Honoring others

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Honor Guard Airmen serve as the face of their base representing the Air Force community and its traditions to servicemembers, their families and civilians alike during times of joy and sorrow.

The Seymour Johnson Honor Guard has 44 assigned Airmen including a full-time trainer, ranging in rank from airman basic to technical sergeant from a variety of Air Force specialties.
The Honor Guard team conducts various duties seven days a week.

"We perform military honors for deceased active-duty, veterans and retirees," said Tech. Sgt. Stacey Hines, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Honor Guard non-commissioned officer in charge. "We also participate in many base ceremonies and community events such as change of command, award and recognition ceremonies."

Teaching a new team the ins-and-outs of their new duties can be challenging.

The team's success lies in their ability to work together as a team, said Staff Sgt. Hun Kim, Seymour Johnson AFB Honor Guard lead trainer. Training new Airmen to perform their duties can take anywhere from two weeks to two months.

Despite the challenges that must be overcome learning to work as a team, Hines feels the job provides many rewards.

"The most rewarding parts of my job is turning a good Airman into a great Airman, along with the invaluable leadership experience I gain from being their NCOIC," Hines said.

In addition to competing for awards like Honor Guardsman of the month, quarter or year, members create memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives while serving on the team.

"There was one retiree funeral where the family could not afford much," Kim said. "They chose to have the remains cremated and have the service at their home. When we arrived, we found out they had no flag to fold and present to the next of kin. After we performed what honors we could, we drove about an hour to the nearest Wal-Mart and purchased a flag. Although it was not the proper flag, we felt it was still better than nothing. We returned and presented it to the next of kin."

The team then informed the family of the proper procedures for obtaining an interment flag, providing the base address for it to be sent for proper folding.

"I love the fact that I have the ability to impact so many people in a positive way, and help the healing process of families coping with their loss," Kim said.


Each May, squadron leadership nominates Airmen from their unit for the base Honor Guard through a fair-share tasking distributed to units across the base. Anyone interested in volunteering to fill a tasking should contact their first sergeant or supervisor.

The decision to serve on the Honor Guard is not one that should be made on a whim, Hines said. The tour lasts a year. During that time Airmen serve in rotations of three months on and three months in their normal duty section.

Not just any Airman can become a member of the team.

"Airmen who volunteer should be highly motivated, posses all three Air Force Core Values and demonstrate excellence within their specialties," Hines said.

For an Airmen to become a member of the team they must have their leadership's endorsement, Hines said. In addition, they must have a government driver's license and travel card. They must be in compliance with the Fit to Fight program and they may not be on a profile, pregnant or have had a record of disciplinary actions or an unfavorable information file within the last two years.

In addition, during their tour they are not allowed to go on temporary duty assignments, attend professional military education or take leave during their months of Honor Guard service.

For more information about the base Honor Guard program, call 722-7019.