USAF Honor Guard Commander sees Air Force Core Values in command

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kenneth Marentette
  • U. S. Air Force Honor Guard
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington --  Everyone in the Air Force knows these are our core values: integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do. As members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, it is not only
our responsibility to uphold those values, but we must exemplify them.

It is easy to be proud of this unit because we clearly exemplify those values. I see this when I walk around the unit and see our technical school students learning rifle manuals; when I see an Airman training for a new qualification within his or her element; when I see a formation at Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon, or the Air Force Memorial; and when I see how much time we dedicate to volunteer projects.

Everyday we have Airmen who show up for commitments before most of their peers are even out of bed. We scrutinize at every detail of our uniforms and our performances - even the parts that spectators may never see. We do all of this because we believe in ourmission and we vowed to follow the USAF Honor Guard charge.

This certainly exemplifies integrity.

We just completed a very successful Air Force Assistance Fund campaign. We surpassed our goal, contributing to the 11th Operations Group's $12, 945 donation. Combine that with our 77 percent participation rate during the Combined Federal Campaign that more than tripled our goal, the 415 toys and $4,500 we collected for Holiday Cheer for Children, and you can see why so many leaders in the 11th Wing and the Air Force District of Washington are amazed by our generosity.

This clearly exemplifies service before self.

Finally, on April 14, the U.S  Air Force Drill Team culminated months of preparation when they won the Joint Armed Forces Drill Competition at the Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C. We have competed for the past five years. This was the first year where we were able to bring home the trophy.

For those of you who were there and supported the Drill Team during the competition, we thank you. Your presence did not go unnoticed - and you have the privilege of knowing that our team dominated the show.

The entire team worked together with intensity and precision. This clearly exemplifies excellence in all we do.

I am proud to be a member of the USAF Honor Guard because we truly exemplify the Air Force core values every day. Thank you for your integrity, service and the excellence you display in everthing you do.