So you want to fly. You want to break barriers. To fight and win battles. Defend the nation and protect the people. Go ahead and enlist. It takes guts to serve but it requires a whole lot of sacrifice. The training, the pain, to be miles away from friends and family, and so much more can get to even the toughest of men.
The United States Air Force was established in 1947 and is the air service branch of the US armed forces. We’re talking air superiority and everything that comes with it. You fly through the sky as one of the toughest, baddest men in the world.
Meet the Honor Guards.
They are the official ceremonial unit of the USAF and are selected from the best of the best. Any member of the USAF can apply and once selected, are withdrawn from their respective fields for this duty.
They represent the USAF and the country in ceremonial duties.
Check out this rifle drill.
How do you dazzle an audience but still retain that manliness? Well this performance did just that. Think of it as a sort of dance for the guys. Dressed in immaculate uniforms and armed with a rifle, they execute a routine so intense and synchronized you’d play it more than twice to appreciate it.
Like a deck of cards being shuffled, they spin their rifles from left to right and vice versa. They spin those rifles off their shoulders and control an extended swing with a wrist. All that while still standing at attention.
Their mission on the website says,
“The Drill Team promotes the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain, and inspire Airmen. They support Air Force Recruiting Service as the official Ambassadors in Blue. “
And their vision is,
“Preserving the Air Force heritage as the face of the Air Force, the Drill Team is renowned for precision — the premier choice to inspire current and future Airmen, worldwide.”
Now watch closely and see how they embody those principles.
Imagine the effort put into this. Think about the many hours these men spent practicing and perfecting the drill. And they do all that to represent the USAF and their country. Awesome drill.
Those rifles are only meant to be used for drills. They won’t fire ammunition but this performance definitely slays. Three rifles are used for ceremonial and drill duties.
Can you tell which one they’re using?
Every single part of the body is used for this drill. Watch closely. The wrists twist and help grip at certain angles. The knees and ankles move at stiffer angles to aid the illusion of certain movements. Elbows flare up when rifles are tossed and caught.
Those spins and tosses are either done at the same time or in an alternating fashion. If the purpose is to inspire and move the crowd, then hats off and good job to these guys! And those white gloves look great during the movements too!
Members serve a minimum of two years when assigned to the team to ensure and maintain drill efficiency. If you plan on joining, start practicing.
Check out this awesome drill in the video below!
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