Honor Guard wins AFSOC awards

Two airmen from Cannon’s Honor Guard showed that hard work and dedication pays off by being named the winners of two categories from Air Force Special Operations Command.

Tech Sgt. Rodney Barner, 27th Special Operations Services Squadron, and Senior Airman Geoff Leal, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, were announced as the Base Program Manager of the Year and Honor Guardsman of the Year, respectively.

“We (Cannon) swept AFSOC,” said Barner who, with Leal, will now compete at the Air Force-level round of competition.

The airmen were made aware of their achievement with a phone call to report to the wing commander’s office and not be late. There they learned that they had both won in their respective categories.

“I had no knowledge at all beforehand,” said Leal.

“It was a shock. I thought the results had already been released,” added Barner. “It still hasn’t really sunk in yet."

Barner has been with the base honor guard for 13 months, and Leal is approaching his second year. Both airmen agree that it’s an experience that will never leave them.

“I come from a military background. My dad, my grandfather, and great-grandfather were all in the military,” said Leal. “This is beneficial to me because we are paying respects to those who came before us."

“It’s not to be taken lightly, and I wish above all that this will make me a much better individual, NCO and airman,” said Barner.

The scope of the award was not only limited to honor guard-related activities, but also required significant self-improvement and outside education.

“To those coming in (to the honor guard) I’d say, ‘You’ve got to jump in with both feet,’” said Leal. “Stay motivated, concentrate, and ride it out. Those good days stand out."

The base honor guard performs various duties including military funerals, presenting colors at official functions, and community relations.

If accepted to the base honor guard, airmen go through two weeks of training and then work one week every two weeks for one year, at which point they can choose to continue their work with the honor guard.

Individuals interested in joining the base honor guard can call 784-6996.