Protocol civilian retires, serves 25 years here

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As Eglin celebrates its 75th anniversary, leadership took some time to honor the contributions of one civilian who was here a third of that time span.

On May 29, Dave Miller, Air Armament Center deputy chief of Protocol will retire and receive the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award in recognition of his distinguished service as a federal employee that started here May 20, 1991. Prior to that, Mr. Miller retired as a senior master sergeant from the same office where his last six of 29 military years were spent.

"I had the pleasure of working with him the last eight of those years," said Vicki Jones, chief of AAC Protocol. "Mr. Miller tirelessly contributed to a team of round-the-clock-protocol support, decade after decade. From meeting aircraft with dignitaries on the flight line in the early wee hours to planning and directing social functions into the late evening, Dave has always upheld the rules of decorum for tasks small and large with professionalism and enthusiasm."

In his award package it said Mr. Miller consulted on protocol matters to 11 Eglin center commanders, charged with leading the world's largest Air Force installation and also one of the most visited in the Department of Defense.

"I enjoy what I do; there's a great deal of satisfaction doing what I have to do to take care of people," said Mr. Miller about his career. "That's what it boils down to."

Tending to Eglin Airmen, civilians and family members at large was always top on his list, but one particular event was the most memorable, most challenging and most rewarding. It happened when Mr. Miller had 24 hours to organize a memorial service for 12 fallen Airmen from the 33rd Fighter Wing, who were killed when the Kohbar Towers were bombed at Dhahran Air Base, Saudi Arabia in June 1996.

"It was very moving--I'll never forget it," the protocol specialist said. "The commraderie of the 33rd FW made me feel like a member (of their organization). We turned King Hangar into a make-shift church service for 5,500 people."

Mr. Miller managed assigned seating for worldwide senior leaders, including then-President Bill Clinton, a multitude of dignitaries, and members of Congress.

"I lived, ate and slept protocol all this time," said Mr. Miller on his career philosophy of service before self. "Now it's time to concentrate more on my family and enjoy the sense of freedom to do what my family and I want to do when we want to without working around events."

Protocol events range from commanders' receptions, dedications, promotions, award ceremonies, groundbreakings, change of commands, retirements, farewell parties, distinguished visitor socials and other such activities. Mr. Miller's duties included planning, directing and providing guidance for all protocol matters connected with major base events and visits by distinguished persons such as general officers, civilian equivalents, U.S. government and foreign dignitaries.

"He is the subject matter expert," said Ms. Jones.

At any given time, Mr. Miller supervised seven personnel and any military reservists, civilian assistants or others who volunteered to help with big events.

"VIPs are becoming more and more aware of Eglin's capabilities," said Mr. Miller who can't believe how high-tech the Air Force has become since he enlisted in 1962. "Even when I started here I had no idea what technology existed until I started escorting visitors around base and sitting in on briefings."

During a T-38 incentive flight upon his military retirement here in February 1991, he said he really got the big picture.

"I looked at the whole Eglin reservation (from above) and saw stuff I didn't realize was here," said Mr. Miller. "It's unbelievable how different parts of the range are designed for different types of tests. The infrastructure is phenomenal."

Mr. Miller served his country for almost five decades, beginning in 1962 as an enlisted administrative apprentice with two tours to Vietnam, an assignment in a flying squadron orderly room at MacDill AFB, Fla., and recruiting duty in Macon, Ga., before inventing the first protocol office at Peterson AFB, Colo., in 1976.

"Not a whole lot of people spend 30 to 40 years in protocol," he said. "It just happened."

In between his trip to the war zone, Mr. Miller just happened to meet his bride, Carmen, of 44 years in Atlanta, Ga., while visiting his mother and it was her decision at the end of his recruiting assignment to go somewhere different. An opportunity at 21st Air Force, Colo., sounded good. But when they got there, the unit happened to be deactivating so upon his appointment to personnel it so happened to be the day after General "Chappie" James landed late night with no one to greet him but a Maytag transit truck.

From then on, the first black four star general in the Air Force wanted to be sure someone was there to greet any dignitary on the flightline when he returned back to the airfield near his headquarters in Colorado Springs. Jobless, Mr. Miller happened to be the candidate sent to a brief and ever-impressionable interview, landing him, then staff sergeant, a spot in the initial three man protocol team.

"He had more polish about him and was a more dedicated American than anyone I've seen in my life," he recalled about the moment that still amazes him. "All sorts of people visited his retirement at the U.S. Air Force Academy including celebrities like Sammy Davis, Jr. I was right there with the role of helping put it all together."

In between starting that first office and serving at Eglin's Protocol, Mr. Miller was assigned at Warner Robins AFB, Ga., following the lead of Gen. James' vice commander, and at Pacific Air Forces, Hawaii, after he happened to tell their chief the island would be a neat place to live.

The adventures and opportunities were not something the "country boy" from Loris, S.C., would expect his life would become but he knew to do something other than field tobacco, he'd have to join the service.

"I've always had a special allegiance to the military, loved people and never had any hang ups about waiting on them," said Mr. Miller.

As a junior high school student in Camden Military Academy, S.C., and a Civil Air Patrol member, the protocol specialist became fond of flying and of the Air Force. His grandfather was a WWII wounded warrior and two of his uncles were commissioned. These men had great influence on Mr. Miller, who unfortunately lost his father at a young age.

Leadership from the Air Armament Center and Eglin mission partners plus civic leaders from the five major surrounding communities; the greater Air Force and those members from the various nations served worldwide are expected to attend Mr. Miller's retirement ceremony May 29.

Fittingly, the event will be held at Eglin's West Gate Chapel where Mr. Miller has been worshipping for decades.