A life lost through the natural process of old age or acts of bravery is not a settling thought to contemplate, but it must be prepared for all the same. Members of the Joint Task Force Med 374 distinguished transfer team, led by Sgt. Kevin Wohl are, doing their part to stay mentally and physically prepared to carry a fallen comrade home if the worst should happen. 

This small group of both officers and enlisted is made up of just about every section you can think of in the hospital, including providers, nurses, medical technicians, administrative and computer technology. Every week the group comes together to work on their facing movements, saluting, transferring, and marching as a team. It might not sound like a tough task but moving a 400-pound transfer case in unison takes a lot of coordinated effort and lots of practice. Fortunately, Wohl, the team leader, has had some experience with all the above.
    
"I used to be an 11 Bravo (Infantry Rifleman) stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard," said Wohl. "Part of my assignment was conducting military funerals and honors in Arlington National Cemetery. I was a member of a Full Honors color guard in an Escort Platoon." 

During his service in Arlington, Wohl participated in over 760 military funeral honors services, better preparing him for his leadership role in the current distinguished transfer team. Each practice session reviews key components of the transfer tasks required, and then a full rehearsal to include the actual transfer into a real ambulance, which is coordinated with other medical assets in the area to include the mortuary affairs team. Following a service member's passing, the mortuary team is tasked with recovery, identification, transportation, and preparation for burial. Additionally, mortuary affairs, distinguished transfer, and chaplain services offer their services to other Coalition Forces when needed. 
    
"It makes me feel honored to be a part of this process," said Sgt.  Amanda Kuchinski, voice caller for one of the distinguished transfer teams. "Learning all the commands and practicing all the salutes makes me feel better about myself. You have to keep up on your cadence calling; otherwise, you can mess everything up and throw everyone off. Every rehearsal, we try to make it look as good as we possibly can," she said. 
    
"It's important to get everything down just right," said Wohl. "Nothing halfway. It may not be one of your Soldiers that you are carrying, but you want to make sure you are serving that service member right and presenting a good image. For some watching, it is the last time they have to say goodbye before a soldier is put on the plane and flies home."       
   
The final march of the distinguished transfer ends when the SM is safely carried to the military aircraft and respectfully secured. The next time they land, they will be received by their family and friends back home, where another distinguished transfer will carry them on. A majority of all flights are received by Dover Air Force Base, located in Dover, Delaware, just 93 miles from Washington, D.C. In 2008, the Secretary of Defense approved the recording of distinguished transfers by the media, with the permission of the family members.