Unlike some other Air Force career fields, in Senior Master Sgt. Steve Harris' line of work not everything is detailed in an Air Force Instruction manual.

Dignity, honor, respect and constantly thinking of others first make up the foundation of the life of mortuary affairs Airmen.

"All that stuff is very important - and it's not in any AFI," Harris said. "It's written on your heart."

Harris was part of a five-person team of Air Force Reservists from the 446th Force Support Squadron's sustainment services flight at McChord Field that recently returned home from a six-month deployment supporting the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Harris, the sustainment services flight superintendent, was on his seventh trip to Dover, and it was different from each of the previous six. The 54-year-old Reservist spent the majority of his time in the base's central communications center tracking servicemembers' remains as they came home from deployed locations. He also spent a lot of time making contact with the families of the deceased servicemembers. Though the interactions with families could be emotionally taxing, Harris always managed to keep one thought at the forefront of his mind.

"Somebody gave the ultimate sacrifice for my family," he said. "That (deceased servicemember's) family has also given a part of them to this country. It's all about making sure that you know for a fact that you gave 100 percent of you to that family."

Staff Sgt. Andrea Barrow, a stay-at-home mom who lives in Puyallup, was also part of the five-person team. It was her first deployment to Dover, where she worked in the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen, which opened in December 2010.

"We were there to make sure the families have everything they need," said Barrow, 30.

Paying attention to the smallest details - whether that meant making a pot of coffee for the family first thing in the morning or just plain being there as another pillar of support - was something Barrow made sure she did every day she put on the uniform. "It was such an honor for me to be there for them," she said.

Each situation also required a certain amount of tact when it came to responding to their needs.

"You have to feel out each situation," Barrow said. "Each family grieves differently. Sometimes it can be chuckling with them as they tell stories and enjoy the good times. But there is always that somber feeling."

Although the team sees families during their most vulnerable time, every move they make is under a microscope due to the circumstances.

"It's all about the details," said Harris, who lives in Kitsap County and works full time as an administrator at Bangor Naval Base.

And because the first sight of a loved one's remains can really start a family's process of getting closure, everything must be perfect.

"It can break you down at times," the senior master sergeant said. "But at the same time, when you get a card or an e-mail thanking you for the job you did and how you took care of their loved one - just to hear those words is a great thing."