Senior Master Sgt. Sara L. Demarest is the first sergeant for the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. She is the commander’s principal advisor on personnel matters affecting the 300 ceremonial guardsmen chosen to represent all members, past and present, of the U.S. Air Force. This includes the health, morale, welfare and discipline for all enlisted, officer and civilian personnel and their families. She advises members on personnel programs, family needs, financial matters and professional military education. She also enforces compliance with Air Force core values, standards of conduct and military professionalism.
Senior Master Sgt. Demarest hails from Burlington, Canada. She enlisted in the Air Force and attended basic military training in June 2005. She graduated the Physical Medicine Apprentice course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in December 2005. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of duties at the squadron and wing level while also deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2016, Senior Master Sgt. Demarest was selected for a developmental special duty assignment to the Forrest L. Vosler Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. In that position, she was a Noncommissioned Officer Academy professional military education instructor and principal advisor for curriculum development and implementation. Prior to her current position, she was the first sergeant for the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
EDUCATION
2009 Associate in Physical Therapy, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter Annex, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2010 Airman Leadership School, Lackland AFB, Texas
2013 Resilience Training Assistant, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2015 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Columbia Southern University, Miss.
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Lackland AFB, Texas
2016 Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor Course, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, by correspondence
2017 Associate in Applied Science Instructor of Technology and Military Science, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2017 Master Resilience Trainer, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
2018 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Professional Management Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, by correspondence
2021 Master of Science, Organizational Development and Leadership, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
2021 U.S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2005–July 2005, Trainee, 323rd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. July 2005–December 2005, Student, 382d Training Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas
3. December 2005–February 2013, Physical Medicine Technician, 59th Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas (June 2012–February 2013, Orthopedic Rehabilitation Team Lead, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Physical Therapy Team Lead, 33rd Rescue Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan)
4. February 2013–June 2016, Physical Therapy Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, 21st Medical Operations Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo.
5. June 2016–October 2021, Professional Military Education Instructor, Vosler Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB, Colo.
6. November 2021–June 2022, First Sergeant, 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
7. June 2022 -- November 2023, First Sergeant, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
8. November 2023–August 2024, First Sergeant, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany
9. August 2024–Present, First Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2010 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2015 Air Force Space Command Physical Medicine Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2016 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2020 Air University Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award Nominee (Senior Enlisted)
2021 Space Training and Readiness Delta Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
2021 Department of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy of the Year
2021 Community College of the Air Force Instructor Certification Level III
2021 United States Space Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Thomas N. Barnes Professional Military Education Instructor Award
2022 Department of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy of the Year
2022 Distinguished Graduate, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic June 28, 2005
Airman December 28, 2005
Airman First Class Oct. 28, 2006
Senior Airman June 28, 2008
Staff Sergeant July 1, 2011
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2015
Master Sergeant June 1, 2018
Senior Master Sergeant Nov. 1, 2022
(Current as of August 2024)