A smiling gate guard is the first Canadian whom visitors to CFB Baden-Soellingen are likely to encounter. Gate guards can't forget that. They must be friendly, helpful and never lose their temper. They must also remember they are the base's first line of defence and they must always be prepared to react to an emergency situation.

Unlike their counterparts on bases in Canada, gate guards in Europe are civililians, usually spouses of military members. Despite the job's long hours and potential dangers, there are always many applications for each job opening.

Lynn Shaw, senior security guard, remembers seeing guards on duty when she first came to Baden three years ago, and thinking "that would be an easy job". When she applied and was hired, she discovered the reality was a little different. "Once you get out there, you realize the responsibility the job entails - what could happen if you let the wrong person on base."

A gate guard's primary responsibility is to control access to the base and restricted areas. Guards are on duty at the front and back gates, the general restricted area entrance, the Wing Operations Centre and the Protected Avionics Shelter. There is also a trilingual guard at the pass control office.

Following a decision in 1987, the gate guards were required to carry firearms. The decision to arm civilians caused controversy in Canadian Forces Europe and even sparked interest in Canada. But Ms. Shaw and her second-in-command, Linda Campbell, said gate guards have taken on the extra responsibility with confidence. "I was a little anxious about it because I had never handled a weapon, but we received excellent training and I feel confident," said Ms. Shaw.

The security guard hiring committee carefully screens all applications, choosing only the best educated and most experienced applicants for interviews. The committee considers previous military service, work in the security field and familiarity with weapons to be assets. Prospective gate guards must take 40 hours of weapons training and qualify on the range. Once hired, gate guards must requalify with their weapons every six months, meeting the same training requirements as military police.

While gate guards must be ever alert to possible security threats, they must also have a wide range of knowledge at their disposal. Besides identifying valid identification cards, gate guards must know hours of operation for CFXE outlets, what's on at the Astra theatre and who's holding what meeting where. "Being on the front gate is like manning an information booth," said Linda Campbell with a smile.

The guards are conscious of their high profile position and their spot in the public eye. "Although we're civilians, we wear a uniform and we have to follow the rules and regulations that go along with it," said Ms. Shaw.

Gate guards work 12-hour shifts in all kinds ofweather. They fight boredom in the wee hours of the morning and fatigue at rush hours. They arrange for an MP to escort a lost five year old home. They worry about terrorists - but not too much. They rely on their training. They depend on the MPs to back them up. They check, and smile, and wave the next car through.

All in all, said both women, It's a good job. "The job is challenging, the responsibility can be frightening," concluded Ms. Campbell. "It's an important position and you can't take it for granted."
... by Liz Benneian, photos by Colleen Scott, both of Der Kanadier newspaper, CFB Baden