Photo By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson | The Manas Air Base Honor Guard practices precision movements in the armory at Manas...... read more read more
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan — Their straight forward eyes are unmoving. Each step is made with precision and conditioned discipline, no matter the elements, no matter the audience size.
Practice, and more practice, keeps the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing volunteer Manas Honor Guard members up to the necessary perfection needed to carry out their details at time-honored events and ceremonies.
"I like the fact that I am a part of an elite team of proud individuals who are motivated and dedicated to being the best at what they do," said Airman 1st Class Dwain Douglas, who is assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.
"The most challenging thing was just getting started, practicing all the movements and making sure I executed all the movements properly while paying close attention to my trainers," he said.
"We know we've done a good job when after a detail everyone comes up to you and says what a great job we did and how sharp we looked," said Airman Douglas, who is deployed from the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
"We are one honor guard team, and always stay superbly conditioned to perform any ceremony, so at anytime at the drop of a dime, any member of the honor guard team is ready to perform at any ceremony," said Airman Douglas.
Practices and performances take much dedication considering the members work six days per week, 12 or more hours a shift, with some working nights. But, for the members of the base honor guard here, the time needed wasn't a factor or concern when they decided to join this elite group. The 22 people, including four trainers, an Non-commissioned officer-in charge and an officer-in charge, make up the Manas team.
"When people come into Honor Guard with prior experience, they sometimes have to learn a new way of doing things, because the Honor Guard Manual changes every year," said Senior Airman Tracy Watson, who is assigned to the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.
"When I joined the Manas AB Honor Guard, I had prior experience, so I can understand the growing pains of re-learning processes and also the fear of the unknown felt by those who have never done it before," said the Airman deployed from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.
"The easy part is learning the movements," said Airman Watson. "The challenging part is executing them precisely on time, with sharp, crisp movements, all while remaining motionless and maintaining bearing."
"The biggest challenge is getting to the point where the OIC says you are ready to perform your first detail as an 'honor guardsman,'" she said. "The first time, you are nervous, antsy, excited, worried and there are about a million things running through your head; but once you're through it, you feel amazing and are ready to meet the challenge of learning the next type of ceremony or procedure."
"It is humbling to see a team perform in a ceremony, executing all the movements crisply with precision and confidence, especially after training for hours to get movements down and working through the frustration or relearning what they were fundamentally taught in Basic Training. It is by far the most rewarding feature of Honor Guard; to watch people we train go through the learning process and grow into dedicated ceremonial guardsmen. I can't stop smiling after each ceremony we perform," said Airman Watson.
Not having previous experience in a base honor guard doesn't stop anyone from joining the Manas Honor Guard. With much practice and shared personal time, the team always seems to come together as if they've been presenting colors and executing honor services for years.
"Prior to this deployment I never had any honor guard experience," said Airman 1st Class Brittany Krupa, assigned to the 376th ECES. "I have always thought about joining back home, but never did. I figured ... I would give it a shot. I did, and it has proven to be an immensely rewarding experience," said Airman Krupa, who is deployed from 27th Special Operations Wing's CES at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
"The most challenging part of becoming an honor guard member was those first few practices when I was strictly learning the movements. Coming into it with absolutely no experience was a bit frustrating and intimidating," said Airman Krupa. "With a lot of hard work and dedication, I learned how to execute all procedures properly and have attained the title as a trainer."
"We work hard during practices and ceremonies, but also have a lot of fun," she said. "I have enjoyed every part of it from the first day I joined, when I did not know anything, to now, where I get to train new individuals or participate in a ceremony," said Airman Krupa.
"Here at Manas we deal mainly with colors ceremonies and practice the Fallen Warrior ceremony," she said. "Aside from drill movements, the honor guard instills a sense of pride for the United States in learning how to properly render courtesies to our American flag as well as all American military members, past and present," said Airman Krupa.
"The most rewarding part of being in the Manas Honor Guard happens during each and every ceremony. The feeling that occurs each time that we stand in front of a crowd and pay respect to our American flag is priceless. It is an adrenaline rush of pride-filled honor," said Airman Krupa.
Keeping continuity in a deployed location can be a challenge in itself, so to ease the frequent transitions of replacing honor guard members — a traditional and expeditionary necessity — an officer is appointed to be in charge as an additional duty.
"Unlike these guys who sought the opportunity to be a part of the base honor guard, my position as officer-in-charge came inherent with being the force support deputy commander," said Capt. Sean Brazel, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron deputy commander.
"These guys bring their 'A' game every day and my personal goal is to not be the weak link in the chain. If I can ensure they receive proper training, have the required uniform items and are organized and prepared for each event, they take care of the hard stuff," he said.
"Each member volunteered to take the honor guard responsibilities in addition to managing their day-to-day job. They show up for practice and they volunteer to take part in the formations. At no point in time have I ever had to direct someone to fill a vacant position. That's inspiring when you consider that many of them work night shift. To volunteer for an afternoon ceremony for them is like a day shifter getting up at midnight," he said.
"Although I didn't volunteer for it, I know that when I leave Manas, the position as honor guard OIC and my association with these young men and women will be one of the most rewarding experiences of my deployment," said Captain Brazel, who is deployed from the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2009 06:56 |
| Story ID: | 34771 |
| Location: | MANAS AIR BASE, KG |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 124 |
This work, Manas Honor Guard members devoted to tradition, upholding dignity, by TSgt Phyllis Hanson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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