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Shogun - Honor Guard

Staff Sgt. Christopher Corbine, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron, thoroughly inspects Senior Airman James Balajadia, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, ceremonial uniform and takes note of any discrepancies during an open ranks inspection Feb. 6. Both Sergeant Corbine and Airman Balajadia are part of the Kadena Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin)

Shogun - Honor Guard

Staff Sgt. Dallas Hall Jr., Det 1, 554th Red Horse Squadron, trains Senior Airman Joshua Janove, 390th Intelligence Squadron, Senior Airman James Sidebottom, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, and Senior Airman Darius Ellis, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the full dress sequence for retirement and funeral ceremonies Feb. 2. Sergeant Hall, Airmen Janove, Sidebottom, and Ellis are all part of the Kadena Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin)

Shogun - Honor Guard

Senior Airman James Sidebottom, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Airman 1st Class Bryan Ulloa, 18th Services Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Henry Kirscht, 18th Munitions Squadron, practice the full dress sequence for retirement and funeral ceremonies, Feb. 2. Airmen Sidebottom, Ulloa, and Kirscht are all part of the Kadena Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin)

Honor Guard; Not just an extra duty, it's a lifestyle

Published Feb. 25, 2008
By Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- TEN-HUT! Prepare for inspection! The entire honor guard flight moves as one with fluid precision. Standing motionless, every inch of their uniforms are scrutinized, their knowledge of drill and ceremonies tested. Some know only of these few elite Airmen as having an extra duty to perform, but they know it to be an honor, a tradition, a lifestyle.

The desire to be a better Airman and to be someone for others to emulate, is the biggest incentive to being in the honor guard, said Staff Sgt. Dallas Hall, 554th Red Horse Squadron and lead trainer for the Kadena Air Base Honor Guard.

"Being in the honor guard is all about excellence," said Sergeant Hall. "It's the desire to reach your full potential, while pushing other service members to be their best. Taking just the customs and courtesies you learn in honor guard and using it in the work centers has a profound effect on others that see you."

More than 30 Airmen make up the honor guard team and a couple of times a week they meet to go over essential skills needed for ceremonies, knowledge of procedures, and proper wear of uniforms. True dedication to the honor guard code mandates perfection in all its members.

Perfection doesn't happen overnight. It takes hours of practice and study as well as a commitment to becoming part of a cohesive unit and less of an individual.

"We practice every Wednesday for two hours, but we also offer optional Saturday training," said Sergeant Hall. "Every chance we get, we train and rehearse."

Not everyone is honor guard material, though, and prospective members must undergo an intense three-week training course, which tests everything from physical performance to mental strength.

"From day one you're tested," said Airman 1st Class Amabely Bates, 18th Aerospace Medical Squadron and the Honor Guards' newest member. "There were no freebies, no second chances, no mistakes. Everything you do and say is under strict observation."
Airman Bates was excited after successfully completing the training and eager to begin her duties as a full fledged member of the honor guard.
"I felt great pride in what we had accomplished together," she said. "I am looking forward to learning more from my team."

Selection of new members is limited to two or three times a year, and while previous honor guard experience can help, there are no restrictions for service members to join.
"This can be a full-time job or that extra duty to go onto your enlisted or officer performance report," said Sergeant Hall. "But one thing is certain for all that make it among the ranks of the honor guard -- it changes your life forever and becomes the lifestyle you promote throughout your career."