Superintendent retires with honor Published Sept. 30, 2011 By Senior Airman Christina Bozeman 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga -- "I was a long-haired metal head with a guitar," said Master Sgt. Bruce See, Honor Guard superintendent here on Dobbins Air Reserve Base, explaining his high school years. However, he reflects the complete antithesis while wearing his uniform. Anyone who's seen Master Sgt. See in an honor guard ceremony executing facing movements seamlessly and with careful precision, might be taken aback by this quote. Under the uniform and refined intricacy his job requires, there is much more to be recognized. After hearing See's southern accent, it wouldn't be obvious that he was born in Paterson, NJ. But he lived there only for one year before it was time to move again due to his father's Army career. As a self proclaimed Army brat, See and his family moved around throughout his entire childhood. Although music was a huge part of his life while attending high school in Killeen, Texas, something moved him to change direction. "I thought I was totally going to do music. I had every intention of hitting the road after high school," See proclaimed. "I don't know what motivated me to join the military. It was my decision, and my dad was floored when I told him." In See's 11th grade year, he sought out joining the United States Air Force and was on delayed enlistment. Shortly after graduating in 1989, he enlisted in the Air Force in November. After completing boot camp at Lackland AFB in January of 1990, See was stationed at Minot, AFB in North Dakota on a direct duty assignment where he was an Airmen Basic at the 857th Supply Squadron. He was deployed for the first time in 1992 to Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia at Oscar Site for seven months. Reassigned in 1995, See was sent to tech school to cross train to be an Attack Control System Specialist for the F-16's at Hill AFB at the 421st Fighter Squadron, the Black Widows, in Utah. He was deployed to Kharj, Saudi Arabia two more times at Prince Sultan Air Base while stationed at Hill AFB in 1997 and 1998. See enjoyed being deployed in his career field. "It made sense to me being deployed with them," said See. "It was an awesome time." See got married to his wife, Toni, in 1997 and since then his family has grown, adding one son, Zayne, and two daughters Rhiannon and Mckenzie. See came off of active duty in May of 1998 as a Senior Airman and moved from Utah to Acworth, Ga. He was then hired on at Target as floor supervisor and team lead, but he was a civilian for only two years. In March of 2000, he joined the Air Force Reserves and became part of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron. During that year and a half See joined as a fulltime member of Dobbins Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman as Active Guard Reserve. See had some reservations when he joined the honor guard. "I'd never even been to a funeral," See divulged. "I had some concerns if I could do it, but it turned out to be a really good fit." During that time, See traveled to Bolling AFB in Washington, D.C. where he trained to be an Honor Guard instructor. However, See left the honor guard and once again cross trained, this time to recruiting in Jonesboro, Ga. in 2001. "Recruiting helped me in my communication skills and to be a better supervisor," stated See. After nearly four years of recruiting, See was hired back at Dobbins Honor Guard in May of 2005, but this time with the title of superintendant, the job that we all know him best for here. As many have seen, See makes what he does look effortless. His position now is more management, and See can confirm that being an honor guard member is not for everyone. "It's not just about learning sequences" said See. "The core values become a serious part of your life. You either absorb it and benefit from it, or you fight it, and you're not going to be here for long." Being a ceremonial guardsman is a unique job and can be challenging. "It's not a 9-to-5 job." See stated. "It's not a standard punch in and punch out job. You have to want to be here." As an instructor, See learned the dynamics of the honor guard. "I hire people to do the job, train them and have to let them go out and do their job," declared See. "I have to step out on faith." Who knew that once long-haired metal-music loving kid would turn into a professional and highly regarded and revered member of the United States Air Force? Well, his mom and dad probably knew. Nonetheless, it's obvious that back then See didn't even see it coming, but the Air Force has benefited greatly from his decision to join. Even though See's military career is coming to a close, he has taught his fellow guardsmen well, and the traditions he has taught will continue to be carried out. "The best part is seeing people grow and mature and benefit from it," affirms See. "I know I have."
