A cornerstone of the Illinois Army National Guard's Schools Training Branch. A bedrock of readiness. The ultimate stabilizing force and a dedicated mentor within the operations, plans, and training directorate (G-3).

Those are just some of the words used to describe Nellie Sharp who retired Oct. 21 after 32 years of federal service in the Illinois Army National Guard, with 28 years spent in the ILARNG's operations, plans, and training directorate.

Throughout Sharp's 28 years in the G-3, she processed 56,000 school applications and training orders, a feat which has had generational impact on the Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and their families.

"If you went to school, or did anything on behalf of our nation, the Illinois Army National Guard or the U.S. Army, Nellie sent you there," said Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, during a retirement ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield. "Her DNA is all over your career."

Williams said Sharp had a way about her when correcting a Soldier and making the Soldier feel good about themselves.

"You know you were wrong, but the way she said it made you feel good about yourself," Williams said. "I remember a young Lieutenant Williams getting squared away by Nellie back in the day."

Williams said Sharp's impact on Soldiers and their families can't be summarized in any brief remarks.

"This is generational legacy," he said. "You have impacted generations of leaders. You have made us better trainers, officers, noncommissioned officers, and warrant officers. That is just the G-3. Think about all the officers, noncommissioned officers, warrant officers and civilian employees who came through the G-3. She helped train them. It starts with Nellie. The bedrock and cornerstone."

Williams said he couldn't say enough about everything Sharp has done for the Illinois Army National Guard.

"You have impacted the entire organization for 32 years," he said. "And the impact reaches past the Soldier to include families. You've impacted their career and that impacts their family.

"I know you have plans," he said. "But we owe you a debt of gratitude."

Col. Paul Metzdorff, Illinois Army National Guard Chief of Staff, said he remembers being a young lieutenant working in the G-3 as a project officer and being on the receiving end of Sharp's assistance.

"Even then I knew people relied on you in the office and outside of that office," he said.

Lt. Col. Nicholas Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training, said he hopes Sharp realizes the impact she had on Soldiers and their families.

"The first thing we do is generate readiness in our people," he said. "I hope you know you did a great job and really helped Soldiers and their families. You put people first. Your dedication is without reproach."

Sharp said she is looking forward to retirement.

"As I close this chapter of my career, thank you for the support, teamwork, and friendship over the years," she said. "It really made a difference in my life."

She offered advice to her younger colleagues.

"Keep pushing your boundaries," she said. "Keep innovating and you'll do great."

Sharp began her civil service career in the early days of automated training management, and masterfully navigated multiple generations of complex military systems.

Sharp developed her own custom cost-training and waitlist tools, transforming raw data into actionable decisions that ensured Illinois consistently led the nation in quota execution.

Sharp thanked the Illinois National Guard leadership.

"Thank you for your guidance and creating an environment where people can take risks, learn, and thrive," she said.

She thanked her family, including husband, Tim, and son Mark for their support.

"Thank you for your patience, the late nights and early mornings," she said. "I couldn't have done it without your support."

Sharp said she's excited for the retirement chapter of her life.

"As I step into retirement, I'm excited for what comes next," she said. "Unhurried mornings, new hobbies, and experiencing life at a slower pace. I will continue to cheer everyone on from the sidelines. Thank you for the memories, the lessons, and laughter. I will cherish them forever."