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Joint base community welcomes civilian ‘commanders’

  • Published
  • By Airman Tara A. Williamson
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  A total of 94 honorary commanders from the surrounding community were inducted into the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst extended family during a ceremony at the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 64 (VR-64) Hangar here Aug. 20, 2013.

The community leaders serve a year-long term in their new roles as the base's newest honorary commanders.

As a memorial to honor David Nagel, the 305th Air Mobility Wing emeritus honorary commander who passed away July 30, 2013, a chair remained on stage throughout the ceremony.

According to the Honorary Commanders fact sheet, the program provides commanders with a means to effectively educate participants on the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines missions of the joint base. It also encourages communication between the surrounding communities and commanders by showcasing the joint base's capabilities, future leaders and the caliber of men and women serving at JB MDL.

Col. James Hodges, JB MDL and 87th Air Base Wing commander, led the formation of honorary commanders in reciting an oath, resembling the military's oath of enlistment, as they were formally inducted into the program.

"It's a great and humbling experience to be called a commander," said Hodges. "To be a steward of these resources and these people that America has entrusted us with. As we induct you as honorary commanders today, let me challenge you to join in on my top priorities."

The joint base commander charged the honorary commanders with tasks to work on during their tenure at the joint base.

Hodges' three priorities for the new honorary commanders were for them to get to know the mission of their units, get to know the people of their units and tell the stories they hear from personnel to the people of their communities to help them better understand the joint base mission.

"I challenge you to join in helping me with those three priorities," said Hodges. "I invite you to serve like champions, because it's that championship caliber everyone expects from us. Serve like champions and together we, as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, will win as one."

The program is important to both the military and civilian members of the program.

"It's a wonderful experience and a wonderful program," said Charles Cottrell, 88th Aerial Port Squadron honorary commander. "It's an eye-opener. It shows you a lot of different aspects of what happens on a military installation."

Michael Cole, 35th Aerial Port Squadron honorary commander, shared his gratitude to the joint base for help he received after Hurricane Sandy.

"My basement was flooded, a wall collapsed and it was covered with a couple feet of mud," said Cole, who has been a member of the program for five years. "We had members of the 514th (Air Mobility Wing) come out and dig out my basement for me, approximately 20 members. That was a huge help."

Military commanders are encouraged to invite their civilian counterparts to unit functions to help form the bond between the military and civilian communities.

"Get to know the people, get to know the units, whenever you can do something at any of their functions definitely get involved," said Cottrell, four-year member of the honorary commander program.

The honorary commanders were asked to save the date for a "boot camp" they will be invited to Oct. 22, 2013.