Recognizing Our Finest: Tech. Sgt. Scott Marchant

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. --  An avid rugby player and fitness enthusiast, Tech. Sgt. Scott Marchant assumed the role of wing historian at the 459th Air Refueling Wing this past spring and has been engaging his role as historian with the same intensity that he applies to rugby and fitness.

What are your duties as the Wing Historian?
My duties include writing periodic histories, answering historical information requests, and keeping senior leadership informed on the USAF History and Museum Program. Historians are responsible for creating the only permanent record of a unit's activities. This information informs leadership and the American people of how the resources entrusted to the military are used to defend the nation.

Why did you want to be the Wing Historian?
I like history; I think "historian" is an appropriate title, official or unofficial, for anyone that appreciates history enough to study and share their interest with others; fortunately for me it is also my official title. Unfortunately, the bulk of my job entails documentation, whereas I prefer simply studying history. One of my favorite people to study, Winston Churchill, once told a young aspiring politician to "...study history, study history; therein lie all the secrets to statesmanship!" I think everyone in the world today could perhaps make more educated decisions if they would first study a little history.

What do you see as top priority in the historian position?
My top priority is to bring the wing's history program current by gathering the necessary information to write and submit any overdue reports without falling behind on recording the wing's upcoming 2009 report.

Why is the job as historian important?
I have a unique passion for my role as the historian because I have the opportunity to promote institutional heritage and awareness of air and space power within the Air Force. Many Air Force members are unaware of their rich heritage. In contrast, It would be hard to find a Sailor that couldn't tell me about the Battle of Midway; I would find it difficult to find a Marine that couldn't tell me the story of the US Marine Corps at Belleau Wood or tell me when the Marine Corps' birthday is. The US Air Force just had another birthday this past September 18th, which seemed to go largely unnoticed by most. Our Air Force has a lot to be proud of too, and if I can show that to at least ten or twenty people that had not previously known an appreciation for their service, then I would be happy.

Do you have any additional duties?
I am the Unit Fitness Program Manager (UFPM) for the wing and for the wing staff. I think everyone has a reason for going to the gym; my primary reason is Rugby. Rugby matches are a solid 80 minutes of near non-stop running. When I am in shape for rugby, I am usually also in shape to score well on the Fitness Assessment. One of the requirements for being a UFPM is that you maintain a fitness level of Good or Excellent, so playing rugby does help my score.

Where do you play Rugby?
Currently I play for two teams, the Baltimore-Chesapeake and the All Air Force rugby teams. I've been playing for Baltimore since 2005, typically as the Lock or Flanker. The All Air Force team is sponsored by the Air Force Services Agency and all components, active duty, Guard, Reserve, officer, and enlisted, can apply to be selected to play for the team in the Armed Forces Rugby Championship held every Fall. 

Sergeant Marchant joined the 459th ARW in September 2004 under the Palace Front program, which allows active duty Air Force members to transition into a part-time military position with the Air Force Reserve. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he recived his Bachelor's degree in Business.