Retiring Air Force District of Washington civilian put service first

Published Feb. 7, 2014
By Michael P. Kleiman
Air Force District of Washington

Joint Base Andrews, Md. -- After a 21-year federal government career, Christy Bickel looks forward to starting the next chapter of her life following retirement on February 22.

One constant accompanying her through similar transition periods has been a call to serve.

"I have found throughout my civil service and in life that what we have in common with others is greater than our differences," said Bickel, director of Ceremonies and Protocol, Air Force District of Washington. "My late husband, a retired Air Force officer, was my mentor, who brought me into the federal system through his work in the military, as well as demonstrated living selflessly and sacrificially."

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., she married her high school sweetheart and experienced life as a service member's spouse during the next 30 years with 17 of those residing overseas. Bickel initiated her federal employment at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 1987 as a dependent schools' liaison officer, a position she held for three years. She then took a six-year break from serving her country before reestablishing her federal government career as volunteer resource program manager with the Ramstein Family Support Center, Ramstein AB, Germany.

During her two-year stint at Ramstein AB, Bickel became one of the first Air Force civilians to earn trainer certification from the Army Family Team Building program, established following the Gulf War in the early 1990s to educate family members about the military culture, as well as provide life skill resources to enhance their self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Following a stateside move, she joined the 11th Wing Family Support Center, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., as a transition assistance specialist. That position title would foretell a major career change from serving the ranks of Airman Basic to Colonel and their spouses to primarily general officers.

"With the switch from working at the Family Support Center to Headquarters Air Staff Protocol, I transitioned from one helping position to another, albeit it was providing direct support for the Air Force Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force," said Bickel. "Following my husband's lead and advice, I am here to serve regardless of rank, stature or standing."

In June 2001, she returned to Bolling AFB to join the 11th Wing Ceremonies and Protocol office as deputy director, and two and a half years later, Bickel became the director. From November 2005 to April 2006, she worked as the special assistant to the CSAF, primarily coordinating travel for the service's leader and staff. For her final federal career assignment, Bickel headed only a few miles north on Interstate 95 to lead AFDW's Protocol section at Andrews AFB, Md. For almost eight years, she has led a 14-person staff involved with operating the Jacob E. Smart Conference Center at now Joint Base Andrews, administering a ceremonial flight at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, leading the visiting general officer program and supporting the AFDW commander.

"Our Protocol staff is always professional, proactive, positive, and people-oriented. Ms. Bickel has set a servant hood standard for her staff that we all should emulate," said Stuart Lemon, contractor (Teksouth Corp.), Commander's Action Group, AFDW. "She epitomizes the word service."

Like her previous job transitions, Bickel will continue to help people upon leaving government service through her protocol and etiquette consulting business.

"I am excited about the next adventures in my life, but reflect humbly (and proudly) about the past two-plus decades serving this great nation," said Bickel. "Wherever the journey leads, I will continue to serve."