College student Linda Dawson sat in class stunned - the "new computer" that spanned the entire classroom wall was the same one her professor just declared would one-day be smaller and in homes and offices worldwide. "Not in my lifetime," she mumbled. 

Decades later, as the Operations Group (OG) secretary for Col. Paul Eberhart, the 62nd OG Commander, she's not only PC literate but is Facebook savvy and knows her way around technology.

"Such is the career that I've led over the last 30-years," she said. "And I loved working for the military. It has been a part of my life from early on, too. I've been at this desk for 19-years, but I started out as a Navy summer aid (on Whidbey Island) before I married a Marine. My daughters grew up here on JBLM."

Dawson, who will retire January 3, began working as a civilian for McChord Field after her divorce. Her oldest daughter served 4-years in the Navy and her son-in-law was a Navy medical Corpsman who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. She plans to move closer to them and her soon-to-be newest (and fifth) grandchild after retirement.

"It makes me so proud and grateful to be a part of what the military does," Dawson said. "First, as a military spouse who "grew up" with other young wives - we had each other through separations and moving around. Then, as a civilian employee, the most amazing thing has been knowing that whatever the emergency - such as 9/11 - that I can sit back and know that the leadership I work for knows what they're doing and are in control. It's because of what our military does that I've had the freedom to live as I have."

Dawson has worked for 14 commanders over the years. She has met a couple captains who returned to JBLM as colonels and many more whom she watched "risk up the ranks," including Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, whom she met as a colonel.

"Unlike my "co-workers," I'm a paper-pusher," she said. "I've worked with folks who have done cool things that I only find out about when I attend their award ceremonies. When I hear of their worldwide accomplishments, it's amazing. These aren't just "co-workers," they're executives that are pilots that do real-world stuff. I may manage 16 phone lines, report to five bosses, and manage 12 calendars, but these commanders are a unique breed of individuals."

Still, Dawson admitted her workload is heavy and she's "endlessly busy." Once when a commander asked for a list of her job duties and she handed him a 12-paged, single-space document, he was surprised at how much she managed daily.

"My job has always been about making things easier for them," she said. "They have enough to worry about. Frankly, it's mind-boggling how much they keep track of it and still remain so poised."

Dawson took care of her bosses so well, that the last two years when the clocks changed, they all arrived on time and she was an hour late. Nevertheless, this self-proclaimed baby-boomer has always been more concerned about her quality of work than an award.

The ninth child from a blended family of 22 siblings, Dawson was once in foster care - where she learned her most valuable life lesson, "life doesn't give you handouts."   

"But if you work hard for what you want, you can take care of your family," she said. "I'm so blessed to be able to retire. I'm going to miss it here, but family is important too. I can't wait to play with my grandchild."