Thompson bids farewell to military service

“What better day to celebrate this momentous occasion than on the Fourth of July,” was the opening remark from Major Mark Urbank at Chief Warrant Officer 3 Orrin Thompson’s retirement ceremony in Clark Fork on Tuesday.

A Clark Fork native, Thompson joined the U.S. Army in 2002, a year before he graduated, and shipped out for basic training just four days after he walked out the front doors of Clark Fork High School for the last time.

Since then, Thompson has served in the Army for over 20 years and was deployed twice before deciding it was time to retire and spend more time with his sons, Jared and Jordan.

“More than half of my life and my entire adult life has been part of the military,” Thompson said. “It’s such a crazy thought as I sit here and reflect on everything that’s happened over that time. I’ve been in two wars; I lost friends in both. I’ve loved, fought, bled and cried over the years. I’ve been that young guy talking crap to the old, crusty soldiers until I became one myself.”

When Thompson began his military career, he became a military police officer and was first stationed in Hawaii. He dealt with both ends of the spectrum during that time, from working bicycle patrol to undercover narcotics investigations.

After multiple years of working as military police, he decided to re-enlist, this time becoming an all-source intelligence analyst. With that career path, Thompson was stationed in Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia. He also deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In that time, Thompson became a senior drill sergeant, won the Drill Sergeant of the Year competition and was selected to become a warrant officer. Warrant officers are some of the most highly-specialized experts and trainers in their field.“The road is not an easy one traveled, but I am grateful to see the end,” he said.

While there were many nights spent away from family — including the past two years of his career, where Thompson was stationed almost 150 miles away from his wife, who also served — Thompson said his time in the Army taught him countless things about both himself and the world around him.

“My understanding of cultures in the world has grown tremendously and given me great appreciation for the things that I took for granted growing up here in Clark Fork,” he said.

Thompson said there were multiple times he could have left the Army to pursue other careers, but it was his two sons who always motivated him to keep going. Building a better future for them was one of his biggest goals as he worked his way up the ranks.

“I did it for you boys,” Thompson told his sons as he unsuccessfully attempted to hold back tears. “You’re the reason I stayed in. I’m sorry I was gone. I’m done. I promise I’ll be around more.”

As happy as he is to be done with this chapter of his life, Thompson said he will forever be grateful for the experiences had, friendships gained and thousands of soldiers he was able to train in his 21 years of service.

“I truly hope I left the Army better than I found it,” he said.