AFMC base first to use new gate guards uniforms

Published May 26, 2009
By Airman Anthony Jennings
96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Civilian guards at Eglin Air Force base are the first to meet new uniform standards set by the Department of the Air Force Security Forces Center.

"Eglin is unique in this Air Force-wide initiative because we are the benchmark base," said Lt. Roger Main, DAF Security Forces.

In the past, Department of the Air Force guards were often mistaken for military members because they wore BDUs similar to traditional military. The new uniform is a standard law enforcement uniform that civilian police officers wear.

"Although the BDUs (battle dress uniforms) were a traditional and tested uniform, we're excited to have our civilian gate guards in a newer, polished and professional image," said Maj. Scott Foley, 96th Security Forces Squadron commander.

"The color might look black but it's actually a LAPD Blue," said Lieutenant Main, referring to the color matching that of Los Angeles police.

Currently, there are two sets of civilian gate guards, the DAF and the DAFSF guards. By 2010, all DAF guards will have transitioned under DAFSF.

DAFSF civilian guards are a part of the 96th SFS while the BDU wearing guards are still DAF employees.

The newly hired DAFSF civilian guards not only have a different look, they also have more advanced training and have undergone rigorous evaluations of mental and physical fitness, ensuring they are the best qualified. They also must have at least one year of law enforcement experience.

Eventually all transitioning DAF civilian guards will receive this training as well as the new uniforms.

"These aren't regular people guarding our base," said Lieutenant Main. "These are highly trained professionals who are selected from the most qualified."

The Veteran's Affairs Federal Law Enforcement Training Course in Little Rock, Ark., dispatched a mobile training unit here to train more than 30 of the new guards. The DAF gate guards are required to receive the new uniforms and Air Force training by 2010.

As part of the new changes and regulations, the newly hired DAFSF civilian gate guards will no longer render salutes all other uniformed personnel will.

Though the look of the DAFSF civilian guards has changed, their responsibilities haven't. The changes implemented to the Air Force's thin blue line ensures Eglin and the rest of the Air Force is protected.