After 39 years of service to the nation, Vice Admiral Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, Jr., and his wife, Meg, were honored in a retirement ceremony hosted by General David M. Rodriguez, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, on June 28 on Kelley Barracks. Leidig served as the Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations since August 2010. Nearly 200 guests gathered to farewell VADM and Mrs. Leidig, who was also honored for her service to the Stuttgart military community for raising and awarding tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for deserving students of military families. VADM Leidig began his career as a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978 and will come full circle as he transitions back to the Academy in Annapolis to teach the future leaders of the U.S. Navy.