The Honorary Commander Program is an official wing commander initiative designed to assist in uniting the base with its community partners to help establish better relationships with local representatives. Honorary commanders are paired with base leaders and will be invited to observe their missions firsthand. This unique access will provide insight into the mission and allows for authentic, two-way engagement.

Honorary commanders are expected to actively engage with base activities, including attending key events such as changes of command, award ceremonies, and base tours. This helps provide firsthand insight into the daily life and mission of Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Benefits
During a time of rapid change and modernization, this is an excellent way to form closer ties with our military leaders to gain a better understanding of the mission here at Malmstrom and build partnerships that can help our communities plan for and move into the future. If you’re interested and have time to commit to learning and becoming our voice in your community, this is the perfect place to start.

Term Length
The Malmstrom Honorary Commander Program is a voluntary program with a maximum two-year term limit. It is designed to build and maintain solid, mutually beneficial partnerships between local communities and Malmstrom. 

If selected, honorary commanders should be included in unit functions as much as possible, providing a hands-on experience in the program. They should be invited to be a part of their assigned unit and attend not only business functions such as unit ceremonies and meetings, but family functions as well, i.e., Christmas parties, unit picnics, and other such unit events. The honorary commander will be invited to base-wide events such as awards ceremonies and changes of command. Honorary commanders should make every effort to be involved and attend at least one event per quarter but are encouraged to attend as many events as possible to gain knowledge and build a strong partnership with their military commander, unit personnel and Malmstrom.

While we encourage active engagement between honorary commanders and their military counterparts, we understand that mission comes first, and professional commitments may occasionally limit participation. Should a participant need to step away from the program, we view it as a reflection of mission priorities, and not a negative reflection of the individual and their organization. All questions, concerns or issues about the overall program should be directed to the 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office. Commitment and feedback is essential to the success of this program. 

• Honorary commanders are selected from among non-federal elected or appointed officials, mayors, chamber of commerce-type group members, principals of local schools, Military Affairs Committee members, business leaders and others who, because of their position or influence in the community, can positively impact public support for the base. Honorary Commanders are nominated by base public affairs, and must be approved by the base legal office and the 341st Missile Wing Commander.

  1. Honorary Commanders should:
  1. Be a United States citizen of outstanding character, integrity and patriotism.
  2. Be a leader in local/regional/national community affairs.
  3. Be in a position to provide individual perspectives to senior Air Force and Space Force leaders on Air Force and Space Force initiatives, issues and other matters of interest.
  4. Be in a position to disseminate information about the Air Force and Space Force to broad cross section of the public and to other prominent citizens in his or her area.
  5. Be able to interpret and affect public attitude toward the Air Force and Space Force.
  6. Be able and willing to devote a reasonable amount of time as a civic leader for the installation.
  1. Honorary Commanders will not:
  1. Be an employee of the federal government.
  2. Be a federally elected or appointed official. Locally elected or appointed officials will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  3. Be an active member of the National Guard or a member of the Ready Reserve (Selected), Individual Ready Reserve or Standby Reserve.
  4. Be a retired military member of any service. Exceptions will be rare and approved at the MAJCOM/PA or Field Command PA level when there is significant justification for inclusion.
  5. Be a paid employee of any political party or candidate.
  6. Be a DoD contractor or hold financial interests that conflict with their role as a civic leader, or those who have current, or are bidding on, contracts with the DoD.

  Note: Nominees can work in a media-related field, but should not be a newspaper, TV, professional blogger/vlogger, or radio reporter, due to the inherent conflicts of interest.