The United States Army

10/06/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/06/2022 01:56

Veteran looks back at nearly five decades of serving Soldiers and families

[Link] Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Sandra Simpson looks back on nearly five decades of service with the Department of Defense. (Photo Credit: Karl Weisel, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Family and MWR)VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - "There is no quit in her. … She has more energy at age 73 than most 20-year-olds do. … She's just amazing."

That's how Wiesbaden Family and MWR Marketing Director Maria Diaz describes Sandra Simpson, a Food and Beverage Attendant (and jill of all trades) at the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center.

"She has taken on all kinds of administrative duties, inventories, reservations and more. She multi-tasks. ICE comments come in regularly acknowledging her outstanding efforts," said Diaz, who formerly worked as the Installation Fitness Coordinator.

"As people have left, I've picked up more and more duties," said Simpson, who retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 after a 20-year career.

After leaving military service, Simpson spent another 22 years working for various agencies as a logistics management specialist (Appropriated Funds) before joining the MWR team (Non Appropriated Funds) in 2015.

"I worked as a housekeeper for a year and a half at the hotel before coming over to work at the Fitness Center," Simpson said.

"It's always a pleasure to serve Soldiers," said the military veteran. "Whatever I can do to give them something they want or need, I'll do it for them."

The Woodstock, Vermont, native said that while she liked "the rolling hills of Kitzingen" while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division, she has enjoyed living in Wiesbaden.

"I like the spa town aspect of Wiesbaden. I've met many nice people," she said.

"When I came into the Army I wanted to go into Military Intelligence," said Simpson, explaining that at the time that career field was unavailable so she opted for logistics. Over the years she learned to appreciate and excel in her chosen career field and worked in various capacities as a supply sergeant, property book officer and later as a Department of Defense civilian employee as a logistics management specialist.

"I was a Cold War warrior - and part of that was getting deploying units the equipment they needed," she said.

Among her memorable missions during her 49-year career was serving with the Defense Logistics Agency in Liberia - providing medical supplies to assist during an Ebola outbreak.

"We were there for three-to-four months - and Soldiers were there even longer. It's kind of freaky when you're going up against an invisible threat like a virus," she said about the experience, adding that helping during the crisis was fulfilling.

What makes her continue to work for MWR at age 73?

"Knowing that I can come in here and put a smile on someone's face when I come in here at 5 a.m., that make it worthwhile," Simpson said.