[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING COL. CHUCK HODGES' SERVICE TO JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD AND 
                           THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DENNY HECK

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. HECK of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor my good 
friend and Commander of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, U.S. Army Colonel 
Charles Hodges, Jr.
  COL Hodges will leave command next month after a tremendously 
successful three years at JBLM. He has played a critical role in the 
implementation of joint basing and has proved the success of the 
program to both the Department of Defense and the Army. In addition, 
his partnership with the surrounding community is unprecedented. He has 
strengthened an already robust relationship between the base and 
community by finding creative solutions to issues such as traffic 
congestion and noise abatement.
  COL Hodges has also been instrumental in ensuring our separating 
troops can pursue job training and career opportunities. He has worked 
to develop resources in the surrounding community and at the state and 
federal levels to provide transition assistance for all veterans.
  The Army will be losing a strong leader when COL Hodges retires later 
this year after a long and impressive career in the Army. He started 
his service in the summer of 1985 when he enlisted in the Florida 
National Guard as an 11B Infantryman. After being commissioned as an 
Infantry Officer and Distinguished Military Graduate from the 
University of Central Florida (UCF) he completed the Infantry Officer 
Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger School. He was then assigned 
to Germany and 3-5 Cavalry in the 3rd Armored Division. While there he 
participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After 
returning from Germany and completing the required military schooling, 
he commanded A Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry (ASSLT) in the 
Republic of Korea; and Company H, the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) 
in Arlington, Virginia.
  In 2001-2002, COL Hodges attended the Command and General Staff 
School at Fort Leavenworth and was then assigned to Fort Lewis, where 
he served as a Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer in 
1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry, (Tomahawks); and as the Operations 
Officer of 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. While there, he was part of 
the team that certified the Army's first Stryker Brigade Combat Team 
and deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  After promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he served as the Chair of the 
Military Science Department at Duke University. In 2007, he returned to 
Fort Lewis and took command of 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry, 3-2 
Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He commanded the battalion for three 
years, and he deployed it to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
After command, he was selected to serve as the Director of Training, 
G3, for I Corps. After attending the United States Army War College, 
COL Hodges took command of the newly created Joint Base Lewis-McChord 
(JBLM) in August of 2012.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize COL Hodges' successful and 
decorated career. I commend him for his service, leadership, and 
dedication. I also wish to recognize the sacrifices and contributions 
made by his family including his wife Kathy and their children Shelby 
and Sam.
  The State of Washington and our country owe COL Hodges a debt of 
gratitude for his work and dedication to our country. We thank him for 
his service to our country and congratulate him as he begins the next 
chapter of his career.

                          ____________________