Mission
Emblem
Honor Creed
How to Join
Honor Guard Contract

Call 552-2252 for more information

Mission

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE HONOR GUARD
MISSION

Stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, the Honor Guard is an elite cadre of Ceremonial Guardsman. The mission of the Honor Guard is to represent the Air Force as “Ambassadors In Blue” in ceremonial functions in the Elmendorf and Anchorage communities, as well as the great state of Alaska.

Specific duties of the Honor Guard include:
Rendering military honors for Air Force personnel and their family members during funeral services at Fort Richardson National Cemetery

Change of Command/Retirement Ceremonies
(flag folding will be performed by volunteers, not the Honor Guard)

Color Guards for official receptions, and other state and military occasions in the Anchorage areas

Demonstrate the overwhelming aspects of teamwork, commitment, and discipline through various public appearances and speaking engagements throughout the community and at local schools

CORE VALUES: STRENGTH, DISCIPLINE, EXCELLENCE.

Creed

Handpicked to serve as a member of the Elmendorf Honor Guard, my standards of conduct and level of professionalism must be above reproach, for I represent all others in my service.

Others earned the right for me to wear the ceremonial uniform, one that is honored in rich tradition and history. I will honor their memory by wearing it properly and proudly.

Never will I allow my performance to be dictated by the type of ceremony, severity of the temperature, or size of the crowd. I will remain superbly conditioned to perfect all movement throughout every drill and ceremony.

Obligated by my oath I am constantly driven to excel by a deep devotion to duty and a strong sense of dedication.

Representing every member, past and present, of the United States Air Force, I vow to stand sharp, crisp, and motionless, for I am a ceremonial guardsman.

Our Emblem

Malcom Haines, former Superintendent of the USAF Honor Guard, was the first to design and draft the Honor Guard Emblem. Under the guidance of Capt. Marcel Mayer, former Commander, SrA Scott Stuart designed the final version of the emblem and it was approved on 4 October 1976. The emblem is composed of crossed M-1 rifles silhouetted over a silver gray Roman Helmet, complete with a scarlet red horsehair festoon, on a field of ultramarine blue with the attached organizational motto. The color of the lettering is ultramarine blue and the border is golden yellow. The Roman helmet is symbolic of the Praetorian Guard of the western world. The red festoon denotes courage and valor. The silver gray of the helmet proper is for excellence desired of the Honor Guard personnel. The crossed rifles denote the Honor Guard’s primary weapon. The ultramarine blue background symbolizes the primary theater of Air force operations; the sky and beyond. The attached motto, “to Honor With Dignity”, best represents the mission of the Honor Guard.

How to Join

ELIGIBILITY
Members of the Base Honor Guard are exceptional members of the Air Force. As such, they must exemplify the standards of customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and personal conduct. Specifically, applicants must not be on a control roster nor have a current UIF or Article 15. Additionally, applicants will not be accepted if on a profile or weight management program. Those individuals enrolled in CDC’s and/or is in upgrade training must weigh commitment against workload.  Members volunteer or are appointed at group level under the 3WG and tenant units, to fulfill our quota of 48 team members. Applicants must complete an application before attending a training class.

DUTIES
Members will be required to perform any duties within the scope of the EAFB Honor Guard.  Each new member will be placed in one of two rotational flights, A flight and B flight.  These flights are responsible for performing all approved honors requests.  The flights rotate two weeks on, two weeks off. Members in primary honors status will report to and perform at their primary duty section; however, flight members will be called upon to render all approved ceremonial requests.  Members not on primary honors duty will only be utilized in the event honors requests are unable to be supported solely by the on-duty flight.  During the member’s two weeks off, to the largest extent permissible, members will not render any ceremonial functions.

ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE
Once an individual is assigned to the team, it then becomes a mandatory military function. The team relies on precision and teamwork gained through practice. Therefore, continuous absences, except for TDY/Leave or formal training, will not be tolerated. All members are required to attend mandatory practices every Monday from 0730 to 1100.  If the member is unable to attend practices and/or details due to mission requirements or illness, the member’s supervisor must notify the NCOIC of the Honor Guard program in advance. Consecutive absences will not be tolerated and failure to show for a ceremonial function will result in a no show letter being forwarded to the member’s squadron commander and the squadron’s group level point of contact for the honor guard. Any other unauthorized absences will give cause to recommend termination. If a member is terminated prior to the completion of his/her 12-month commitment, the member’s group/squadron will be responsible for reimbursement of all items issued  (i.e. uniform items, garment bag), and all benefits will terminate. Changes in the individuals workload/manning that may conflict with attendance will be considered.  

LEAVE AND TDY’s
Members are required to notify the NCOIC, Base Honor Guard Program of all TDY’s, leaves, formal training, etc., and are required to submit one copy of leave authorization or TDY orders to the NCOIC before departing Elmendorf AFB. TDY in excess of 30 days will lengthen the member’s term of service by the total length of the TDY.