F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo -- Senior Airman Orry Arcemont, ceremonial guardsman with the 90th Missile Wing’s base Honor Guard, joined the Air Force in 2018 for all the opportunities and doors it would open. Arcemont joined as a defender and came to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, in 2018. He performed as a Response Force Leader until 2020, when he deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
Shortly after getting back from his deployment, Arcemont went seeking leadership approval to become a member of the Honor Guard. In March of 2021, he was able to join and start his training. Just over a year later, he was recognized as Global Strike Command’s Outstanding Airman of the Year for Honor Guard.
“I wanted to try something new outside of my career field,” said Arcemont. “I wanted to get a fresh perspective, and this happened at the perfect time.”
Arcemont started his training with a two-week course that mentally and physically prepares Airmen for the fundamentals of Honor Guard. Following this, Arcemont went through three months of certifications that prepared him for all the specific aspects of the mission. During each aspect of the training, Arcemont and his fellow trainees were taught to move away from individualistic thinking and taught how to work together as a team.
As a ceremonial guardsman, Arcemont performs military funeral honors across 95,000 square miles in Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska for fallen active-duty members, veterans and retirees. Arcemont also performs color details for changes of command, retirements, promotion ceremonies and special events for the installation and local community. He has also spent time as an instructor and as the lead instructor for the incoming honor guardsmen. He filled the position of assistant non-commissioned officer in charge, helping to run the Honor Guard program.
“I don’t believe I would be where I am today without the things that happened to me in the past year,” said Arcemont. “I lost a grandfather, who served as an Army Ranger, three months after joining the Honor Guard. I lost several coworkers and peers following that.”
Arcemont gives credit to his lost loved ones for driving him to do better at his mission and everyday role as a ceremonial guardsman. He earned the title of Honor Guard Outstanding Airman of the year for Air Force Global Strike Command for 2021, and he will be recognized during a ceremony at Barksdale Air Force Base, May 12, 2022.
“I know how it feels to be on both sides of the flag, the honor guard side and the family side,” said Arcemont. “Now, it means a lot more doing the services. I am more focused, more dedicated and want to make sure everything is done perfectly for the family.”
According to Arcemont, the hard things he has had to deal with made him more dedicated to his role in the Honor Guard. His newfound dedication to his role made him stand out to his leadership, who saw him fit for the title of Outstanding Airman for Honor Guard and submitted his package for consideration.
"Senior Airman Arcemont has continually and habitually set himself apart as a top-notch Airman and Guardsman," said Master Sgt. Bonnie Kilichowski, 90th Missile Wing Honor Guard program manager. "Senior Airman Arcemont's professionalism, attention to detail, leadership skills and devotion to the mission have set him apart from his peers. I am proud to work side by side with him.”
Arcemont said that he believes he is meant to help people and will continue to do so by helping others become the best Honor Guardsmen they can be and by providing services to his brothers and sisters in arms for many more ceremonies to come. One day, he aspires to be an Air Force Honor Guardsman and to perform his duties in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.