Global Strike hosts protocol workshop at 917th Wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Crystal M. Jordan
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command hosted a five-day protocol workshop in the 917th Wing auditorium on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., from November 9, 2009 through November 13, 2009 in order to teach active duty, reserve and civilian personnel who work on Barksdale proper protocol procedures.

The protocol classes, which averaged about 20 students each day, were taught by Kathleen Ryan, director of protocol for Headquarters United States Air Force and Maggie Bonner, a protocol representative for Headquarters Air Force Services Agency.

The workshop, organized by 2nd Lt. Irene Berman, a Global Strike protocol officer here, touched on areas that every protocol and public affairs representative should be proficient in. Among other things, the course covered subjects ranging from professional dress and appearance, flag etiquette and proper dining techniques.

Throughout the five-day period the class attended lectures, participated in mock exercises and took an excursion to the flight line on Barksdale AFB where they walked through proper greeting and receiving procedures of distinguished visitors.

"At the moment, there is no standard Department of Defense school to teach protocol," explained Ms. Ryan. Therefore, it is left up to individuals such as Ms. Bonner and Ms. Ryan to travel to various locations and teach at seminars, workshops and classes.

There is a lot of useful information to be taken from the course, and it is a great opportunity if you get the chance to attend the workshop, said Ms. Bonner.

"This workshop was definitely useful to me," said Airman 1st Class Amanda Hill, a reservist in the orderly room of the 93rd Bomb Squadron on Barksdale, who also works as a civilian at the 93rd BS. "My civilian position is a change from my reservist one. As a civilian, I have to work around a lot of officers and high-ranking personnel. I am glad that I got to receive all of this information."