U.S. Army Old Guard Firing Party

U.S. Army Old Guard Firing Party
Name	U.S. Army Old Guard Firing Party
Dates	1784–present (Old Guard lineage)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Honor guard
Role	Funeral honors, ceremonial salutes
Garrison	Fort Myer
Nickname	The Old Guard

U.S. Army Old Guard Firing Party

The U.S. Army Old Guard Firing Party is a ceremonial honor detachment of the 3rd Infantry Regiment (United States) that conducts military funeral volleys, grave-side honors, and ceremonial salutes for service members and national figures. The unit supports functions at Arlington National Cemetery, state funerals for presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, and joint ceremonies with organizations like the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy. Its mission is entwined with institutions including the Department of the Army, The White House, and the Department of Defense.

History

The lineage of the 3rd Infantry Regiment links to early formations like the Continental Army and post-American Revolutionary War reorganizations culminating in the present-day Old Guard based at Fort Myer. Throughout the 19th century, elements of the regiment engaged in conflicts such as the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War, which shaped ceremonial traditions later codified for funerary practice. In the 20th century, the unit gained prominence during events connected to presidents Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, and ceremonies following World War I and World War II; public visibility expanded with televised state occasions during the administrations of Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. The modern firing party protocol evolved alongside regulations from the United States Army Center of Military History and directives issued by the Secretary of the Army.

Organization and Personnel

The firing party is organized within the 3rd Infantry Regiment’s ceremonial companies, operating alongside the Old Guard Drill Team, the Sentinel (guard) at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the regiment’s band, the United States Army Band (Pershing's Own). Personnel are active-duty soldiers drawn from companies at Fort Myer and trained to integrate with staff from Arlington National Cemetery and joint-service ceremonial units during operations with the United States Air Force honor guards. Leadership includes noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers who coordinate with installation commands such as the Military District of Washington and liaise with civilian agencies including the National Park Service for national ceremonies. The unit maintains relationships with veteran organizations like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Selection and Training

Candidates are selected through internal boards presided over by company commanders and guided by standards from the Department of the Army and the United States Army Recruiting Command. Selection emphasizes precision drill proficiency, physical bearing consistent with standards set by Fort Myer leadership, and knowledge of ceremonial protocols established by the United States Army Center of Military History. Training includes drill sequences derived from manuals used by historical units such as the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment predecessors, marksmanship and weapons handling for blank-fire salutes with the M1 Garand historically and modern editions like the M14 rifle, and coordination rehearsals with organizations including the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Arlington National Cemetery staff. Advanced instruction often involves joint exercises with the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and ceremonial coordination with the United States Naval Academy and the United States Military Academy.

Ceremonial Roles and Duties

Primary duties include three-volley salutes at military funerals scheduled through Arlington National Cemetery, participation in state funerals coordinated with The White House Military Office, and performance of honors at memorial observances such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies on the National Mall. The firing party executes ritualized volleys during funerary services for recipients of awards like the Medal of Honor and at memorials for conflicts including the Vietnam War and the Korean War. The detachment integrates with pallbearer teams, caisson platoons from the Military District of Washington Caisson Platoon, and ceremonial bands from units such as the United States Army Band. They follow protocols established in Army regulations and honor traditions associated with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and national memorials like the World War II Memorial.

Equipment and Uniforms

Historically, the firing party used service rifles such as the M1 Garand and the M14 rifle adapted for blank ammunition; contemporary equipment may include modern service rifles modified for ceremonial blank firing following Army ordnance guidance. Uniforms conform to dress standards promulgated by the Department of the Army and include elements shared with the 3rd Infantry Regiment: service dress blues, distinctive insignia tied to The Old Guard heritage, and accoutrements consistent with ceremonial units like the United States Marine Corps and Royal Guard counterparts from allied militaries during joint events. Equipment for funeral operations also encompasses caissons, ceremonial colors provided through coordination with the United States Army Center of Military History, and audio-visual support used in televised ceremonies such as presidential funerals televised by networks with coverage of events like the funeral of John F. Kennedy.

Notable Performances and Events

The firing party has participated in high-profile funerals and commemorations including state funerals for presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and other national leaders; national memorial dedications like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and observances on the National Mall; and joint international ceremonies involving dignitaries from nations including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. The unit’s roles during the funerals of notable military figures and recipients of the Medal of Honor have been widely noted in coverage of events like memorials for General Dwight D. Eisenhower and ceremonies marking anniversaries of battles such as Gettysburg and the Normandy landings. Their appearances often coordinate with branches represented by the United States Navy Band and the United States Air Force Band during state events.

Cultural Impact and Media Portrayals

The firing party’s rituals have been depicted in documentaries and news coverage surrounding state funerals, historical retrospectives aired on networks that covered the funerals of figures like John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and in military history publications associated with the United States Army Center of Military History. Representations appear in film and television portrayals of presidential funerals, in museum exhibits at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the United States Army, and in literature about ceremonial practice alongside works referencing events like Memorial Day observances and the dedication of the World War II Memorial. The firing party’s image contributes to public understanding of American ritual, alongside comparable ceremonial detachments from the United States Marine Corps and foreign units like the Household Division of the British Army.

Category:United States Army ceremonial units Category:3rd Infantry Regiment (United States)