Eglin gate guards wear new uniforms

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  Civilian guards at Eglin Air Force Base are now wearing new uniforms that are the standard uniform set by Department of the Air Force Security Forces Center officials.

"Eglin is unique in this Air Force-wide initiative because we are the benchmark base," said 1st Lt. Roger Main of the Department of the Air Force Security Forces.

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

"Although the BDUs 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, the 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, Department of the Air Force guards and Department of the Air Force Security Forces guards. By 2010, all Department of the Air Force guards will transition under Department of the Air Force Security Forces.

Department of the Air Force Security Forces civilian guards are a part of the 96th SFS while the BDU-wearing guards are still Department of the Air Force employees.

The newly hired Department of the Air Force Security Forces 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 Department of the Air Force civilian guards will receive this training as well as the new uniforms.

"These aren't regular people guarding our base," Lieutenant Main said. "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 Department of the Air Force gate guards are required to receive the Air Force training and new uniforms by 2010.

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

Though the look of the Department of the Air Force Security Forces civilian guards has changed, their responsibilities haven't. The changes implemented to the Air Force's security forces ensures Eglin AFB and the rest of the Air Force is protected.