Special duty view: Ceremonial guardsmen at Dover AFB

Published June 7, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- In order to fill its unique mission requirements, the Air Force employs servicemembers in specialized positions to perform a specific duty. These special duties allow Airmen to step outside their conventional role and experience a completely new side of the Air Force.

One such position is the ceremonial guardsman, a position held by Tech. Sgt. Eric Bailey, Dover Air Force Base, Del., base honor guard noncommissioned officer in charge.

"The honor guard performs drills and ceremonies at internal and public events," said Sergeant Bailey. "Most importantly, they conduct military funeral honors to commemorate fallen Air Force members."

Sergeant Bailey has led the Dover AFB honor guard for more than two years, and oversees the transition from Airmen to ceremonial guardsmen.

"One of the first challenges ceremonial guardsmen face is switching from their shop's mindset to the honor guards," said Sergeant Bailey. "We have to bring new Airmen back to basics to prepare them for their responsibilities in the honor guard."

The daily activities ceremonial guardsmen perform alternates between preparation and execution. When not exercising, training, grooming their uniforms or traveling, they are carrying out ceremonies at venues ranging from parades to funerals. Their area of responsibility encompasses four states, 23 counties, more than 12,000 square miles and more than 20 million people. For many, they represent Team Dover and the Air Force as a whole.

Team Dover's ceremonial guardsmen are not able to serve as the 'face of the base' without proper training in the fundamentals of drill and ceremonies. Airmen who volunteer for four-month duty must complete a two-week training course, called 'training flight,' during which they are taught the new standards of appearance and drill they will be expected to conform to.

Before getting into the training flight, Airmen must be nominated by their squadrons and conduct interviews with their first sergeant and honor guard leadership.

"Training flight is geared towards refocusing Airmen on teamwork," said Sergeant Bailey. "Days in honor guard are never the same, but teamwork is always present."

Once trained, ceremonial guardsmen can expect to perform several funerals per week, and six - 10 color details throughout their term. Their work pace depends on the ebb and flow of demand for their services, said Sergeant Bailey.

"The work is both physically and emotionally draining, yet is the most rewarding job I've ever had," said Senior Airman Christopher Zubrick, 436th Maintenance Group munitions systems specialist. "The people we help bury are fathers, mothers, son and daughters. It's our duty to leave their family with an impression of the Air Force that honors the memories of their lost loved ones."

However, the job satisfaction is not the only boon to serving in the honor guard. Members are afforded free pool passes, games of bowling, and are eligible for honor guard awards and an Air Force Achievement Medal.

"This is a high visibility job, but we really only do the ceremony for one person: the hero in the casket," said Airman Zubrick.