JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
It is a rare Airman whose call of duty extends across four decades, encompassing nearly his entire adult life Air Force.
On Jan. 22 at Joint Base Andrews, such an Airman retired at age 62 with more than 40 years of service to the Air Force.
Lieutenant Col. (ret.) Thomas Marcoux, former 316th Wing Protocol senior duty officer, carried the Air Force tradition of honor beyond what it would take to set up a comfortable retirement.
"Mr. Marcoux distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States," said Lt. Col. Ron Adler, 316 WG Protocol senior duty officer. "His leadership was critical in directly supporting 1,000 distinguished visitor movements, including numerous missions supporting Air Force One, foreign heads of state, members of the G-20 Summit and Pope Benedict XVI. His can-do attitude and steadfast excellence made him the natural choice to lead the protocol office when the former director of protocol suddenly passed away."
For Mr. Marcoux, entering the Air Force was a promising possibility as a young adult.
"I saw the prospect of entering the Air Force as a great opportunity," said Mr. Marcoux.
He seized that opportunity, and came in as an Active Duty Airman and a jet mechanic on fighter aircraft. It was toward the end of his career that he decided to re-transition from the Air Force Reserves back into Active Duty status. It was at this time that Mr. Marcoux took the job as a protocol officer here.
"I was excited to come to Joint Base Andrews," said Mr. Marcoux. "The opportunity of entering the protocol career field was great."
Inside the protocol office, Mr. Marcoux noticed that his team and all other agencies on Joint Base Andrews kept with the Air Force tradition of teamwork.
"In the protocol career field, you work jointly with a lot of other units on base," said Mr. Marcoux. "The support and teamwork we received played a huge part in all mission success."
The decades that Mr. Marcoux has given to the Air Force have also given back to him.
"My service in the Air Force gave me direction, character and experience," said Mr. Marcoux.
His service to his country has made him an exemplary servicemember that will be remembered and recognized by his wingmen and family.
"The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Marcoux culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force," said Colonel Adler.