A career of service comes full circle at ASU

Gratitude, remembrance and celebration filled the University Club at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus, as dozens gathered to honor Col. Andrew M. Leonard of the United States Army at his retirement ceremony.

An alumnus of the ROTC Sun Devil Battalion, Leonard began his Army career in 1994 while attending ASU, serving in a local Army Reserve unit. His connection to the university runs deep — ASU is a family tradition, with his father, nephew and sister all representing the maroon and gold.

In 1996, Leonard was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry at Old Main. On May 10, he will mark the 30th anniversary of his commission. Over more than three decades of service, he held a wide range of leadership roles across the United States and abroad, including deployments to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.

“His commanders consistently ranked him in the top one percent of all Army Colonels,” said Brig. Gen. Moe Calabrese, the presiding official, as he addressed those gathered to celebrate Leonard’s career.

A foreign area officer specializing in the Western Hemisphere, Leonard served in key diplomatic and strategic roles in Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Mexico. His assignments included work at the Pentagon, as well as senior positions supporting defense cooperation, intelligence operations, and international partnerships.

In his final post, Leonard served as deputy chief at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Americas and Transnational Threats Center, where he oversaw more than 400 intelligence professionals focused on regional threats and partnerships closest to the nation’s borders — a “fitting capstone to a career” defined by a deep commitment to the hemisphere and its security, Calabrese said.

Beyond its formalities, the ceremony reflected a deeper meaning centered on service and dedication.

“It’s about commitment,” Calabrese said. “Commitment to the cause, commitment to the country, commitment to our families and to what this nation stands for. It’s this commitment that is really what we’re celebrating today for Andy and all these years in military service.”

Following a nostalgic and bittersweet slideshow highlighting the breadth of his career, Leonard took the podium to address the audience, including his wife, children, family members, friends and longtime supporters.

“I want to leave you with one lesson that has stayed with me the whole way: it’s all about people,” Leonard said.

“So today, nearly 32 years of service later — yes, it’s service to the nation, but also, service to the people I served with,” he said. “That’s why I want to pass on what I’ve learned over more than three decades and why I will keep taking action. Because for me, this transition is not an end — it’s a continuation.”

That sense of continuation was fitting, as the ceremony also marked the launch of the Army/ROTC Alumni chapter, where Leonard will continue his involvement as a volunteer.

Leonard emphasized the importance of this new chapter, describing it as a foundational community and a place of continued connection.

“It’s a family. It’s a community. Everything is built upon those who came before us,” he said.

Reflecting on his early career, Leonard noted how mentorship and leadership shaped his development — instilling discipline and camaraderie. He expressed a desire to carry those lessons forward for future generations, emphasizing that his service extends beyond traditional definitions of security. At its core, it’s about relationships.

“Every voice matters. We have to make space for people to be heard, and more importantly, we have to truly listen. Because in the end, it always comes back to people,” Leonard said.

Those interested in joining the Army/ROTC Alumni chapter can visit the chapter’s webpage for more information on volunteering, service opportunities and upcoming events.