The Delaware National Guard recently assembled its Class of 2018 Honorary Commanders.
The Honorary Commanders were officially sworn in during a meeting of the Delaware Chamber of Commerce’s Joint Military Affairs Committee, according to Col. Len Gratteri - public affairs officer for the Delaware National Guard.
“Each year we induct 30 Honorary Commanders into the Delaware National Guard. And what that is, it’s a program where will will partner civilian leaders, business owners, educators and elected officials with a military commander and a military unit. The goal is to inform and educate what we’re doing in the Delaware National Guard and how we’re spending your tax money,” Gratteri said.
Gratteri says Honorary Commanders have the chance to visit National Guard troops during training, tour National Guard facilities, receive hands-on experience with training aids and get an orientation flight in a military aircraft.
“Civilian leaders will partner with military leaders; they’ll shadow a military unit. It gives them a chance to see what that unit does; it gives them a chance to see how they train; maybe even some hands-on training that the Honorary Commander could participate in. And we like to culminate the year with an orientation flight on either one of our Black Hawks or one of our C-130’s,” said Gratteri.
Gratteri adds the program is a chance for employers to see first-hand what an employee working part-time with the Guard does when they need to take time off from work.
Gratteri says Honorary Commanders may also see something in National Guard operations that could be helpful to their businesses.
2018 DNG Honorary Commanders by Delaware Public Media on Scribd
