both military and civilian service members. In days past, when Soldiers retired, their entire regiment turned out to honor them with a farewell review. In keeping with that custom and tradition we here at White Sands Missile Range gather together to recognize WSMR Test Center Commander Col. Smart, who served a total of 26 years in active federal service in defense of this great nation,” said Acting Deputy Director Survivability, Vulnerability and Assessment Directorate Maj. Thomas E. Peabody.
Directors, peers, family, and friends spoke about the impact Smart had on their lives and career through the work they accomplished together.
“Colonel Smart has touched the hearts of hundreds of service members and civilians throughout their time in uniform; leading, protecting, motivating, training, advising, assisting, coaching, mentoring, advocating, listening, empathizing and respecting. Just look at this large gathering here today,” said WSMR Commander Brig. Gen. George C. Turner. “Your truth is marching on; you are marching on. Congratulations on a job well done.”
“I want to thank all of you for your unwavering support. This journey would not have been as fun without my friends, you have been a blessing. Mr. Stone and Mr. Liddiard, thank you for instilling a sense of purpose in our work; you are the voice that speaks on behalf of what we do every day. Mr. Stone, thank you for your steady leadership, your strategic mission, and your support of our mission. When I think of technical, there is no greater expert than the one that I found in my Technical Director, Tristan Gilbert. His mission will continue to be a guiding light to this organization. He is the right person for this position, and he will lead you to success. I am grateful to have been able to work with you. To the directors, thank you. You have become well positioned to be the link between Army researchers, the warfighters requirements, and industry innovation. I continue to be amazed by team WSTC’s intellect and determination to get the job done; we really are a team. To my family, I cannot wait to reunite with you. Your understanding, encouragement and support have been the pillars of my strength. While my time here as an active member of this team is coming to an end, my commitment to our shared objectives here on WSMR will endure. I wish you all continued success, fulfillment and enjoyment in your profession as I have. Truth in testing. Be all you can be,” said Smart.
Smart enlisted into the United States Army Reserves assigned as a Combat Medic (91B) in 1993. She commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting from Albany State University. Smart has a Master of Business Administration in business management with a concentration in advanced management from Brenau University, a Master of Science in acquisition and contract management from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Masters in international studies from the U.S. Air Force Senior Service College at Maxwell Air Force Base. She served as WSTC’s first female commander and was responsible for the Department of the Defense's largest land-based test range facility. WSTC provides test, analysis, evaluation, and research support services for the nation's most critical defense programs.