Air Force Senior Enlisted Aide Best in DOD

  • Published
  • By Capt. Renee Lee
  • PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  The senior enlisted aide to the commander of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) was recently named the Department of Defense Enlisted Aide of the Year, the first for the Air Force, Nov. 19 during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

After being recognized as the best in the Air Force, Master Sgt. Craig Duclos competed against four enlisted aides from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

As the senior enlisted aide to Gen. Howie Chandler, PACAF commander, Sergeant Duclos is constantly working behind the scenes to ensure smooth operations, whether he's orchestrating events for foreign dignitaries or tantalizing the taste buds of distinguished visitors with his culinary creations.

"Craig is a model senior NCO and a phenomenal aide who I trust and depend on daily," General Chandler said. "His leadership and attention to detail is a key reason why high-level senior foreign leader visits, for example, succeed in PACAF. What he does behind the scenes helps create an environment where important personal relationships and partnerships can be built."

Growing up, Sergeant Duclos was known as "the organizer" in his family. He loved to arrange family parties and cook for people. Influenced by his father, a Marine of 20 years, he was always detail-oriented and had a passion for serving others, said Sergeant Duclos. Even at the young age of 17, he managed a restaurant in his hometown, Fall River, Mass., for three years.

Though he enjoyed cooking and running the restaurant, Sergeant Duclos entered the Air Force as a missile maintainer.

"I wanted to do something I could grow in," he said.

Sergeant Duclos proved to be a natural as a missile maintainer given his acute attention to detail; he worked with nuclear certified missiles for nine years.

He first heard about the enlisted aide special duty program in 1993 but continued to work in missiles handling at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

In 1999, Sergeant Duclos took leave to shadow an enlisted aide at F. E. Warren, where he observed typical duties, including cleaning, uniform maintenance, housework, cooking, culinary and entertaining skills. Inspired to join the career field, Sergeant Duclos applied to the program and was hired that same year by the vice commander of Air and Education Training Command.

The job was another natural fit for Sergeant Duclos.

"I keep checklists for everything," he said. "Housekeeping, shopping, event planning - so I don't miss a step."

He attended several professional training courses including the Advanced Culinary Course at Fort Lee, Md., where he was the first Air Force honor graduate at the Army institute.

Soon after, he was assigned back to F.E. Warren, but this time as an enlisted aide, where he began working large-scale events, including parties involving up to 500 guests.

"The biggest challenge is coordinating with different agencies to meet the timeline of an event," Sergeant Duclos said. "There's a lot going on behind the scenes like working with protocol, the club, vendors, floral arrangements, table settings, the band, and feeding people."

As he transitioned to his next assignment to Elmendorf Air Force Base, he trained an Airman 1st Class, new to the special duty, who later won the title of the best enlisted aide in Air Force Space Command in 2004. She was also the youngest and the most junior ranking Airman to achieve that title.

On his way to his current assignment here, after working at 11th Air Force, Sergeant Duclos polished his skills as an enlisted aide by training with the world-renowned Starkey International Certified Household Managers Course. He was number one of 51 graduates.

When Sergeant Duclos isn't busy managing the general's residence or behind the scenes coordinating his travel arrangements, he's hard at work as the PACAF functional manager for seven enlisted aides in the PACAF area of responsibility. He also improved the PACAF enlisted aide orientation training program, which caught the attention of general officers during a recent CORONA. The 10-day program, which incorporates creating a five-course meal for 12 people, impressed the Air Staff so much that it's currently being reviewed to be adapted as the standard Air Force-wide for enlisted aides.

To compete at the Defense Department level, Sergeant Duclos submitted his award nomination form, a recommendation letter signed by General Chandler and a 500-word essay on service as an enlisted aide. Additionally, he met a board, comprising of five enlisted aides from across the services, including a Navy admiral. The final step was a practical exam that tested Sergeant Duclos at setting a table as one would at a general officer's quarters, but according to a menu typically used at the White House.

"He always does an incredible job while keeping his cool," said Capt. Katie Cooper, Hickam protocol officer, who also worked with Sergeant Duclos at 11th Air Force. "He's very detail-oriented and every event gets the same attention. He never uses any shortcuts and everything is always to the best of his ability."

"The amount of dedication and commitment [Sergeant Duclos] puts into his job is a great reflection on not only the senior NCO corps, but the enlisted aides as well," added Tech. Sgt. Damon Vitale, junior enlisted aide to General Chandler. "His overall commitment is astounding."

"It's hard to believe that I'm being recognized at this level for something that I enjoy doing," said Sergeant Duclos. "I'm very passionate about culinary presentation, household management and sharing my experiences with other enlisted aides.

When asked what he finds rewarding about the job, Sergeant Duclos said, "Seeing those you train succeed, and to make them efficient and effective enlisted aides is the most rewarding part of the job.