HOLLOMAN AFB STEEL TALONS HONOR GUARD APPLICATION To Honor with Dignity
STEEL TALONS HONOR GUARD APPLICATION AND TRAINING Thank you for your interest in the Holloman AFB Steel Talons Honor Guard! You are about to join one of the most professional organizations on base and walk the ranks among some of the finest Airman in the United States Air Force. Throughout your career there will be few tasks more rewarding than the rendering final military honors for a fellow Airmen. We applaud your interest and look forward to welcoming you to the Steel Talons! Couple of quick policy notes first: Wing policy prefers all applicants that are enrolled in the Career Development Course to complete all assigned course volumes prior to their Honor Guard Start date. An exemption letter may be submitted by the Squadron Commander. Before the start of training each applicant must coordinate with their supervisors regarding membership, and have an application signed by the supervisor, First Sergeant, and Commander. Prospective candidates are selected by their respective Groups. However, placement on the team is not automatic. All candidates must attend an initial month-long training beginning every March and June; please contact the NCOIC prior to ensure availability. Each trainee will have to attend all training days and pass an evaluation process. The first evaluation will be held following the first week of training. If the trainee completes their initial training month, they will be given their Honor Guard Cookie and their year-long commitment will begin from the date they passed their evaluation. The commitments provides a year of coverage, but the trainee actively serve six month in 90 day intervals. If the trainee fails their evaluation, applicants attending a training session will receive a second evaluation, if necessary, at the discretion of the NCOIC prior to the completion of the training class. A second failure will require the member to be returned to the unit for failing to meet minimum Honor Guard standards. The Group will then be required to send a replacement. The Honor Guard operates an alternating 90 day rotation system. Personnel are required to report to Bldg 25 during their flight rotation Monday-Friday from 0800-1700 for 90 days. The following 90 days are the standby period for emergencies. Personnel report to their duty sections during this period. Only in extreme cases will the standby flight be tasked to provide support performing military funerals. The Honor Guard has two flights. Honor Guard members perform Military Funeral Honors, military and civic events, flag-folding, and other ceremonies.. IAW AFI 34-501, 18 August 2015 training and practices are mandatory formations. Practices are required for the improvement and proficiency of all movements performed during any type of event the Honor Guard participates in. To be excused from a particular practice, a member must have their Chief or 1 st Sgt Email the Honor Guard prior to the practice at honor_guard@holloman.af.mil. INFORMATION FOR SUPERVISORS The Holloman AFB Honor Guard program is the overall responsibility of the 49 Fighter Wing Commander. The 49th Fighter Wing Commander has established an Honor Guard Operating Instruction (AFI 34-501, 18 August 2015). Compliance with this instruction is mandatory under the UCMJ. By law passed by Congress and the President of the United States in the National Defense Act of 2000, any and all Veterans, Retirees, and Active Duty members who have served honorably in the Military Services will be accorded military honors at the request of their family. It is by this act of law, Department of Defense Directive, Air Force Instruction, and the 49 Fighter Wing Commander, that the HG OIC/NCOIC of the Holloman AFB Honor Guard has the authority to direct any and all active Honor Guard members, as needed, to attend military funerals. This mission supersedes all military functions except real world preparations for war, to include Operational Readiness Inspections and Phase I and II exercises. References: National Defense Authorization Act of 2000, DoD 1300.15, and AFI 34-501 Your mission in the US Air Force is important, but the performance of Military Funeral Honors has been directed by the President, the Department of Defense, and the Secretary of the Air Force. Your cooperation and support is required and vital to the morale of your Honor Guard member as these Airmen represent the Air Force and your unit and perform services held in the highest regard by our national leaders. Thank you for your support of the Steel Talons mission!
APPLICATION FOR STEEL TALONS MEMBERSHIP SECTION I. Applicant's Personal Information Name Rank SSAN - - Squadron Office Symbol Duty Phone Address Cell Phone Home Phone Time on Station of Separation Tempo Band_ Shift of Birth Civilian Driver s License? YES NO GOV Vehicle License YES NO Do you currently have or anticipate reassignment or separation from the Air Force? YES NO If yes, what is your projected departure date from Holloman AFB? _ Do you have prior Honor Guard or Drill Team experience? YES NO If YES, what type and how long (JROTC, military school)? Are you willing to give up some personal time to perform details as necessary? YES NO Have you completed your Career Development Course volumes? YES NO (if marked NO you are not eligible to apply until you sercure written approval from your supervisor, first sergeant and commander). How did you first hear of the Steel Talons? Why do you wish to volunteer to be a member of the Steel Talons? What contributions do you think you can make to the Steel Talons? Please read this statement before signing. I understand that if accepted and upon successful graduation from training, I AM COMMITTED TO A SERVICE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR (SIX MONTH ACTIVE SERVICE AT ALTERNATING 90 DAY INTERVALS) with the Steel Talons Honor Guard and that I MUST PROVIDE ONE MONTHS NOTICE PRIOR TO TERMINATION OF MY SERVICE. I further understand that periods of deployment or TDY in excess of 30 days may extend that period as I am not available to fulfill my Honor Guard duties during that time. I understand that current or pending disciplinary actions may serve as cause for denial to join the Honor Guard and that disciplinary actions after I am a member will be justification for my suspension and/or removal from the team. Signature: : WHEN FILLED OUT, THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION SUBJECT TO THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
SECTION II: ENDORSEMENTS SUPERVISOR I highly recommend (name of applicant) for the HAFB Steel Talons Honor Guard. I feel that he/she will be an outstanding addition to the Steel Talons Honor Guard. I understand that if accepted this Airman commits to one-year of service on the Steel Talons, that Honor Guard details and practices are mandatory and I will support them in any way possible. I further understand that in accordance with DoD Directive 1300.15 and AFI 34-501, military funerals take precedence over all military functions except real world preparations for war and that this may entail the Airman being directed away from the work center, occasionally at short notice (Refer to Information for Supervisors, page 2). I certify that this applicant has no disciplinary actions pending, has excellent dress and appearance, good attitude and professionalism, and has my full support in joining the Steel Talons Honor Guard. Additional Comments: _ Supervisor s Signature _ Supervisor s Rank/Name (print) FLIGHT OR SECTION CHIEF I concur that this applicant presents a positive image, and is of good character. I recommend this individual for membership on the Steel Talons Honor Guard. I understand that the Airman is committed to one-year of service if accepted. I further understand that in accordance with DoD Directive 1300.15 and AFI 34-242, military funerals take precedence over all military functions except real world preparations for war and that this may entail the Airman being directed away from the work center, occasionally at short notice (Refer to Information for Supervisors, page 2). Additional comments. Flight/Section Chief s Signature Flight/Section Chief s Name (print)
FIRST SERGEANT I certify that (applicants name) has one-year retainability, presents a positive Air Force image, and has no disciplinary actions pending to include UIF or Control Roster. I have personally interviewed the candidate and conducted a quality review of their record. Incidents of substandard conduct and behavior will be forwarded to the Steel Talons Honor Guard, and I understand that the Steel Talons leadership will be the authority, with unit recommendation, to remove an Airman from the team or otherwise suspend their participation. I Concur/Non-concur with the supervisor s recommendation. Additional Comments: First Sergeant s Signature First Sergeant s Name (print)