WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Staff Sgt. Shane Ellis, 87th Aerial Port Squadron, won the 2019 Air Force Reserve Command’s Base Honor Guard Member of the Year.
Ellis was the NCO in charge of 85 events where he provided flawless military honors for fallen veterans, executing 156 ceremonies and traveling 38,218 miles working 1,192 hours. He was selected as the lead trainer for the active duty honor guard rotation. Ellis led a five-day Guard and Reserve training mission to Camp Perry that resulted in 18 Air Reserve Component honor guard members from eight units mission ready.
Sergeant Ellis led an elite pall bearer team; the pall bearer team is the most difficult position to hold in the honor guard. He was handpicked for a 20-man funeral honors service (an active duty funeral that is the largest and most complex ceremony the honor guard performs) and rendered a dignified final salute, crystallizing Air Force representation. The NCO introduced three new honor guard candidates, briefing each on ceremonial, training and participation requirements.
Ellis led the Colors team during the 445th Airlift Wing 9/11 remembrance ceremony. He also led his squadron’s open ranks inspection that had 150 Airmen in formation.
Ellis was selected above his peers to replace the outgoing active duty flight sergeant. In this role, he will supervise 12 honor guard members.
The sergeant volunteered six overnight missions for ceremonies that lasted more than five hours. The effort saved fatigue and man hours for his flight members. Ellis modified the active duty detail scheduling when he ensured fair duty hour distribution and strategic division of labor. The sergeant collected and delivered $100 in donated goods to the Wright-Patterson United Service Organizations.