Minot Airman selected for AF-level Honor Guard duty

  • Published
  • By Kiley Swopes
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  For the past four years, Staff Sgt. Darren Tunnell, 705th Munitions Squadron weapons support shift supervisor, has been part of the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard. As the end of his enlistment neared, he began searching for a change and that is how he discovered the duty of being an Air Force-level Honor Guard.

In a turn of events for him he recently found out he was selected for the special duty.

"I was on leave when my commander called me personally," said Tunnell. "I was ecstatic."

The Honor Guard is a distinct group of hand-picked Air Force personnel whose full-time job is to serve as ceremonial guardsmen.

Some ceremonies covered by the Honor Guard include military funerals, parades, retirements and award ceremonies.

"The ceremonies that have had the most impact on me are the funerals details," Tunnell said. "We carry a casket a hundred yards in the freezing cold for them. We sacrifice for them but they have sacrificed for us."

To be chosen as a face that represents the United States Air Force through the Honor Guard program is a memorable and rewarding assignment. Airmen are selected based on their precise drill movements, exquisite uniform appearance and their overall attention to detail.

Tunnell's first attempt at the selection process consisted of completing the United States Air Force Honor Guard enlisted application and being cleared both medically and physically. Applicants must be willing to relocate, have 20/20 vision, be able to lift at least 40 pounds, have the ability to speak clearly, and males must have the desired height of five feet 10 inches while females must be five feet six inches tall.

Out of the hundreds applicants who applied for the Air Force Honor Guard, Tunnell was one of the few selected.

"I believe the prestigious position that I have been chosen for will better me as an Airmen and an NCO, as well as allow me to serve my country in a different way," Tunnell said. "I feel proud and humbled that I have chosen to work alongside Airmen of such caliber and a special mission."

Tunnell will receive a permanent change of station to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington for eight-weeks of rigorous training to learn the finest details for drills and ceremonies.

"[Minot] was my first duty station, my first honor guard, and I handed off my first flag here," Tunnell said. "I can't really pin-point what I will miss about it, but I will miss it. I am excited about Arlington and I can't wait to serve there."