Ms. Gloria Sassman, the deputy human resources officer for the Texas Military Forces, greets a member of the Texas Air National Guard following Sassman's retirement ceremony on Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, Dec. 20, 2012. Sassman served more than 44 years in the human resources field for the Texas Military Forces.

 Story by Staff Sgt. Phil Fountain

 CAMP MABRY, Texas - Current and former members of the Texas Military Forces honored the four decades of service of  the organization's deputy human resources officer, during a recognition ceremony on Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, Dec.  20, 2012.

 Gloria M. Sassman, a non-dual status civilian employee, began her civil service career with the National Guard in 1968,  during the federal administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson and the state tenure of Texas Gov. John B. Connally.  She was initially assigned to the Texas Air National Guard headquarters and then worked her way through various  assignments, culminating in her position at the state Joint Force Headquarters' human resources office, all at Camp Mabry, where she officially retired from on Jan. 1, 2013.

 "There is not a more helpful, more knowledgeable person, in personnel and technician programs, than Gloria," said  Army Col. Patrick M. Hamilton, The Adjutant General's chief of staff. "She has been one of those key staff people in this  agency that is a 'go-to person,' that everybody can count on to get a right answer and will work tirelessly to help people  and help this agency be better."

 Sassman was recently the focus of a National Guard Bureau "Technician Spotlight," which reported that she "served in  all but one of the Human Resources specialties" during her career. The story further stated, "Gloria's expert advice  always ensured the proper blend of NGB policy and state-level program execution and served to strengthen partnerships  between the State HRO and NGB."

During the ceremony, Sassman received the Superior Civilian Service Award and the Certificate of Retirement from The Adjutant General of Texas, Air Force Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols. Additionally, the TAG presented Sassman with the state's "Yellow Rose of Texas" award, on behalf of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Sassman's previous honors include the National Guard Bureau's Minuteman Award, which she was presented in 2010. The award is approved by the chief of the National Guard Bureau and is given to outstanding personnel who have had a nationwide impact on the oldest component of the armed forces of the United States.

During her career, the Texas Military Forces has been involved with major personnel actions, base realignments and force structure adjustments, Nichols said. Additionally, Sassman was instrumental in policy development, formulation and implementation at the highest levels of National Guard decision-making in Austin and Washington.

Nichols said Gloria would always try to figure out, "What's the best thing that we can do for this person?"

"She was always worried about not impacting people," Nichols said. "Even though she's got it in black and white, Gloria knows what gray looks like, she does, and she would make things gray to benefit the person. She's left us a legacy of how we take care of our people, and to do it the right way."

Sassman is expected to keep busy in retirement. She said that she is looking forward to traveling, spending time with her daughter in California, and remaining actively involved with her church.

"It's been a wonderful, wonderful career," Sassman said. "I've absolutely enjoyed every minute of it. .... My heart will be here at Camp Mabry, no matter where I am."