Area leaders get taste of service with boot camp

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Twenty-eight Travis honorary commanders completed a six-hour boot camp April 3 specifically tailored to integrate the civic leaders into the military culture.

The honorary commander program consists of 62 key civic leaders from counties surrounding Travis. Each civic leader is assigned to a wing, group or squadron commander at Travis. The purpose of the program is to encourage the exchange of ideas, experiences and friendships between key members of the civilian and the military community.

Karen Smith, Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce executive director and 60th Operations Support Squadron honorary commander, said she was inspired and nominated by two previous honorary commanders to join the program.

"I am really interested in seeing how Travis can help Rio Vista and find out what Rio Vista could do for Travis," she said.

For the civic leaders to become fully engaged in the Air Force mission, it's necessary to introduce them to the basics of the overall Air Force. For this reason, the intensive honorary commander boot camp was created so honorary commanders can better understand their military counterparts.

"The honorary commander boot camp gives civic leaders all the basics they need for the protocol for the position," said Jack Caldwell, California Water Service Company Dixon district and 312th Airlift Squadron honorary commander.

Caldwell, who's in his second year as an honorary commander, said he participates in the monthly Unit Training Assembly weekends with his unit.

"I try to get involved in all there is to see and do," he said. "I've really learned a lot."

The morning began with a physical training session which included pushups, sit ups and stretching.

Following the PT session, the honorary commanders attended a class at the Airman Leadership School presented by experts from around the base.

The classroom session kicked off with the Travis mission video and the Airman's Creed before teaching the honorary commanders about Air Force organization, customs and courtesies, core values, base driving protocols and a discussion of ethics.

Caldwell said learning about the rank and knowing the comparisons to the civilian level really helped him understand the different levels.

After the briefings, honorary commanders were invited to learn and practice drill movements.

They were instructed on preparatory and execution commands. Then they had the opportunity to execute their newly learned moves during a "Retreat" flag ceremony.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to drill and show respect to the flag," Caldwell said.

Afterward, the honorary commanders ate lunch and socialized with their respective commanders. To conclude the boot camp honorary commanders went through a mobility line where they tried on Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear and went to weapons issue.

"I enjoyed coming to Travis and seeing all that goes on here," Smith said.