CNATT Unit Lemoore Sailor selected for top base honor guard award

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Aviation Boatswain’s Mate First Class Marcus D. Powell was selected as the Base Honor Guard Member of the Year by Air Force Col. Matthew Reilman, 17th Training Wing commander.

Powell, a firefighting instructor who is currently stationed at Naval Detachment Goodfellow Air Force Base (AFB), which is a satellite learning site for CNATT Unit Lemoore, California. When not delivering fire suppression curriculum to service members of all branches and Department of Defense civilians, Powell has invested his time in becoming a professional ambassador among his peers and throughout the state of Texas.

As a funeral honors coordinator for the honor guard, he has led 128 Sailors in rendering honors to 145 Veterans across 29 Texas counties. Of those ceremonies, Powell personally conducted nine of them as the Honor Guard lead. He also represents the Navy in the joint service Honor Guard at the command.  

During his time with the joint service Honor Guard, Powell has performed at both military and public events. He served as the Navy Flag bearer for the 334th Military Intelligence Battalion Change of Command, 313th Training Squadron Change of Command, Funeral Honors Memorial Service, Goodfellow AFB Change of Command, Medal of Honor Ceremony, Mertzon Homecoming Parade, Veteran's Day Parade, ASU football game, Millersville Community Center Retirement, Menard Veteran's Day Parade, Lights of Christmas, Navy vs. Army Game, Welcome Home Veterans, and Wreaths Across America.

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Jason Norrod, CNATTU Learning Site Goodfellow's senior enlisted advisor,  shared his thoughts on the caliber of Sailor he believes Powell to be.

“ABH1 Powell’s leadership, professionalism and motivation is the reason for countless appreciation cards and letters delivered to the base commander for his impeccable military bearing during his last three years of performing military ceremonies," Norrod said. "The amount of time and dedication he puts towards a no-fail collateral duty on top of being a Fire Instructor at the world’s largest Fire Academy, ABH1 Powell inspires others he comes into contact with to be a better person, including myself. He is the true definition of a Team Player and represents not only the CNATT domain, but the entire Navy at a Joint Command!   BZ ABH1 Powell!!”