Safe On The Field - Profiling Citizen Airman

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David Speicher
  • 175th Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Tracy Brandenberg full-time job is keeping the base safe while working as a firefighter with the Martin State Airport fire department.   In the Air National Guard, Brandenberg is assigned to the 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron as a vehicle operator. He keeps fans safe at sporting events around Baltimore as a part-time job.   

He started working for S.A.F.E. Management, a security company for public events, in 1996. His first position was working the press room entrance at Memorial Stadium for Baltimore Ravens games. When the Ravens moved to their new home, he worked the visitor's sidelines watching the crowd and making sure the photographers and camera personnel stayed where they belong.

Everyone asked him how great it is to stand on the field and watch the game. "It is truly a great feeling, but I do not watch the game, my back is to the field," said Brandenberg.

For the past three years he has been the sideline supervisor on the home team sideline.

"My greatest job so far is being able to work the past four Super Bowls," he said. On game day he usually works a 20 hour day. The good part is he gets to meet "the who's who of the entertainment business."

Besides working the Ravens games, the company provides security for First Mariner Arena, Towson and Morgan State Universities, the Preakness and various other events and venues.

"All in all I love my job even though I can't watch the games when I work. I love the feeling from the field level standing next to the players and listening to what they say."

After reflecting on his experiences with the Guard Brandenberg said,  "(I have a) connection between the military and my job as field security at the Baltimore Ravens football team. I need discipline and great working skills because we stand on the sideline from 2 hours before kickoff to about an hour after the game with only a 15 minute break for the whole game. My main concern is to make sure that no one gets on the field from the stands, then watch out for the players so I don't get hit."