The Old Guard (United States)

The Old Guard (United States)
Unit name	The Old Guard
Native name	3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
Caption	The Old Guard color guard at a ceremonial event
Dates	1784–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry, ceremonial
Role	Ceremonial duties, worldwide security operations
Size	Regiment
Garrison	Fort Myer
Motto	"Noli Me Tangere"
Notable commanders	John F. Kennedy (honorary references), Colin Powell (inspections), William Westmoreland (career contemporaries)

The Old Guard (United States) is the popular name for the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, a unit of the United States Army that performs presidential, funerary, and ceremonial duties. Stationed at Fort Myer, the regiment serves as the Army's official ceremonial unit while also maintaining operational readiness for combat assignments and security missions. The Old Guard has a long association with national commemorations, high-profile state events, and overseas deployments, linking it to many facets of American military history.

History

The lineage of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment traces to post-Revolutionary War reorganizations and early service connected to the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War. Through the late 19th and early 20th centuries the regiment participated in functions parallel to units involved in the Spanish–American War and served in inspections with figures such as Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman-era leadership. In the 20th century, The Old Guard's ceremonial prominence grew alongside national memorial projects like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and events tied to leaders including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. During World War II and later conflicts including the Korean War and Vietnam War, the regiment balanced ceremonial responsibilities with deployments and security roles, intersecting with organizations such as the Pentagon and institutions like the United States Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery.

Organization and Structure

The regiment is organized into multiple companies and specialized platoons including a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, a Caisson Platoon, a Fife and Drum Corps, a Sentinel Platoon, and ceremonial rifle companies. Subunits maintain associations with military institutions such as United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, Joint Chiefs of Staff liaison elements, and ceremonial coordination with the White House Military Office. Command relationships link The Old Guard to higher echelons including United States Army Forces Command and coordination with units like the 3rd Infantry Division for training exchanges. The regiment’s structure permits rapid tasking for state funerals, presidential arrivals involving the United States Secret Service, and contingency operations alongside formations such as Military District of Washington.

Duties and Ceremonial Roles

The Old Guard conducts a range of duties including escorting visiting heads of state, providing honor guards for United States Presidents and senior officials, performing funerary honors at Arlington National Cemetery, and maintaining perpetual ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The unit supplies guards for events at the National Cathedral, state functions at the White House, and public commemorations like Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Musical and drill elements collaborate with ensembles such as the United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own") and the United States Marine Band during joint ceremonies. The regiment’s Caisson Platoon supports equestrian elements seen at state funerals for figures such as John F. Kennedy and public memorials for leaders like Ronald Reagan.

Combat and Operational Deployments

Beyond ceremonial tasks, The Old Guard has deployed in support of operational requirements including security missions for Operation Noble Eagle, stability operations aligned with United States Central Command, and overseas rotations that have intersected with campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. The regiment has participated in force protection tasks at sites connected to the Department of Defense and has supported contingency responses alongside units from United States Army Europe and United States Africa Command. Historically, elements of the 3rd Infantry have fought in conventional conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War, reflecting a dual identity as both ceremonial guardians and combat-capable infantry.

Training and Selection

Selection for ceremonial billets involves rigorous standards referencing training pipelines managed by institutions like United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and physical requirements comparable to those for units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division. Candidates undergo marksmanship, drill, equestrian handling for Caisson assignments, and sentinel protocols for duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Specialized training includes drill instruction tied to historical manuals used since the era of Winfield Scott, ceremonial music coordination with the United States Army Field Band, and security certifications aligning with Department of Homeland Security directives when performing presidential support missions.

Equipment and Uniforms

Uniforms and equipment reflect historic and modern elements: the Old Guard’s dress blues and distinctive accoutrements are displayed at ceremonies involving the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and state visits by leaders from United Kingdom, France, Germany, and others. The Fife and Drum Corps wear uniforms inspired by Revolutionary War-era attire associated with figures like George Washington and early Continental formations. Operational equipment for deployments includes standard infantry gear used by formations such as the 1st Infantry Division and vehicles comparable to those fielded by United States Army Materiel Command for force protection missions. The Caisson Platoon maintains horse harnesses and limbers consistent with equestrian standards preserved by organizations like the United States Cavalry Museum.

Notable Members and Incidents

The Old Guard’s roster and history intersect with prominent individuals and events: ceremonial duties at funerals for presidents such as John F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft (historic comparisons), and Calvin Coolidge are part of public record; the unit has been inspected or observed by leaders including Dwight D. Eisenhower and Colin Powell. Incidents have ranged from high-profile ceremonial mishaps to operational deployments that placed soldiers in harm’s way during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom contingencies. The regiment’s role in safeguarding national symbols and participating in state rituals links it to institutions including the Supreme Court of the United States, Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution through collaborative commemorative programs.

Category:United States Army regiments