PEO EIS Military Deputy, Col. Darrell Bennis, Retires

COL Darrell Bennis, Military Deputy for PEO EIS, retired from Active Duty in the U.S. Army Reserve July 10 in a ceremony held at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, after 27 years of service.

More than 30 close colleagues and friends gathered with Bennis’ family at the Fort Belvoir Officer’s Club to honor the colonel, who has been the military deputy for PEO EIS since July 2013.

In this role, Bennis led the important mission of liaison between the PEO’s military and civilian personnel, providing guidance for all military-specific policies and procedures, and connecting with our Soldiers to ensure their success at the next level.

“In all of his roles, Darrell has demonstrated tenacity and skill in getting the right equipment, services, and training for our Soldiers, and a lifetime commitment to the mission,” said Mr. Doug Wiltsie, PEO EIS. “He dedicated himself to the mission of preparing our next generation of leaders to meet evolving challenges head on and implement creative solutions to really hard problems.”

Bennis’ was a former assistant product manager for Transportation Information Systems, now part of the Product Director Automated Movement and Identification Solutions, and held leadership positions at PEO Combat Service, Combat Service Support (PEO CS CSS) and the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, or(TACOM LCMC, and was a Reserve Component proponency officer at the Army Acquisition Support Center before he attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

“From Rifle Platoon Leader and XO to Battalion Motor Officer, S4, and a company commander for an Infantry Company, it’s hard to find an assignment that Darrell hasn’t held,” said Wiltsie, demonstrating the diversity of experience that Bennis gained in his years of service, “and he has excelled in every one.”

COL Bennis retires as a decorated Army officer with numerous commendations and awards, including five Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, and three Army Achievement Medals, as well as certification as a Level III Program Management and Information Technology Army Acquisition Officer. During the ceremony, he was presented with the Legion of Merit award, a PEO star note with the framed Lone Soldier portrait, letters from Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and a U.S. flag flown over the Pentagon June 14 in honor of his service.

“COL Bennis’ wide breadth of previous experience prepared him to be an outstanding MILDEP here at EIS, and he will be missed,” concluded Wiltsie.

Thank you for your service, COL Bennis, and enjoy your retirement!