JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland –
The process of planning a retirement ceremony can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be that way. Every other month, the Air Force District of Washington Ceremonies and Protocol staff coordinates a retirement ceremony National Capital Region Airmen can participate in.
"Active duty Air Force personnel, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard the rank of colonel and below assigned to the NCR and serviced by the Military Personnel Flight at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, the Pentagon or Joint Base Andrews are eligible to participate," said Betsy Adams, AFDW Ceremonies and Protocol director.
The ceremony, hosted by the AFDW commander or his designated representative, features the U.S. Air Force Band and Honor Guard is held at JBAB.
"Many Airmen find themselves working in joint jobs or with civilian leadership and don't have access to an Air Force ceremony or in many cases, our world-wide mission returnees have no support to put on a ceremony," Adams said. "These Airmen wouldn't have a retirement ceremony if not for this program. This is just another forum for our operations group to execute AFDW's ceremonial honors mission and honor our deserving Airmen."
To simplify the process for retirees, AFDW Ceremonies and Protocol staff members coordinate the script, official photographer, presentation medal and provides 25 invitations.
"The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard executes the ceremony on the day of the event," said Maj. Scott Belton, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard assistant director of operations. "We provide a narrator, an officer in charge to brief the sequence of events to the official party and retirees, colors troops for the national anthem and colors presentation, award bearers to carry medals and certificates, and escorts to escort spouses of the official party."
Ceremonies during April, June and August 2015 are scheduled to take place on the Air Force Ceremonial Lawn at JBAB on or near the last Friday of the month. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the Bolling Club or a designated venue if the club is not available.
"This is a unique opportunity to have the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and Band perform at your retirement ceremony," Belton said. "These bi-monthly retirements require minimal coordination on the retiree's part. Only Air Force members retiring in the NCR have the opportunity to take part in the bi-monthly retirements. If an Airman is lucky enough to be one of these people, they should definitely take advantage."
Airmen must register and complete a participation package no later than the fifth day of the ceremony month to participate in the AFDW retirement ceremony. For more information, contact the ceremonies section at (202) 767-7493, (202) 767-4265 or (202) 404-6264.