ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Illinois – December 20 will go down as a very memorable day for Lynda Armer, executive director of Army Contracting Command-Rock Island. At 10 a.m. Army Contracting Command Commanding General Brig. Gen. Christine Beeler hosted Col. Armer’s Retirement Ceremony and at 11 a.m., she led Ms. Armer’s Senior Executive Service (SES) Appointment Ceremony.
Over 100 people attended the ceremonies, held in Heritage Hall and the Lock and Dam Lounge on Rock Island Arsenal.
Armer, who was named ACC-RI Executive Director effective Nov. 7, is no stranger to ACC-RI, having served as the center’s Military Deputy to the Executive Director since July 2019. She was commissioned in 1993 as an Engineer Officer after graduating from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and has held a wide variety of operational and acquisition positions during her career.
After seven years of engineering duties, Armer requested accession into the acquisition corps.
“Just like when I headed off to West Point, I wasn’t completely sure what I had gotten myself into and certainly didn’t do my market research ahead of time,” said Armer. “Contracting was a different world altogether. The hardest part was not the work, rather it was figuring out where I fit into a primarily civilian population after being strictly surrounded by Soldiers up to this point. Needless to say, I figured it out and found contracting to be similar to engineering: It was all about solving problems.”
For the next 22 years, Armer served in a variety of acquisition positions all over the world.
During Beeler’s remarks in the retirement ceremony, she welcomed the leaders from Army Sustainment Command, Joint Munitions Command, Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center-Rock Island, and the Rock Island Arsenal Garrison, as well as Armer’s family. She also discussed the achievements Armer has accumulated over the length of her career.
“Lynda, your efforts have been phenomenal,” said Beeler. “Your reach and your leadership of Soldiers and civilians as a member of the acquisition community, your reputation precedes you: Excellence, remarkable leadership, and really a great person to work for. Frankly, I am extremely honored to be here to help celebrate not only your military career, but your future civilian career.”
After her remarks, Beeler presented Armer with her certificate of retirement, certificate of appreciation from President Biden, a letter from the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. McConville, a One-Star note from Beeler, the Legion of Merit Medal, her retirement pin, and the U.S. Flag.
During Armer’s retirement ceremony remarks, she reminisced on the lessons she has learned since her time at West Point, serving in an engineer role and her extensive Army acquisition experience in units all over the world.
“That brings us to Army Contracting Command-Rock Island, where my career has culminated,” said Armer. “Previously I had supported a unit or a theater at a time, and suddenly I was involved in support across the world. This place, the Rock Island Arsenal, which many Soldiers have never heard of, is the backbone of support for the Army, always ready, leaning forward to provide the necessary supplies and services to our military. I am proud to say I have served here and for the best organization in my 30-year career.”
Following the retirement ceremony, Beeler also presided over Armer’s SES Appointment Ceremony, stressing the importance of Armer’s new role.
“The pin you are about to receive represents a keystone,” said Beeler. “The topmost stone of an arch. The critical stone that holds all the other stones in place. Being that keystone in that arch that supports the rest of the organization is, I would say, is as important, if not more important, than being the colonel.”
After Beeler’s SES ceremony remarks, she administered Armer’s Oath of Office, presented her with her SES pin, and oversaw the unfurling of Armer’ SES flag.
Armer said she is thrilled to be staying at the Rock Island Arsenal.
“We have a team made up of the most dedicated professionals that I have met in my career,” said Armer. “The other subordinate commands to Army Materiel Command on this installation – Army Sustainment Command, Joint Munitions Command, Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center and the Garrison – have been wonderful partners to work with and support. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to end one career and start another.”
Armer thanked Mr. Mark Mower, the current ACC-RI Civilian Deputy to the Executive Director, for his 8-month service as ACC-RI’s Acting Executive Director, saying he is the glue that keeps this place together. She also expressed gratitude to the center’s four directors and their specific abilities in helping lead the organization.
Throughout both her retirement and appointment ceremonies, Armer highlighted the importance of her family and the sacrifices they made her during her career. She thanked her parents, Robert and Carol Armer, for personally taking care of her two children, while she was deployed on several occasions.
The care her parents provided was instrumental in helping her kids achieve dreams of their own: Armer’s daughter, Mara Royse, is a now a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant (and also sang the National Anthem during Armer’s retirement ceremony); and her son, Liam Royse, is pursuing a degree in computer science at the University of Kansas.
In looking toward the future at ACC-RI, Armer referred to a billboard she has recently seen several times that states: “The right team achieves the unbelievable.”
“The Rock Island Arsenal community, we are the right team,” said Armer. “Army Materiel Command subordinate commands, we are the right team. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island professionals, we are the right team. Together, we will achieve the unbelievable.”
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