180th Fighter Wing’s 2019 Honor Guard Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Nathan Cousino

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kregg York | Staff Sgt. Nathan Cousino is the 180th Fighter Wing Honor Guard Member of the Year for 2019. Honor Guard Member of the Year recognizes the base-level honor guard member who has made the most significant contribution to the military honors and ceremony programs at the 180FW. Honor guard members represent the Air National Guard to the American public and the world. They are a picture-perfect example of individuals who are highly motivated, maintain exceptionally high standards of conduct and exude pride in all they do. It requires long hours, extra time away from home and additional training outside of their normal job-specific duties.  

SWANTON, OH, UNITED STATES

01.12.2020

Story by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker 

180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard

Assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing’s Force Support Squadron as a dining services specialist, Cousino, is responsible for assisting the food services team in preparing meals for more than 1,000 Airmen, as well as assisting in the wing’s physical fitness program.

Not only is he a dedicated member to his squadron, since 2012 Cousino has also been a key member of the wing’s honor guard team, where he is responsible for representing the 180FW, Ohio National Guard and Air Force at community events throughout the state. Cousino enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2008 as an F-16 fighter jet maintenance technician before retraining into the Chaplain’s Corps as a Chaplains assistant in 2012, then into the Force Support Squadron in 2018. Committed to upholding Air Force Core Values, Cousino is continuing his military training in his new role within the Force Support Squadron, while simultaneously pursuing an undergraduate degree in religious studies. As he continues reaching toward his educational goals, Cousino still finds time to volunteer with the 180FW Color and Honor Guard teams. In 2019, Cousino dedicated more than 50 hours, supporting 25% of the teams community events, while also assuming the position of noncommissioned officer in charge of several funeral ceremonies and providing training to new members of the team, enabling them to continue fostering patriotism, Esprit de Corps and honor America’s fallen service members. In his spare time, Cousino is committed to supporting his community, hosting an event for the American Cancer Society, raising more than $1,000 for cancer research, and speaking at various community events, instilling patriotism throughout the state of Ohio.

Honor Guard Member of the Year recognizes the base-level honor guard member who has made the most significant contribution to the military honors and ceremony programs at the 180th Fighter Wing. Honor guard members represent the Air National Guard to the American public and the world. They are a picture-perfect example of individuals who are highly motivated, maintain exceptionally high standards of conduct and exude pride in all they do. It requires long hours, extra time away from home and additional training outside of their normal job-specific duties.

• Date Taken: 01.12.2020
• Date Posted: 01.13.2020 08:56
• Story ID: 358838
• Location: SWANTON, OH, US