T-flight: training the face of the base

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Almost no other image epitomizes dignity, honor and respect more poignantly than a folded American flag being presented to a grieving family member. For many, this image represents the final chapter of a life dedicated to country and countrymen. To ensure the execution of such ceremonies reflects the military's reverence of its fallen service members, ceremonial guardsmen are trusted to conduct these hallowed services.

For Team Dover's ceremonial guardsmen, proper training in the fundamentals of drill and ceremony is required before they can work outside the base. Incoming ceremonial guardsmen must complete a two-week training course, called training-flight or 'T-flight', during which they are taught the standards of appearance and drill.

"The purpose of training flight is to pound in attention to detail and military bearing. On the job, these Airmen cannot laugh or cry - they must be stone cold," said Staff Sgt. Eric Swanson, a ceremonial guardsmen flight leader with the 436th Force Support Squadron.

This goal is achieved by plunging new ceremonial guardsmen into a training environment much like basic training. Tests of bearing and physical training are all typical of the training-flight experience. The flight is run by senior members of the ceremonial guard, members like Senior Airman Jasmine Jones, the ceremonial guardsmen's head trainer.

"We tear them down and build them back up again like basic training did, [but this time], they are built up as ceremonial guardsmen," said Jones.

The days of training flight are filled with uniform inspections, drill practice, including drill with weapons, and activities aimed at building teamwork. One example is a modified version of hide-and-seek, in which a rock is placed in the training facility and must be located using only peripheral vision.

"The Airmen cannot turn their heads on the job to look for a hearse or a family member, so they are taught to use their peripheral vision here," said Swanson. "The rock is rough on one side, smooth on the other."

Like the rock, the training-flight's skills are eventually polished until they are fit to perform in the outside world. The result of the training is evident in the finely-pressed Airman Battle Uniforms, devoid of strings and pockets, white gloves and crisp drill movements displayed by the members of training-flight.

Once trained, ceremonial guardsmen participate in funerals, parades and color details throughout their term. The pace of their work depends on the ebb and flow of demand for their services. Their area of responsibility encompasses four states, 23 counties, more than 12,000 square miles and more than 20 million people. For many, they represent Team Dover and the Air Force as a whole.

"[The skills learned in] training-flight are so important because for many people, our ceremonial guardsmen are the last image of the military many family members will see," said Jones. "When we're doing a job, we expect nothing less than perfection."