OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- When Tech. Sgt. Raymond Santiago, 55th Security Forces Squadron flight chief and prior military training instructor, asked me to shadow defenders at the gate, I couldn’t say no – not because I was excited about it, but because I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t up for it.
His goal was for me to see processes first-hand, so l could accurately produce security forces stories and videos on hot button topics. What I got was much more.
I arrived slightly before my report time of 6 a.m. well prepared for the 11 degree high. Wearing undergarments, two pairs of knee high socks, top and bottom thermal pants and top, a tan t-shirt, my uniform, boots, a fleece, a cold-weather jacket, gloves and a hat, I cautiously crossed the five lanes from the side parking lot to the main guard shack.
Looking completely out of my element, I was greeted by an Airman and Sailor who had no idea why I was there, but were overwhelmingly friendly hosts none-the-less. In the time it took me to think “there is no way they are going to be this chipper after the morning rush,” Santiago had arrived.
As he introduced me to the basics, more defenders slowly trickled in to ramp up for a.m. traffic – it was all hands on deck with a team ranging from an Air Force captain to the brand new Airman 1st class looking almost as lost as I felt. I followed Santiago to the front position of lane three where I was ecstatic to see we would be by the heater, unlike the person in the back.
As Santiago taught me how to check IDs and registrations, there were a couple things I learned very quickly – the heater only heats your mid-section, not your face or feet, and our defenders take a lot of pride in their job. It crossed my mind that Santiago might be putting on a show for me, so I made my way around to talk to other guards and watched them interacting with people, sometimes without them knowing. My opinion was reaffirmed time and time again.
It was like they had carefully taken into consideration that they may be the first face you see in the morning, setting the tone for the rest of your day. If they were suffering from the extreme weather conditions, they weren’t showing it.
They dawned warm smiles and greeted each car. What they got in return was more of a mixed bag than I was expecting. I can’t read their minds, and they would never say it, but I think the gate guards would want you to know that although it seems like you are just one car in a sea of cars, your ten-second interaction with a defender does matter.
In total, I only got a two-hour glimpse of what it takes to be a gate guard in austere conditions, but my pre-existing respect and awe for their professionalism and sacrifice grew. The same Sailor and Airman who greeted me when I arrived, were still smiling when I left.
Once back in my car, as my toes painfully began to thaw, I pulled out of the parking lot and joined a line to enter the installation. That is when I found perspective - while I enjoy traffic about as much as the next person, I was glad to be doing it from the warmth of my vehicle.