UPPER MARLBORO, Md. –
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed for students and staff as part of a community outreach at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, Md., Nov. 17, 2017.
More than 70 military children attend the Joint Base Andrews feeder school, which is one of a number of schools that accepts students who live on base.
“Events like this foster great camaraderie between the schools and the surrounding military community,” said Sunny Babauta Lee, 11th Force Support Squadron school liaison officer.
The drill team performs at many high schools throughout the country every year, in an effort to bond with the kids and create a lasting impact.
“Ironically, the part of a drill performance that garners the most adoration from the students is not the performance itself, but the meet and greet afterwards,” said Master Sgt. Jason Evans, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard drill team superintendent. “Students get the opportunity after the performance to get autographs, shake hands, take photos and meet real Air Force Airmen who are often only a couple years older them.”
Approximately 300 students watched as the drill team performed. Events like these help maintain the strong bond JBA has with its feeder schools, and fosters strong relationships with military families and their schools.
“Opportunities like this are used as an incentive for students to maintain grades, attendance, and behavior,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. James Nickerson, Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School ROTC instructor. “We want students to build on their citizenship skills, and now the Air Force gets to be a part of that.”