McChord Club manager retires after 43 years of service

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sean Tobin
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  After serving more than four decades in the Department of Defense, Wayne Bechard retired as the manager of the McChord Club in a ceremony here, Sept. 24.

Bechard, a native of Yakima, Wash., began his service in 1970 as an enlisted emergency room technician in the Air Force. He later retrained into the club management career field.

"I had schooling in hotel and restaurant management before coming into the military," said Bechard. "When I got to my first assignment at Hamilton Air Force Base in California, I got a job working part time in the Officers' Club."

When Bechard's co-workers at the club found out he had schooling in the hospitality business, they asked him why he did not go into the club management career field in the Air Force.

"I had no idea that it even existed," he said. "They told me, 'Yeah, it's an actual [Air Force Specialty Code]'."

In 1973, as a buck sergeant, Bechard left the medical field and began training in club management at Lowry AFB, Colo.

His first assignment in his new career field was at Neah Bay Radar Station, Wash., where he immediately became the club manager.

"At the time, the club wasn't making any money because it was being run by radar technicians as an additional duty," said Bechard. "So I was brought in to run it."

He said that he acquired quite a bit of experience from that assignment.

Bechard moved around to a couple other locations, eventually ending up at McChord AFB in 1978, where he would remain for the rest of his career.

However, ensuring he would be able to stay in his home state required a major career decision.

After serving 10 years on active duty, Bechard transitioned to the Air Force Reserves and began working again in the medical career field. He also continued to work at the McChord Club as a civilian, eventually working his way to the top management position.

He eventually retired from the Air Force in 2004 as a chief master sergeant, but continued working at the club.

Bechard holds a humble viewpoint on his role as the club manager.

"I might be the manager of the club, but I don't run the club," he said, referring to the nearly 30 employees that run the day-to-day operations. "No ifs, ands or buts about it, this place will continue to run like a clock when I leave."

Bechard said he plans to spend many hours volunteering at local hospitals and at the USO during his retirement.

"It's going to be tough going from working 60 hours per week to zero," he said. "I'll have to keep myself busy."

He said he also looks forward to travelling, and finally being able to take advantage of taking "hops" on military aircraft.

"I'll be retired, but you'll definitely continue to see me around the base," Bechard promised.