Sharp, professional Airmen needed to join base’s elite honor guard

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall proves every day that it has plenty of sharp Airmen.

One way the base can showcase its sharp Airmen, and so those same Airmen can show the world what they are capable of, is by serving on the Team Mildenhall Honor Guard - which just happens to be looking for new members.

For those who joined the Air Force to serve their country, performing this additional duty is a way of doing just that - representing RAF Mildenhall, the Air Force and the United States.

"The satisfaction of honoring a retiree or helping a family lay one of our own to rest with dignity and honor is both powerful and rewarding," said Tech. Sgt. Grange S. Coffin IV, 488th Intelligence Squadron and Team Mildenhall Honor Guard Silver Flight sergeant.

"Leadership and self-improvement opportunities on the honor guard team are endless. At a minimum, every guardsman leaves with a richer understanding of Air Force heritage and ceremony, and a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by veterans of all branches of service," he said.

Sergeant Coffin added that the details performed both in the local area, and around the United Kingdom, leave a lasting impression and help ensure the U.S. Air Force continues to form bonds between the British community and military members.

During 2009, the base honor guard performed more than 150 details, both on base and in the local community. Those include Madingly Cemetary memorial ceremony, Tops in Blue, POW/MIA Week and numerous remembrance ceremonies.

Both officers and enlisted can join said 2nd Lt. Joshua Bohnert, 100th Communications, and assistant officer-in-charge to the base honor guard.

Lieutenant Bohnert, from Cape Girardeau, Mo., and has been on the team for almost 14 months.

"I was heavily involved in the honor guard at my ROTC detachment, and had a great time presenting the colors for ball games and our own small ceremonies," he said. "When I arrived here, I heard that the (base team) was looking for people, so I decided to give it a try, and I've never regretted it."

He explained that as an officer, he gets to experience leadership in a very hands-on way, and gets to lead a well-trained, motivated group of individuals in performing a specific mission with real impact on people's lives.

"I get a large sense of pride and satisfaction from being in the honor guard," the lieutenant said, "not only from the people who see us perform, but also from the Airmen who get the experience of being on the guard."

He added that he feels it takes a certain type of person to represent the honor guard.

"The most important quality is discipline," said Lieutenant Buhnert. "Our training is very intense - taking an average of six weeks, and sometimes much longer. You have to have the discipline and drive to practice on your own, to make every move perfect."

Being a part of this group brings its own memories.

"The most memorable detail I did was a remembrance ceremony held at the Norfolk Gliding Club at Tibenham," Lieutenant Bohnert said. "It just so happened that I was the only guard member able to go, and I presented a flag on behalf of RAF Mildenhall to the club, in honor of the 445th Bombardment Group, a World War II unit based out of the airfield currently used by the club.

"The ceremony was very simple, yet one of the most touching I've ever experienced," he added. "It was in honor of the Kassel Mission - a mission where only four out of 35 planes returned home. If I'd never joined the honor guard here, I would never have had the chance to learn about those amazing Airmen."

The 100th CS officer said he highly recommends that both officers and enlisted take the opportunity to join the Team Mildenhall Honor Guard.

"Besides the chance to volunteer, and the leadership experience available, you get the chance to travel across the U.K. and learn more about British culture.

"We need Airmen in the guard to be the guardsmen and go out and represent the U.S. Air Force - but we also need officers and NCOs to manage and make sure the guard gets the attention it needs," said Lieutenant Bohnert. "It's easy to take a good honor guard for granted on a base, but people don't realize the time and effort it takes to get a team to the level of proficiency we have on RAF Mildenhall."

How to join

Anyone wanting to be a part of Team Mildenhall's honor guard must fill out a few forms, giving a few personal details and stating the reasons for wishing to join. Permission must also be granted from unit first sergeants and commanders before applying to become part of the elite team.

A memorandum of understanding must also be signed, acknowledging that a professional appearance will be maintained and that the member will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Dress and appearance standards must be adhered to at all times, according to regulations.

Full training is given, and applicants must attend all training sessions, meetings and details. According to the memorandum of understanding, official honor guard duty, including training, takes precedence over normal military duties (including training or routine appointments), and failure to attend any honor guard function could result in removal from the honor guard.

Potential applicants should also be aware that honor guard members are on call for two weeks at a time, each month. All members must provide 12 months of (consecutive) creditable service.

The much-coveted honor guard uniform and necessary items are provided at no cost to the member.

For those who have what it takes to be a part of this elite team, call Sergeant Coffin at DSN 238-2118, or e-mail him at grange.coffin@mildenhall.af.mil.