Ruffin majored in criminology and received a master's degree in human resources.

He served with a military police brigade in the Middle East in the run-up to the Iraq war. As the anti-terrorism officer, Ruffin wrote the plan to protect the top brass headquartered in Qatar.

At Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, he held several MP command positions. Last December, he left active duty after 13 years for the Reserves and civilian life. But the Army soon called, asking whether he'd like to be part of the inauguration. The job was slated for someone with more bars than captain.

"I submitted the application, not really thinking I was going to get selected," he said. "When the e-mail came from the Pentagon, I was ecstatic. It was going to be an historic event. This is something I can tell my daughters about someday."

Ruffin's wife, Alissa, a teacher who grew up in Overland Park, Kan., said the magnitude of her husband's job "makes my mind absolutely swirl. But that is his gift. He thinks worst-case scenario in everything, and he has five fallback plans. That's what he does with our household."

Ruffin, however, can't relax until Jan. 21, the day after all the hubbub. He has to complete a playbook on how it all worked for the person who'll wear his hat four years from now.

One thing is always on his mind.

"We are representing the armed forces to our new commander in chief," Ruffin said. "We are going to be his first impressions. Our mission is to make sure that this event goes off without a hitch . . . and as perfectly as possible."

MORE FROM MCCLATCHY:

McClatchy inauguration coverage

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