MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Before meeting face-to-face with the NCO in charge, a young Airman slowly walked into the Honor Guard building, nervous to make a good first impression at a meeting that would decide his future.
When faced with the question of why he wanted to join the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard, a million different answers raced through his mind.
“I want to become part of an organization that is truly passionate about what it does,” said the eager Airman.
Immediately following their meeting, Airman 1st Class Alessio Johnson was enrolled in a two-week training course, where he would eventually graduate and earn the title of Ceremonial Guardsman.
Johnson was born and raised in small-town Pordenone, Italy, near Aviano AFB and graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany. Growing up around Air Force bases, the urge to join the United States Air Force developed early on for Johnson.
“Growing up in a whole different country surrounded by other Americans, you feel that sense of comradery,” he said. “That is one of the main reasons I wanted to join. No matter where I would go, I knew that I would be able to meet other people who share common interests.”
Being raised by a U.S. Navy veteran, Johnson discovered quickly during Basic Military Training that he had already experienced many military aspects throughout his life. However, working alongside other Airmen, he said he realized he was now, finally, part of the team.
“We all had to strive to complete the mission, no matter how big or how small it might be,” he said.
After completing technical training in his respective Air Force Specialty Code 3D0X3, Cyber Surety, Johnson was assigned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, where he has spent the entirety of his career in the 5th Communications Squadron. The day he completed his Career Development Course, Johnson called Tech. Sgt. Joshua Hull, the NCOIC of the base Honor Guard, to say he was interested in joining.
“Everyone joins the Honor Guard for their own personal reasons,” said Hull. “Several Airmen have had family members receive military funeral honors, which gives them the desire to give back. We have an amazing opportunity to represent every member, past and present.”
Which is the exact reasoning Johnson said he gave to why he wanted to be a guardsman.
“I wanted to honor the memory of each and every veteran, retiree and active duty Airman who passes away to the best of my ability,” Johnson said. “At the same time, I want to give the family an even greater sense of pride for their family member.”
Johnson, who recently surpassed his one-year anniversary with the base Honor Guard, was selected to attend a training course with the Air Force Honor Guard at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in the District of Colombia. Only 25 positions were open for guardsmen Air Force-wide, and Johnson was one of two selected from Air Force Global Strike Command.
The goal of the course was to teach Airmen from base programs to perform military funeral honors at the same standard held by the Air Force Honor Guard, Johnson explained. Airmen sharpened their skills in firing party, body bearing and colors team.
“We were constantly training how to perform in all aspects of a military funeral down to the finest detail because it’s that attention to detail that keeps all of us performing at the highest standard,” he said.
High standards are expected in details, as well as in dress and appearance.
Starting with string-free blues shirt and service coat and finishing with smudge-free shoes and ceremonial cap, Airmen are expected to uphold standards explained in the Honor Guard manual given to them early on in their Honor Guard career.
Impressions are important for Honor Guardsmen, whether they’re going in to meet their base NCOIC for the first time, or performing detail at a high-visual funeral, they always have to be flawless and precise.