EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The Eielson Honor Guard invited commanders and squadron leadership to participate in a job shadowing event Sept. 26 to provide leadership an in-person experience of the mission for which the Honor Guard trains.
“This event was about getting our leadership out to get a real feel of what we do on a daily basis,” said Airman 1st Class Alana Quirk, a 354th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment journeyman. “They often come out for the graduations and to support our troops, but to be involved in the process and to learn the actual steps gives them a different perspective.”
The Honor Guard demonstrated what a funeral detail looks like. The participating leadership was able to watch, and then put what they saw into practice.
“It’s always difficult to get a large group together and have it organized,” said Quirk. “The hardest part was figuring out how much detail to put in the instruction. In the short amount of time we had with them, we wanted it be as accurate as possible. It’s difficult when we practice so much and they only had 15 minutes at each station.”
The interaction between the members of the Honor Guard team and the leadership who joined them was something leadership said they won’t forget.
“Coming to this event gives me a whole new appreciation for the rich detail all of these Honor Guard experts put into their work,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Belle, the 354th OSS commander. “The culture of the Honor Guard and hearing them say their motto and their commitment to that motto; I thought it was just a marching club, but it’s so much more.”
Quirk said the program has grown tremendously in the 11 months she has been a part of it.
“I’m excited to see where we go from here,” said Quirk. “We have new members and a greater expectation of excellence. We strive to be the best we can be, and the best Honor Guard we can be.”
Even though the event brought challenges to both the Honor Guard and attending leadership, Quirk said this experience was important because when they go to the commanders of their units and try to recruit Airmen, they will know what the Honor Guard is about. They have a deeper understanding of what the Honor Guard trains for because they have walked in their shoes.
“Putting aside the concern for yourself and maintaining dignity to the task at hand was the most difficult thing for me,” said Belle. “Regardless, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”