In December 2009, the president of the Rossmoor Homeowners Association will have completed 30 years of civil service both as a military technician and Department of the Army civilian working for the Army Reserve. Milton Houghton began his service as a school technician with the 6222nd U.S. Army Reserve Forces School, where he was recognized with the first Commander’s Award for Civilian Service presented within the 63rd ARCOM.
In 1991, Houghton was promoted to the manpower analyst at the 63rd ARCOM.
In that capacity, he served as the 63rd lead for the conversion from ARCOM to the Regional Support Command. During the conversion process Houghton was promoted to supervisory management analyst for the 63rd RSC deputy chief of staff for force development.
During his tenure with the 63rd RSC/RRC, Houghton was honored with a second Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Houghton was recently recognized as a leader in Army Reserve Force Programs and was presented with the U.S. Army Reserve Command’s “Dragon Slayer” award. During BRAC 2005, Houghton served as the 63rd RRC lead agent, coordinating the submission of the 63rd RRC’s regional projects worth almost $200 million in new construction to the 63rd.
Houghton has been active in the development of his staff and supportive of their efforts for self-improvement. For his efforts, Houghton had been recognized twice with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve award as a “Patriotic Employer.” Through his encouragement, former staff members are now serving on Department of the Army Staff and at other general officer commands.
As a member of the 63rd RRC staff, Houghton has sought out opportunities to represent the command and thus has become a regular member of the Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos Military Affairs and Legislative Affairs Committees. These committees provide Houghton an opportunity to interface with local community leaders and present them with a positive image of the U.S. Army.
As a Vietnam veteran, Houghton is active in veteran’s affairs. He is a life member of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Reserve Officers Association where in 2006-2007 he served as the national vice president for Army Affairs. Houghton is also a AUSA life member currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter as Public Relations Committee Chair. Houghton also currently chairs the U.S. delegation Civil-Military Cooperation Committee to the NATO Reserve Officers Association.
Houghton is an active member of his local community serving as president of the board of directors for the Rossmoor Homeowners Association.
In this capacity Houghton serves as the liaison to local, county, state and federal agencies providing a link to the local community.
Houghton is currently in his third year of a doctoral degree program for management in organizational leadership at the University of Phoenix.
Laura Herzog is a community relations specialist to the commander of the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
