Fort Huachuca, Arizona – When soldiers and their families seek fellowship and spiritual fervor, it’s natural to turn to the Religious Services Office (RSO), but over the past two years, these traits have been at the heart of pastors. , first of all people.

Reverend Colonel Shay Worthy, command chaplain at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, will resign June 30 to become the eighth deputy chaplain. I am planning to go to Korea by myself. US Army at Camp Humphreys.

“My middle daughter is about to graduate from college, and my youngest daughter is about to graduate from high school,” Worthy said. “It didn’t seem like good family planning to go abroad and have them graduate. So they’re staying in America and moving to North Fort Myers, Florida, to be by his wife’s parents.”

Worthy took over RSO in August 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic limited what the team could accomplish in its early days. As restrictions continued to be lifted, the team was able to achieve many of the goals Worthy identified.

The team completed 14 pages of single-space goals during Worthy’s tenure, which he said would not have been possible without all the hardworking members of the RSO.

“All these achievements are credit to the staff, not me,” Worthy said. “One of the biggest achievements for me has been the reopening of the chapel. Part of the reopening has been rededication, renaming and revitalization.”

The regeneration process included finding creative new ways to restore the defunct fountain in the courtyard. Staff Sergeant Vanessa Young led the fountain restoration project by removing old mulch in the fountain and adding river stones. The effort has turned it into a calm and peaceful place with olive trees, rose bushes and other plants and flowers.

“Pastor Worthy has supported us throughout the recovery process,” Young said. “He raked rocks with us, moved over 50 tons of rock, and was with us from 6:30 in the morning until late in the evening, and on weekends. They supported us and worked with us.”

What RSO staff miss most about Worthy is great career advancement opportunities and ongoing recognition.

Young said that throughout Worthy’s tenure as commander, he was always looking for ways to support his soldiers with prizes, coins and professional guidance.

Reverend Daniel Cho (Major) said, “Reverend Worthy was great at acknowledging achievements, mentoring and mentoring.” “He allows his soldiers to grow and gives them every opportunity to participate in training and professional development courses.”

Worthy did a lot for his soldiers, but he also did a lot to help them advance their careers.

“My job has been the same since the 1970s,” said Morgana Viddix, a religious services assistant. “He changed it to match what I was actually doing…even mentioning that I had to be a good typist on my typewriter. I mean, it was very old and bottom.”

The RSO team detailed how they will miss Worthy and how he has spearheaded and empowered them to advance their careers. All commented on how kind and caring he was and how he always put people first.

“I will miss his energy and positive attitude,” Young said. “Also, he will support me if I have any problems.”

Cho agreed, saying, “I will miss his energy and enthusiasm.”

“The kindness and sense of humor are the things I miss the most,” said Vidix. “He always made sure we were safe during COVID-19, gave me the freedom to work, and made everyone else successful.”

Worthy said she will miss Fort Huachuca and the close-knit communities throughout Cochise County. He explained that having a small post brought people together and allowed him to connect with people from all over the world.

“I heard the term Team Huachuka somewhere when I got here,” Worthy said. “So now I end every prayer with ‘God Bless Team Huachuka.’ I did the other day, and Colonel [Jarrod] Moorland said ‘It will be sad to say’ and I said ‘It will be sad to say’. ”

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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command, and supports over 48 tenants representing a diverse and multidisciplinary workforce. Our unique environment includes 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected microwave ovens, which are critical elements of our national defense mission.

Located in Cochise County in southeastern Arizona, about 25 miles north of the Mexican border, Fort Huachuca is a frontier military installation with a rich history. Founded in 1877, the fort was designated a national landmark in 1976.

We are the home of the Army.Learn more about https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.