In order to increase interest in joining the military, the Air Force Honor Guard Four Man Rifle Demonstration Team performed on April 14, in the Varsity Gym.

“It’s a lot like a showcase,” sophomore Jakob Hazen said. “They completed their routine, which consisted of the team preforming incredibly dangerous stunts.”

The team flew in from Washington, D.C.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” ROTC Instructor Colonel Webster said. “It taught the students how leadership, discipline and teamwork come together into one great performance.”

Though the group has been performing for years, members still get pre-show jitters.

“I’ve been doing this for a while now, but I still get nervous,” Airman Michael Bruno, a member of the team, said. “Especially when we (the team) perform for high school students. (They’re) a tough crowd.”

After they enlist, those interested in joining the Honor Guard must tryout during basic training.

“When I first joined, I had to wake up a 3 a.m. for intense training and PT (physical training),” Bruno said. “I hated my alarm. But now I’m a trainer and I love that sound.”

The team spends one month learning the routine.

“We’re still mastering it (the routine),” Commander Sergeant Tamika Woods said.

Hazen had said he enjoyed the performance.

“It was really cool,” he said. “They looked so calm while they were tossing fully operational bayonets.”

After watching the show, Hazen said he is now considering joining the military.

He said, “I’m in ROTC so I always kept the possibility of joining in the back of my head but seeing the Honor Guard perform made me really want to enlist.”