Courtesy Photo | Chaplain School Chief, Education Services Division Cindy Munn, will soon retire after...... read more read more
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By Mel Slater
Chaplain Center and School
The song says, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” For Army educator Cindy Munn, there are a lot of yesterdays in 35 years. She will soon retire and go on to other pursuits.
“My near-term goal is not to wake up at five fifteen anymore,” said Munn.
Recently, she sat down with her co-workers in the Training Directorate at the Chaplain School on Fort Jackson for an “interview” for this article.
Cynthia Munn was born in Ware, Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, English, from Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, Massachusetts and post graduate work in Education at Fitchburg State College.
“I think each place that I’ve been has been unique and different in their own way,” Munn said . “There’s cultural differences, just uniqueness’s. We were stationed in Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, Berlin, Germany and Massachusetts, and now South Carolina.”
Munn began her career in education teaching at the Berlin Brigade Education Center, Berlin, Germany, in 1978. She taught high school English in Groton, Massachusetts from 1980 through 1984. She transferred to the Fort Devens Education Center, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in 1984 where she taught the Basic Skills Education Program. She began her civil service career in 1986 as an Education Specialist at the U.S. Army Military Intelligence School, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, where she was assigned to the Training Directorate New Systems Training Office and the Staff and Faculty Development Division.
“Working with some of the best civilians, developing and teaching the instructor course at Fort Monmouth and here at USACHCS. And also teaching Army writing to CHBOLC C4, AIT and SLC/ALC, I really loved that part,” Munn said.
She came to the Chaplain School in December 1991 when it was located at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. She has held the positions of Education Analyst: Communicative Skills Officer; Chief, Staff and Faculty Development Division; Chief, Training Development Division and the Acting Deputy Training Directorate. She currently serves as the Chief, Education Services Division.
“Cindy Munn embodies hard work and optimism. Her efforts have positively impacted every Army Chaplain and Religious Affairs Specialist for the last 35 years. She will be greatly missed at Chaplain School but never forgotten,” said Chaplain School Training Directorate Deputy, Perry Hoskins.
She has received numerous awards and recognition for her service over the years. She was the Chaplain Center and School 1999 Federal Employee of the Year. Other awards include the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Sustained Superior Performance Awards; Certificates of Commendation and Certificates of Achievement.
“I’ve been around the military since 1974, so 40 some odd years,” Munn said. “Personally, professional, it is rewarding just knowing I may have had an impact somehow on the staff or students I have taught, or helped somebody on the way.”
Munn’s hobbies include quilting, knitting, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Part of her time was spent contributing quilts to the Quilts of Valor Program. So far, she has made between 12 to 15 quilts for veterans.
“When I heard about the Quilts for Valor Organization, I knew it was going to be a really good fit for me,’” Munn said. “My first quilt of valor I gave to my son when he returned from his second deployment.”
She also used her talent for quilting to say thank you to her USACHCS teammates.
“As I wind down my professional career as an educator for 46 years, with the last 35 for the Army, I thought of my team and what they have meant to me,” Munn said. “How do I thank them for what they have contributed to both me and our mission of ensuring the best possible training and education for our Soldiers? As a quilter I couldn’t think of a better way to thank each of you to let you know how much you mean to me.”
Her team, colleagues and friends hold their time with Munn in very high regard.
“Ms. Munn contributed so much to the Chaplain School. Her knowledge and years of experience inspired our section to be our best in everything we do. I've been lucky to have her as a boss, a mentor, and a friend,” said Phyllis White, DL instructional systems specialist.
Among her future pursuits, she says she’ll have more time for her children and grandchildren.
“Looking forward to the next chapter,” Munn said.
A Farewell Luncheon for Ms. Munn is scheduled at the Fort Jackson NCO Club in the Excalibur Room at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 16.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2021 14:37 |
| Story ID: | 409142 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 449 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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