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Cannon Airmen garner AFSOC honor guard awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two Airmen from Cannon's Honor Guard showed that hard work and dedication pays off by being named the winners of two categories from Air Force Special Operations Command March 18.

Tech Sgt. Rodney Barner, 27th Special Operations Services Squadron, and Senior Airman Geoff Leal, 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, were announced as the Base Program Manager of the Year and Honor Guardsman of the Year, respectively. 

The base honor guard performs various duties including military funerals, presenting colors at official functions, and community relations.

"We (Cannon) swept AFSOC," said Sergeant Barner who, with Airman Leal, will now compete at the Air Force-level round of competition.

The Airmen were made aware of their achievement with a phone call to report to the wing commander's office and not be late. There they learned that they had both won in their respective categories.

"I had no knowledge at all beforehand," said Airman Leal.

"It was a shock. I thought the results had already been released," added Sergeant Barner. "It still hasn't really sunk in yet."

Sergeant Barner has been with the base honor guard for 13 months, and Airman Leal is quickly approaching his second year. Both Airmen agree that it's an experience that will never leave them.

"I come from a military background. My dad, my grandfather, and great grandfather were all in the military," said Airman Leal. "This is beneficial to me because we are paying respects to those who came before us."

"It's not to be taken lightly and I wish above all that this will make me a much better individual, NCO, and Airman," said Sergeant Barner.

The scope of the award was not only limited to honor guard-related activities, but also required significant self-improvement and outside education.

"To those coming in (to the honor guard) I'd say, 'you've got to jump in with both feet,'" said Airman Leal. "Stay motivated, concentrate, and ride it out. Those good days stand out."