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20th FSS Honor Guard trainers teach next rotation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Maldonado
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Preserving and respecting the legacy of service members, alive or deceased, is the primary role of any Honor Guardsman.

For Airmen assigned to the 20th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard, passing along this responsibility to the next rotation of Airmen is a task not taken lightly.

“To the families we support on- and off-base, we are the face of what the Air Force stands for,” said Senior Airman Andrew Verde, 20th FSS Honor Guard lead trainer. “So being able to train the next rotation on proper techniques and procedures will ensure that the best possible honors are provided.”

During their training, which lasts 12 to 14 days, recruits are expected to perform every ceremony they are likely to be tasked with during their three to six month tour.

“Throughout the training, candidates are trained on mostly 6-man funerals, 2 man-funerals, colors and firing party,” said Airman 1st Class William Tisdale, 20th FSS Honor Guard lead trainer. “A good amount of our detail consist of funerals, but we will also have some on-base promotion and retirement ceremonies.”

Tisdale went on to say following the trainings, recruits are evaluated periodically to ensure proper skills are being learned.

The evaluations are comprised of ceremonial procedures as well as personal dress and appearance checks in the form of a daily open ranks inspection.

Every day at 7:30 a.m. sharp, honor guard trainees file-in and are inspected by a group of trainers. The trainers are looking for any stray strings, proper grooming and all-around crisp uniform wear.

These open ranks inspections help give the troops a sense of pride when wearing not only the airman battle uniform, but also the ceremonial uniform acquired throughout the training, said Verde.

Upon conclusion of the 12-day training, trainees gain the title of honor guardsman following the oath of enlistment and the recital of the Honor Guard Charge.

The Honor Guard Charge, which epitomizes the concept of professionalism, traces its roots to the Airman’s Creed and the ideals of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

Upon recital of the charge, the new honor guardsmen carry the knowledge they gained during the 12-day training across to future ceremonies, taking the path of professionalism and leading the way for those soon to follow in their footsteps.