Honorary Commander program offers look inside the military

Supporting our military personnel is all the rage these days, especially after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and the wars and military actions that followed. And yet, unless you’ve actually served in one of the armed forces, the majority of us don’t have a really good idea of what it’s like to be in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

There is a way, however, that non-military citizens can get a small glimpse into the lives of our service men and women — the Honorary Commander’s Program at Fairchild Air Force Base. The program was started in 1982 by the Spokane Chamber of Commerce (now called Greater Spokane Incorporated) and the then commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing.

According to a Fairchild “talking paper,” a number of civic-minded and community leaders were matched with command personnel from the 92nd, the 141st Air Refueling Wing (Washington Air National Guard) and the 336th Training Group. The purpose is to “bring together leaders of the military and civilian communities in an informal program designed to foster mutual understanding and establish bonds of friendship.

Individuals are nominated into the program, and serve from 1 – 3 years, sometimes longer on a case-by-case basis. Nominees come from throughout the community and are nominated by current or past honorary commanders at Fairchild, community and/or business leaders.

Former military members are not allowed — they know what it’s like to serve firsthand — with the exception of those serving in certain civilian positions such as a mayor, or a city manager.

Honorary commanders and military command personnel that are matched will engage in a variety of activities, some formal such as base and unit social functions, tours and briefings. Other activities are less formal, such as family barbecues, and taking in an Eastern Washington University football game.

Recently a group of honorary commanders/civic leaders took part in one of the more formal events by flying to Travis Air Force Base, which is located about three miles east of Fairfield, in Solano County, Calif., just northeast of Oakland. For two days, the Spokane delegation met with their Travis counterparts, discussing issues common and unique to both bases.

They also watched Travis — a logistics cargo base — personnel perform some of their duties, including discussing parachuting from a plane in order to establish a ground perimeter for deployment of a temporary field base.

While the honorary commander program is mainly between civilians and officers, there is the opportunity to get involved with enlisted personnel through sponsorships. In either case, it’s an opportunity to see and be part of something few of us truly know.

It’s a chance to understand the sacrifices made, not just in blood, but also in lifestyle. It’s a chance to view men and women, who in many cases don’t appear to be too far removed from high school graduation, perform acts requiring high levels of coordination, strength and courage.

The Honorary Commander Program is an opportunity to provide friendship and a hands-on show of gratitude to military personnel, rather than the day-to-day lip service of flying a flag from a car fender, or passing along a “Share if you support our military” post on Facebook. It’s a chance to get to know those who serve on a first name basis, and one that should be taken advantage of should you be inducted, or know someone deserving of nomination.

Perhaps if more of us were involved in programs such as these, we might find it more desirable to insist our politicians pursue all diplomatic solutions to foreign policy conflicts before rushing headlong down the military response road.