The Hebenstreits: Soldiers, coworkers, best friends
(Story by Staff Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affair)
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark J. Hebenstreit and Sgt. 1st Class Melanie R. Hebenstreit of Springfield, Illinois, with Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) in Springfield, Illinois, recently retired after both served more than 28 years in the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG).
The couple met in the military in July 1992 on their first day of work as federal technicians in the military personnel office at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois.
"We give credit to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mary Anne Wilber for giving us our start, acclimating us to the full-time program and bringing Melanie and I together," said Mark.
Though the Hebenstreits didn't always work in the same office as they moved up the ranks, they always helped each other along the way.
"Melanie handled incentives for the state so I went to her for subject-matter-expertise to ensure standards were kept related to bonuses," said Mark.
Melanie said the couple communicated a lot about career choices on their car rides home together.
"We made sure to leave our work talk in the car," said Melanie.
Mark said Melanie kept the couple centered.
"She made sure we had a good work-life balance, otherwise we would really have missed the experience of life," said Mark.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tyler Penley of Sherman, Illinois, Personnel Actions Branch Chief for the Illinois National Guard said both Melanie and Mark embodied what it means to be a National Guard Soldier.
"They were very good at balancing home life, work commitments and being a Soldier," said Penley.
Penley said he admired both Mark and Melanie for different reasons.
"I always respected Melanie's bluntness and honesty," said Penley. "She was very knowledgeable in her field. You could always take her answers as fact."
Penley said Mark was one of the smartest guys he has ever met.
"I have always looked up to Mark. He is in another league," said Penley. "His reach in this organization goes not just throughout the entire state, but nationally as well. He will be greatly missed."
Penley said both Hebenstreits cared for Soldiers and always did their best to help them.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mariah Peterson of Tallula, Illinois, Deputy State Surgeon for the Illinois National Guard said she has known the couple since 1998 and said she was friends with both but worked more with Mark.
"From as early as I can remember, decisions requiring the Human Resource Office or Judge Advocate General's technical guidance always had Mark's review and comments," said Peterson. "There are few warrant officers, senior NCOs or field grade officers who don't owe him for some nugget of wisdom or outright argument-of-fact that saved them or their Soldier from administrative pain and suffering."
Peterson said Mark is a great leader and he always recognized, rewarded and leveraged excellence in others.
"This organization is losing a very valuable asset to the National Guard by Chief Hebenstreit retiring," said 1st Sgt. Paul Kindred of Jacksonville, Illinois, Personnel Branch noncommissioned officer in charge, Illinois National Guard. "You can find people that know policy, but it's very hard to replace an individual like him."
Kindred said he never saw Mark lose his composure and professionalism when most others would have.
"He was always great at listening to other people's side of things and then showing them the right way to do tasks in a calm manner," said Kindred. "I believe traits like that are unique to an individual and are what made him such a great leader."
The couple, who have been married for 17 years, joined the service nearly 30 years ago because of the college incentives and because both their fathers served on active duty in the Air Force.
Melanie said they didn't think they would be in this long, but the years flew by.
"It's like the analogy you hear, the days go by slow, but the years seem to go by fast," said Mark.
Melanie said the best part about working at the same place is having lunch together because we enjoy each other's company.
"The worst part was when one is working later than the other and we rode together to work," said Mark.
The couple attributes their accomplishments over the years to each other.
During their careers the couple cited many accomplishments. Melanie managed more than $50 million in bonus payments over the past six years and Mark implemented electronic processes for Soldiers documents to increase efficiency and save money.
Mark said his most memorable accomplishment was managing where troops were employed throughout Afghanistan during his deployment with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, supporting efforts during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009.
"We really see each other as a team and we wouldn't have accomplished what we did without the other's support," said Mark. "Melanie was an amazing spouse to have at home managing everything and caring for our children while I was deployed."
The couple have two children together, 15-year-old Jakob and 13-year-old Kiana. Mark's 20-year-old son, Grant, serves with the 233rd Military Police Company based in Springfield, Illinois.
Melanie said they plan to take time off this summer to do some traveling and work on home projects.
Mark said he is waiting to take the Senior Professional Human Resource certification test and will look for somewhere to work locally until Jakob and Kiana finish high school. Melanie is not planning to work right away.
"Ultimately, we plan to build a new house on our land out in the country near Rushville," said Mark.
Penley, Kindred, Peterson all said they wish the couple the best moving into retirement
