Protocol a behind-the-scenes job

  • Published
  • By Nick DeCicco
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As she tries to relax in her chair ready to answer a volley of interview questions, Capt. Patrice Williams breathes a sigh of relief.

It's the first relief the new chief of the 60th Air Mobility Wing Protocol Office has had in a long day.

"There is no one particular job that can prepare you for Protocol," the captain says with an uneasy chuckle. Seconds later, as if it were scripted, the BlackBerry buzzes in her pocket, delivering Protocol-related news via short message service.

Her electronic tether underscores what she says when she talks about being surprised by the fast-paced nature of the Protocol world. Captain Williams said she had no idea it would be such a demanding office. Although, in fairness, she was one of several people who now work in the office who did not know what Protocol is or what it does before being assigned there.

This raises the essential question which brought the BlackBerry-toting captain to an interview in the first place: What, exactly, does Protocol do?

"Everything," quips 2nd Lt. Bobby Hale, the deputy chief of Protocol, with a smirk.
But his knowing smile fails to conceal a truth known all too well to those in Travis' Protocol office. The office does a brisk, jack-of-all-trades business, with duties including "everything from mopping the floors to greeting foreign dignitaries," says Capt. Leslie Weitershausen, the outgoing chief of Protocol.

"I had no idea what [Protocol] was," said Senior Airman Lee Stuchell, another new addition to the team. "It's been interesting, intriguing. ... I feel like I've learned so much already and there's still 1,000 things left to learn."

Demanding is a good word for the challenges facing the Protocol office for the largest wing in Air Mobility Command. The Travis team provides support for the 60 AMW, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force, 615th Contingency Response Wing and the 349th Air Mobility Wing, a duty serving more than 23,000 people.

The unit's mission description includes handling most Air Force-related ceremonies, including changes of command, retirements, promotions, monthly retreats, awards banquets and formal dinners. At a recent function, the Protocol office helped with everything from setting up the ceremony's tables and chairs to pouring beverages for the guests.

"Nobody thought about how the coffee got there or the tables," Captain Weitershausen said. "We're behind the scenes, like the directors of a play for a Broadway show. We're the people behind the curtain. And we should be."
The goal is to make everything go off without a hitch and for the Protocol office to be an invisible part of the process.

"If we're not pointed out, it was done right," Lieutenant Hale added.

Perhaps the most visible part of Protocol's duties is greeting visitors to the base on what they call "gas-and-go" refueling stops. In 2008 alone, the members of the office have welcomed President Bush, Mexico's President Felipe Calderón and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger among others.

Staff Sgt. Bryan Evans, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Protocol, said it's important to remember customs and courtesies when meeting foreign dignitaries and distinguished visitors.

"It's intimidating," he said. "You keep your mouth shut and put your best foot forward. You have to remember that you represent the base and Colonel Dillon."

Like everyone except the Protocol chiefs, Sergeant Evans has been plucked from another unit to join the Protocol crew for a period of time. Sergeant Evans, with the 22nd Airlift Squadron, estimated he spends 95 percent of his time with Protocol.

Recently, the office was focused on preparations for the arrival of Travis' 13th and final C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, named the Spirit of Travis. Ceremonies for its arrival included descendents and family members of the base's namesake, with members of the Protocol office coordinating the schedule for tours as well as preparing the ceremony grounds.

The job may be challenging, but Captain Weitershausen said the nature of the job fosters camaraderie between the office's members, who have come to look out for one another and help lift each other's spirits.

"We've become pretty close, so we take care of each others morale," she said.

It can be a heavy burden and a responsibility to be a jack of all trades, but Captain Weitershausen said the bottom line is that there's no room for compromise or cutting corners.

"We're the first faces of the base," she said.