Airman 1st Class Kristofer Gantenbein, Kadena Honor Guardsman from the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, practices a two-man flag fold with the aid of another guardsman at the Honor Guard building on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 17. Guardsmen typically practice Wednesdays and Saturdays for a few hours at a time to ensure they stay at their best. Members who try out for honor guard must first attend the two-week training course or T-flight every few months, where they learn a more in-depth sense of attention to detail, a stronger military bearing and how to stay sharp despite being the center of attention. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)
Kadena Honor Guardsmen stand at attention during an open ranks inspection preceding a memorial ceremony on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 22. There are key differences in the dress and appearance of guardsmen that’s easily distinguishable – silver piping on the legs and around the wrists, taps on the shoes, a “Base Honor Guard” patch just below the silver rope draped around the left shoulder, the Honor Guard badge and the blue “bus driver” cap bearing the Air Force insignia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)
Kadena Honor Guardsmen prepare to march down the aisle of Kadena's Chapel One and present the colors during a memorial ceremony Aug. 22. With the motto “To Honor with Dignity” emblazoned on their badges, the guardsmen represent a perfectly polished personification of the word “pristine” while they do just that, whether at the joyous occasion of a change of command or retiring chief master sergeant, or the more solemn events like a memorial or funeral for a fallen service member. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman)
by Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman
18th Wing Public Affairs
8/24/2011 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- From under the gleaming black visor of the Air Force insignia-encrusted uniform cap, he peers into the teary eyes of the woman sitting in the front pew of the chapel.
Though the air is thick with grief and all gazes are upon him, he doesn't break his instilled military bearing despite the strong desire to look away and recuperate in order to get through the next sentence.
As he offers the freshly folded and intricately inspected American flag to the now sobbing widow, he whispers words of respect and admiration for the fallen service member, then stands, gives a precisely timed three-second salute to the flag, and marches away.
It's in these situations that the Air Force Honor Guard is regrettably most known for, but the precision and unwavering professionalism they present in even the most tragic circumstances translates into their everyday lives in the Air Force as well.
"They hold themselves to a higher standard," said Master Sgt. Jerome Bridges, Kadena Honor Guard superintendent from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, about why he became a guardsman. "Their appearance is something that sets them apart from everyone else and their attitude is part of it, but the thing that attracts me to it is the structure and the attention to detail they use to make sure everything is on-point. I've always liked being crisp and sharp. I originally wanted to be part of honor guard because I'd seen some other members perform details, and I wanted to be a part of what they represented."
With the motto "To Honor with Dignity" emblazoned on their badges, the guardsmen represent a perfectly polished personification of the word "pristine" while they do just that, whether at the joyous occasion of a change of command or retiring chief master sergeant, or the more solemn events like a memorial or funeral for a fallen service member.
"It's not that they're better than other people, they just like to be involved in honoring other members of the military," Bridges said. "I like that I get a chance to be a part of giving honors to someone who has served. It could be a funeral or a retirement, but to me, it's extremely rewarding. Someone who's been in the military, whether for four or 30 years, definitely deserves recognition and I like to honor that."
Though it's a well-known fact being in the base honor guard gives Airmen a step up toward making rank, some find out that though they've joined strictly for the boost, being part of such a strict and much-devoted special duty changes them for the better.
"To be honest, I joined for the [enlisted performance review] bullet, but after time doing the job, the bullet didn't even matter," said Senior Airman Mark Williams, future KHG lead trainer from the 554th Red Horse Squadron Detachment 1 who has been a guardsman for around a year and four months. "I just love the job - getting out there, wearing the ceremonials. I wouldn't be who I am today if I wasn't in honor guard. It's all about the little things - everything adds up. I've learned a lot. I feel like honor guard should be mandatory, because as Airmen, we should all know [the things I've learned doing this]."
Williams said there are key differences in the dress and appearance of guardsmen that's easily distinguishable - silver piping on the legs and around the wrists, taps on the shoes, a "Base Honor Guard" patch just below the silver rope draped around the left shoulder, the Honor Guard badge and the blue "bus driver" cap bearing the Air Force insignia.
"It just looks good," he said with a laugh. "You don't just get the ceremonial uniform, though. You have to shadow at least three details (ceremonies) and witness how we do things. Being around other guardsmen, you definitely need to be on your 'P's and 'Q's because they're not the average Airmen - they're well above the average. They make you better because you want to be like them. Everyone's cool to work with. We all look up to each other and have high expectations."
Guardsmen typically practice Wednesdays and Saturdays for a few hours at a time to ensure they stay at their best. Members who try out for honor guard must first attend the two-week training course, or T-flight, every few months, where they learn a more in-depth sense of attention to detail, a stronger military bearing and how to stay sharp despite being the center of attention.
During the 32-hour course, Williams said it's apparent how Airmen grow professionally and personally.
"Just seeing them grow and take control is cool," Williams continued. "It's as if they walk, crawl, skip running and go straight into sprinting. I like seeing it."
