Between them, couple has 110 years of federal service and still working at Fort Eisenhower

James "Jim" L. Wilson has worked at the newly renamed Fort Eisenhower for longer than many enlisted soldiers on post have lived. The 81-year-old veteran has worked at the installation for nearly 40 years and recently received a service award for 60 years of federal service.

While preparing for Wilson's award ceremony in September, Fort Eisenhower officials realized they didn't make certificates for a 60-year milestone because most retire before reaching the accomplishment. The team ended up improvising the award.

With no plans on retiring anytime soon, Wilson's next goal may require more creativity in another few years.

While the number of years of service Wilson has accumulated is rare in itself, his wife, Anne, 75, who works at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center, also has 50 years of federal service.

The couple has a combined 110 years of federal service, making them likely the longest-serving couple on the installation.

How it all started

Wilson enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1960 and became an electronic equipment and crypto repairer, just months after graduating from high school. He served for three years, traveling overseas to Japan.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Wilson worked as an electronic equipment technician at the Sacramento Army Depot and McClellan Air Force Base. He also obtained a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a secondary and elementary teaching credential from Sacramento State College.

Wilson was able to combine his love for sports with his occupation, accepting multiple sports-related positions in various states and countries. In May 1979, while working as a DA civilian sports specialist in Aschaffenberg, Germany, he received a masters degree in business administration from Boston University in their overseas education program.

It was while working as the chief of sports for the U.S. Army in Schwetzingen, Germany in 1980, that he met his wife, Anne, who worked at a nearby hospital for the Army.

"She happened to be at the Heidelberg Officer's Club and we hit it off," Wilson said. "After a few years of dating, I was going to get a new job and I figured, 'Hey, I better ask this woman to marry me now. I don't want her to get away.' ... We've been married now for over 40 years and I definitely married up."

The pair relocated to Fort Eisenhower in 1986 and they are both still working at the post. Wilson initially served as director of the Fort Gordon Recreation, now known as Points West Recreation Area.

Currently, he works on the post as a physical security specialist and directorate of emergency services – a position he has held for the last 24 years. His wife, Anne, heads the graduate medical education program.

"We're still plugging along," Wilson said. "Every job I've had, for the most part, I really enjoyed. That's why I've never thought about retiring. It's not the money that keeps me out here. I just enjoy doing my job and helping out in the mission."

Wilson has seen a number of different management styles and generals pass through during his time at Fort Eisenhower, but said something that always stays the same is the mentality of all being on the same team, trying to make things better.

When Wilson first started working at Fort Eisenhower, he said he remembers it being an open post.

"They would just wave people on, unless there was some reason to stop it," he said. "[Security] has changed a lot. Now every person has to be vetted [before coming on post] because of the NSA and Cyber Command. ... There are so many more people coming out here – that's the biggest thing I've noticed. We're just constantly growing."

Wilson has worked for each of the armed services, except for the U.S. Marines. Some of his awards include:

• Outstanding Community Recreation Division Chief for large installations within TRADOC for 1989;

• Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for support in the planning and execution of the Fort Gordon Force Protection Exercise “Dangerous Winds” in May 2001; and,

• Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for Wilson's performance as the Action Officer for the Automated Installation Entry infrastructure project from February 2008 to April 2010.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 81-year-old veteran reflects on his time at Fort Eisenhower