Congratulations to Minot Air Force Base’s TSgt Lance Vandervoort 5 FSS, for being recognized as the Global Strike Command Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year! The Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year award is an annual award that recognizes the extraordinary individual who made the most significant impact by supporting military honors for the funerals of fallen warriors, retirement ceremonies, and change of commands.

TSgt Vandervoort had demonstrated that his dedication and contributions to the Honor Guard program made him stand out above the rest of the other candidates. In order to be chosen as the Honor Guard Program Manager of the year, TSgt Vandervoort had to compete against other nominees and win at Air Force Global Strike Command level. Before TSgt Vandervoort ultimately won at the Global Strike level, he had to first compete against the 8th Air Force and win and then he had to compete against the 20th Air Force and win.

When asked what it meant for him to be recognized as the Honor Guard Program Manager of the year, TSgt Vandervoort stated, “honestly, it’s extremely humbling.” He further explained that he originally had “no expectations of being nominated let alone winning at Global Strike.”
This award is so prestigious that TSgt Vandervoort spent an entire week at Global Strike headquarters, in Barksdale AFB, meeting commanders and other award winners at the awards ceremony. He mentioned that “being around the other award winners had definitely put into perspective of how many awesome people there are in the Air Force and in Global Strike.” The 5th BW flew him down to Barksdale where he and the other winners were invited to have breakfast with General Thomas Bussiere, the Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and CMSgt Shawn Aiello, the Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air Force Global Strike Command. TSgt Vandervoort mentioned that “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to have breakfast with a four-star general in his office.” He also noted that Global Strike does a good job of keeping the winners together for multiple conferences throughout the year until the next team is selected.

When asked what some of the biggest rewards are to being an Honor Guard Program Manager, TSgt Vandervoort reflected, “the biggest [reward] is just knowing that what we do has an impact on someone’s life.” He said his position includes “military honors for the funerals, or doing change of commands, or doing retirement ceremonies so it’s a pivotal time in someone’s life or career.” He elaborated on that by saying that “being the last military presence in someone’s life and knowing that we helped in some way for those types of [events] is super rewarding.” He also expressed that it is rewarding when the Airman under him are recognized from senior leadership for their achievements. TSgt Vandervoort remarked that it makes him happy, “to see on a day-to-day basis how much that [recognition] impacts them and how much they strive for that, whether it’s them getting coined or a thank you from the wing commander.”

TSgt Vandervoort stated, “To be honest I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for it [Honor Guard Program Manager], but it is by far the most rewarding career that I think you can have in the Air Force.”

TSgt Vandervoort expressed that he could not have made it this far without the support of some of his leadership. He would like to thank his immediate supervisor, 5 FSS SEL, Chief Master Sergeant Eric Lawlor, who served in the honor guard for many years and whose knowledge of the struggles and challenges had been very helpful to TSgt Vandervoort when he became the program manager. TSgt Vandervoort also wanted to specifically thank his First Sergeant, Master Sergeant John Silva for mentoring him. Furthermore TSgt Vandervoort remarked that he wanted to thank all his co-workers saying, “[Thanks to] every one of the Airmen that served on the honor guard with [me]. They all helped! Everything on [my awards] package is honestly thanks to the hard work that they put in.”

When asked what he would be striving to accomplish next, TSgt Vandervoort said he was “up for any challenge.” The position of Honor Guard Program Manager is a two-year position and TSgt Vandervoort is coming to the end of his term. With only three months left in his current position before returning to his normal career, Cable and Antenna Defense Operations, he said he is “ready to tackle any challenges that come with moving back to his original job.” Since TSgt Vandervoort comes from a communications background, he is anxious to return to his main career. “Everything progresses so fast IT wise that [I] don’t want to be out of that career field for to long.”

As he prepares to depart the Honor Guard Program Manager position, TSgt Vandervoort wanted to pass on some advice for the next program manager . He shared they should “be willing to be uncomfortable”, this job is “something totally different than what any AFSC does in the Air Force.” Expanding further, Vandervoort continued, “The challenge of the unknown….Our primary mission is Military Honors for the funerals and obviously you don’t know when those are coming, so just being prepared at all times for whatever is going to be thrown at you in the next week to two weeks.”

TSgt Vandervoort persevered and ultimately triumphed to become this year’s Global Strike Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year. His dedication and commitment will set the example for those that follow.