Honor guard membership full of rewards, demands

  • Published
  • By Shawn J. Jones
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 514th Air Mobility Wing honor guard has openings for sharp Airmen to wear the Air Force ceremonial uniform.

Master Sgt. Leonard Werner, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the honor guard, is hoping to fill its ranks with motivated, self-confident Airmen who can serve with poise and professionalism during military ceremonies, funerals and community events.

"We want to project a certain image," he said. "The honor guard is supposed to be the best of the best."

Unlike their active-duty counterparts on the installation, the reservists have an all-volunteer honor guard.

"All the Airmen who are there want to be there," Werner said. "They want the camaraderie, they want to honor our heroes and our veterans and they want to represent the Air Force in front of thousands of people in New York City and at funerals with little or no attendance."

Keeping good Airmen in the honor guard is a challenge for Werner. He said honor guard members are usually held to higher standards, which often helps them land promotions faster than the average Airman. Werner said he has seen many good Airmen use honor guard service as a springboard for promotion and other career opportunities.
"It really does set you apart from others in your unit," he said.

The higher promotion rate of honor guard members comes with one challenging aspect. As Airmen rise through the ranks, they typically acquire more duties and responsibilities with their unit, reducing their availability to serve on honor guard details.

Werner said he doesn't want prospective members to join only for the career benefits.
"We want more quality people who want to be on the team and who have the availability and step up to be a part of it," he said. "It's not for everybody."

Werner interviews new members and tries to ensure they understand the standards and demands required of honor guard members.

"You have to be a sharp troop and take pride in yourself and pride in your military service," he said.

But that's not all.

New candidates must have a passing score on their most recent fitness assessment, and they must be ready to work at least three details per quarter.

During the interview, Werner said he doesn't sugar-coat the demands of honor guard service.

"There have been people who went through the interview process and said, 'Hey, this isn't for me.'"

Those who do join the team are encouraged to practice during their free time to become proficient in a variety of drills and ceremonies.

"There've been many times I asked my wife to hold the other end of the flag," said Werner.

Werner said the demands are balanced by the opportunities.

He said those Airmen who go above and beyond will be rewarded with the option to serve in higher-profile details such as parades and professional sporting events.
While Airmen volunteer to serve in the honor guard, they serve on paid military orders.
"We don't expect them to come out on their own time," Werner said.

The primary benefit of serving in the honor guard is the opportunity to take part in events that are very important to many people - retirement ceremonies, change of command ceremonies, public events and military funerals.

Funerals for past and present military members make up the bulk of the honor guard responsibilities. Military funerals are often emotional events, especially when friends and family members of the deceased openly display their grief. Honor guard members are charged with maintaining their poise in this setting and all other situations.

Some military funerals are lightly attended, and Werner said he's been to a funeral where no one, but the honor guard attended. When the funeral director informed the honor guard they didn't need to perform the ceremony because no one was coming, the honor guard did their duty anyway.

"This person served our country, so we're going to do our part as well," Werner said.

Airmen interested in joining the honor guard can 754-3487 for more information. Prospective members should discuss honor guard service with their supervisor and first sergeant.