RICHMOND, VA –
The famed Army General George S. Patton once said, “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”
This quote is how Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Ogden Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Carmichael best described his promotion to the rank of Colonel during a ceremony held at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex on Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 30.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance for the ceremony was restricted to Carmichael’s immediate family, ceremony staff and key personnel. All others attended the event virtually via video-teleconferencing and livestream.
DLA Aviation Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. David Sanford officiated over the ceremony virtually from D.C., where he is temporarily serving as the Deputy Director of the COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Headquarters.
“Chris, congratulations, you’ve earned this and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say, we are proud of you,” Sanford said.
Ogden Air Logistics Complex Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. C. McCauley von Hoffman was the honored guest.
Carmichael’s wife Ally, daughter Maeve and sons Skip and Raines, as well as his brother Robert were also in attendance. His mother Beverly and brother Tim watched the ceremony virtually.
These family members are who Carmichael described as the cornerstones to his success as a military leader.
“I’m so grateful you are on this journey with me, I can’t thank you enough, I have learned so much more from you than you have from me, from your resiliency, from your compassion,” Carmichael said. “I love you with all my heart. I can’t wait to share the next chapter in our lives together.”
He also thanked the leaders who influenced him along his 28-year career, which began as an Army Private.
“I’m humbled to be in front of you today. Only about 1% of the active duty Air Force are Colonels. I’m not entirely sure I deserve this promotion, but I will work my hardest to honor it,” Carmichael said.
Carmichael took over as commander of DLA Aviation at Ogden in June 2020. Before that, he served as the deputy commander for the 86th Logistics Readiness Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.