Serving Full Time For The Thin Blue Line

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kimberly Erickson
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  This story is part 3 of a 3 part series on 403rd Wing Reservists' civilian jobs.

As a young active-duty Airman serving as a medical technician in the emergency room, he listened to them recount tales of heartache and heroism, traffic accidents and bank robberies. It was those stories told by Air Force security forces members in passing, detailing everything from the mundane to the obscure, that motivated him to become part of the thin blue line.

More than a decade later, Master Sgt. Bryan Vincent, 403rd Security Forces Squadron first sergeant and a Reservist at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., is no longer the Airman listening to the stories, but the one living and sharing them.

Sergeant Vincent first volunteered as a reserve police officer with the Biloxi Police Department while still on active duty.

"After serving as a reserve police officer at the Biloxi Police Department for six years, I decided to separate from active duty to take a full time position with the BPD," the Biloxi, Miss., native said.

Still wanting to be part of the military, Sergeant Vincent decided to join the Reserve and cross-train into security forces.

Following 9/11, he was activated for one year and served as part of a team responsible for transporting Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners from Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay.

Vincent said being activated for a year reaffirmed his belief in the importance of his role as a security forces Reservist.

"We're the military's first line of defense," he said of security forces. "If we fail, people die. We train to succeed, protect our people and resources."

Whether serving as a Reservist or within the BPD, Sergeant Vincent is viewed by his colleagues as a leader.

"He's a very good police officer," said BPD Major Charles Brit, who has worked closely with Sergeant Vincent for more than 15 years. "I think the military has given him leadership experience he wouldn't get here as a patrol officer."

Professionalism is what makes Sergeant Vincent a well-rounded leader, stated Tech. Sgt. Kayetta Robert, 403rd SFS. "Sergeant Vincent has a strong work ethic," she said. "Taking one uniform off to put on another doesn't change that in a person."

As first sergeant, he has worked to get his security forces Airmen recognition for their work, Sergeant Robert added. "A lot of support units don't get the credit they deserve and Sergeant Vincent puts the spotlight where it needs to be: on the individuals in the unit," she said.

Taking care of his troops and community members is not the only thing that drives Sergeant Vincent to serve; he credits his military family background as the reason behind what made joining the Air Force a natural fit. "My father was a Marine; my brother and sister served in the Army," he said. "I feel a strong sense of duty to serve my country and to serve for those who can't."

With 24 years of total military service, Sergeant Vincent said working alongside other people in the Reserve who are serving for the same reasons is what keeps him in uniform.

"Not everyone can do this job," he said. "It takes a lot of commitment, but helping people has made me a better person."