Airman wins protocol award; First in PACAF

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramsouer
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Professionals can be described as individuals exhibiting a courteous, conscientious and generally businesslike manner in the workplace. Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Bechand, 11th Air Force Protocol superintendent, is, by any definition, a professional.

Due to Bechand's can-do attitude and his team members working above and beyond, the protocol office was awarded the 2012 George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence. The award recognizes the best services, personnel functions and units throughout the Air Force.

The protocol career field is a fairly new job that originated within the Services Air Force specialty code, which includes jobs like mortuary affairs, fitness managers and food services. Protocol became its own AFSC in 2003. The newly appointed career field implemented new guidelines that clarified the types of display of the United States, Prisoner of War/Missing in Action and Medal of Honor flags. Changes in common Air Force customs and courtesies were also addressed.

Bechand is one example of an Air Force member who takes pride in his job. He starts work at 7 a.m. and sometimes does not leave until 11 p.m., when all of the smallest details are perfected. He takes every step to ensure the proper customs and courtesies are implemented at every distinguished event on JBER.

Joining the Air Force was a choice he wanted to make when his brother called him telling him to join the service. Bechand said he listened to his brother, a Marine, who told him to avoid the lifestyle of a Marine and join the Air Force. The advice would not leave Bechand and after 20 years, he says it was a great decision.

Not knowing what he wanted to do, he joined with the possibility to be assigned to any job in the Air Force. When he found out he was going to be a cook, the first thing he thought was "I don't know how to cook."

After learning how to be a cook in six weeks, he arrived at his first duty station.

"They said, OK, you learned how to flip omelets, go make an omelet," Bechand said. "If my can-do attitude wasn't on board from the get-go, I wouldn't be here today."

Bechand learned his attitude from his father while growing up, he said.

While testing for his master sergeant stripe in 2011, Bechand was also testing to become a protocol team member. After being a cook for 18 years, he filled the position of superintendent of protocol and said he was truly happy with the change.

Providing the installation commander with distinguished visitor and ceremonial support is a fraction of the responsibilities of a protocol officer. Assisting in planning changes of command, special events and other ceremonial activities are also part of the job description.

Not only did this award prove he and his coworkers can get the job done, but it also reflects the impact home life has on Bechand.

"Without the support of his family, it would be very difficult to do his job," said Cindy Harris, 11th Air Force chief of Protocol.

To top off his tireless dedication to his job, Bechand, with the help of his wife Melissa, balances four children of their own, supports two adopted children and fosters one three-month-old baby boy. He also makes time to do some wood working and maintains his yard. He said bike rides with his children have recently become a hobby that he enjoys as well.

This is what really made Air Force 1st Lt. Meghan Cummings, 11th Air Force protocol officer, nominate Bechand to be the first superintendent of Protocol to receive the Pacific Air Force Protocol Professional of the Quarter award.

"He always steps up and goes above and beyond," she said.