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Indiana joint military color guard synchronized for 'Super' performance

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  Super Bowl XLVI is sure to be packed with Patriots and Giants fans sporting their favorite team's jerseys, but another group of uniformed patriots will be there supporting a different team -- Team America.

Eight servicemembers from units across the Hoosier heartland, along with two members of the Air Force Band of Flight, will take center field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to present the Colors as Kelly Clarkson sings the national anthem during pregame ceremonies Feb. 5.

"It's a huge honor because of what it means to the nation as a whole," said U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Austin Stoner, the joint color guard's commander. "Millions of people will be watching us knowing what we represent; humbling is the best way to describe it."

With more than 111 million people watching last year's Super Bowl, color guard members said nerves can play a factor, but constant practice builds muscle memory and is key to success.

"I was nervous at first, but as we're getting closer to the game I get less nervous with each practice," said Stoner. "But the nervousness is what keeps you thinking straight."

Even without the pressure of the big game, taking a group of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coastguardsmen from different units with different training and molding them into a Super-Bowl caliber team was far from easy.

To accomplish this task, the color guard met twice a week for three weeks leading up to game night building unit cohesion and often practicing the same drill movements over and over for hours on end to achieve perfection.

"I think the biggest challenge is working with all the services where everyone has their own requirements and own regulations and trying to mesh that together for one polished product," said U.S. Army Reserve 1st Lt. Michael Marszalek, the color guard's officer in charge.

This challenge was extremely apparent on the first day of practice as color guard members struggled with their various branch differences. However, that did not deter the team from their goal of perfect timing and synchronization.

"We had to find a combination that worked well," explained Stoner. "Initially everyone was kind of separate, but we bonded together as military for this one event, and the team is a million times better than it was that first day."

It was that one common goal and sense of camaraderie that Marszalek said pulled the team together.

"We had Airmen talking to Marines about marching and senior (noncommissioned officers) from all the services providing mentorship and input," he remarked. "Everyone pushed away their individual biases and pride for their services to see that this is a true joint effort."

Familiarity with joint efforts, something that has become common place in U.S. military culture with the recent conflicts around the globe, is what Marszalek said led to the team gelling so quickly.

"As a deploying force, one that's been at war for over a decade now, we have an understanding as a greater entity," explained the lieutenant. "We all have come together to defend our nation and the Constitution, and everyone has taken that to heart and understood the significance of that fact."

Now, with the team fully trained as one cohesive unit, they look forward to completing their mission.

"The big thing I'm looking forward to is presenting arms and listening to the national anthem at center field," concluded Stoner. "This is the tops for someone on the color guard."

Color guard team members include the following:
- 1st Lt. Michael Marszalek, U.S. Army Reserve, 310th ESC
- Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Pitts, U.S. Army Reserve, 310th ESC
- Sgt. 1st Class David Warder,U.S. Army Reserve, 310th ESC
- Staff Sgt. Austin Stoner, U.S. Army Reserve, 310th ESC
- Tech. Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner, U.S. Air Force Reserve, 434th Air Refueling Wing
- Sgt. Brian Francies, U.S. Marine Corps, Recruiting Sub-Station Northern Indianapolis
- Sgt. Joshua Bishop, U.S. Marine Corps, Inspector Instructor Indianapolis
- Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Delgado, U.S. Navy, Naval Operations Support Center Indianapolis
- Seaman Aaron Such, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Station Michigan City

The 434th ARW at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434thARW are routinely called to deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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