A ‘Day’ to remember

Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do: The Air Force core values explain what it means to be part of the world’s greatest Air Force. Luckily, those values carry over to coworkers who don’t wear the uniform, our civilian counterparts. They are a key part to completing the mission, especially here at Cannon. One civilian will be leaving our Air Commando family after serving an accomplished career.

Janet Day, 27th Special Operations Wing secretary, will officially retire October 26, 2017, after 32 years of dedicated civil service to the Air Force.

Janet Day started her Air Force civilian career at Hahn Air Base, Germany, when she and her husband Brian Day, who retired from the Air Force in 1993 after 24 years, were stationed there in 1985. She was hired by the 6911th Electronic Security Squadron and worked there for three years before the couple and their family picked up everything to come to Cannon Air Force base in July 1988.

“I was hired by the Security Police Squadron, then the Civil Engineer Squadron and the Mission Support Group before finally settling into my current job at the wing building,” Day said.

It was 2002 when Day started her secretary job for the wing and since then she has directly aided nine different wing commanders in completing the base’s mission, whatever it was at that time.

“My favorite part of the job is being a team member and helping others succeed,” Day said. “It’s a good feeling knowing that in some small way, I help to get the mission done. The worst part is when coworkers have to move. But, we have life-long friends around the globe.”

Staying in one position for so long, one would see many faces come and go as that is the nature of the military workforce. However, Day expressed her gratitude toward the city she’s been a part of since the late 80’s and couldn’t see herself anywhere else.

“Clovis has enriched my life in many ways,” Day said. “I wouldn’t change one day of being here.”

Day’s last day of work is today but the base held a formal retirement ceremony for her on September 29, 2017, inviting family, friends and colleagues to celebrate her accomplished career. Many guest speakers highlighted her personality and shared personal stories embodying the hard worker Day was and the friendships she’s formed.

“Since 1999, Col. James Thomas, 27th Support Group commander at that time, continues to send me a card every year with a restaurant gift card in it,” Day said.

It’s those types of relationships she’s built over the years and the ones commanders and everyone she currently works with will miss when Day leaves. However, Day says even though the feeling of leaving is surreal, now is the time. She is ready.