The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as “The Old Guard,” is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army, serving our nation since 1784. The Old Guard continuously prepares for its contingency and infantry missions by conducting year-round tactical training. This ensures the highest standards and the utmost discipline in its Soldiers.
Since 1948, The Old Guard has been stationed in the Washington, D.C. area, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. As a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (USAMDW), the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment is charged with the unique mission of providing security for the nation's capital, serving as the U.S. Army's official ceremonial unit, and performing tactical infantry missions.
As the U.S. Army’s official ceremonial unit and escort to the President, The Old Guard represents the U.S. Army and the nation through ceremonies and special events thousands of times each year. Familiar sights in the nation’s capital, units of The Old Guard participate in official arrival ceremonies at the White House and the Pentagon for visiting heads of state and other foreign dignitaries. The Old Guard also participates in wreath ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and conducts funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
The unit received its nickname from Gen. Winfield Scott, commander of the U.S. forces during the Mexican War in Mexico City at the victory parade in 1848. As the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment approached the reviewing stand, Scott removed his hat and said of the unit that had so distinguished itself in the campaign, "Gentlemen, take off your hats to The Old Guard of the Army."
The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
Honoring the fallen is The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon’s primary mission. The U.S. Army first started using Caisson wagons to haul ammunition for artillery in the early 1800s during the Mexican War. The wagons were used as field-expedient ambulances after battle to carry the injured and fallen. This is where the tradition of using a Caisson in military funerals began. The Caisson Platoon’s caissons were built in 1918 by the American Carriage and Foundry Company. Caisson Soldiers care for and preserve these historical items, as they maintain the traditions of horsemanship, farriery and saddling used in the Army since the 1800s.
Today the Caisson Platoon Soldiers and horses serve as the mounted escort for our Nation’s fallen heroes during Military Honors Funerals with Escort in Arlington National Cemetery. They perform Special and State Funerals. The Caisson Platoon is the last official, full-time, equestrian-mounted unit in the Department of Defense. The stables at Joint Base Myer – Henderson Hall were built in 1908 on the site of a Union horse farm used during the Civil War. The Old Guard has conducted the Caisson mission since 1948.
In addition to their military funeral duties, the Caisson Platoon participates in ceremonial and outreach events within the National Capital Region to include Twilight Tattoo. The Caisson Platoon is family-friendly and often opens their doors to the public for holiday-themed events.
Learn more about The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon on Facebook and Instagram.
The U.S. Army Drill Team
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The U.S. Army Drill Team has earned international acclaim through its breathtaking routines with bayonet-tipped 1903 Springfield rifles. The team are goodwill ambassadors for the Army and participate in major military and civic functions. The team’s intricate maneuvers are the result of discipline, training and constant practice. The dangerous drills are performed without vocal cadence, command or musical cues. The team supports the U.S. Army Military District of Washington’s ceremonial commitments and Army recruiting from its home at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall at Fort Myer, Virginia. Competition is intense for a place on this elite team, and a vacancy is filled only after months of drill practice. The strength and dexterity to handle the rifle along with a trim, polished military bearing are essential.
Learn more about the U.S. Army Drill Team on Facebook and Instagram.
The Continental Color Guard
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The Colors have guided Soldiers in battle for centuries and in today’s Army, Soldiers still carry the colors in the form of a patch on their right shoulder, featuring the U.S. Flag in reverse. The Continental Color Guard was established to recall the history of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Its heritage traces back to the early days of our nation and is an Old Guard tradition. The Continental Color Guard’s mission is to showcase the U.S. Army’s precision nationally and internationally. The five-man unit is comprised of two armed Guards and three color ensigns who carry the United States flag, the U.S. Army flag, and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment flag.
The uniforms worn by the Color Team are replicas of the 1784-style infantry uniforms worn by The Old Guard’s predecessor, the First American Regiment. The pattern of the uniform for wear by all Continental Army infantry units was approved by General George Washington in 1782. It consisted of a blue coat faced with a red collar, cuffs and lapels, white buttons and lining, long-fitting overalls, and a black cocked hat with cockade.
The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The Commander-in-Chief’s Guard
Known as the Commander-in-Chief’s (CinC) Guard, Alpha Company of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment is patterned after General George Washington’s personal guard of that day. The CinC Guard carries twelve-pound reproduction brown bess muskets with thirteen-inch bayonets and wear the blue colonial uniforms, including white wigs. CinC Guard participates in ceremonies in the nation’s captial and firing demonstrations to illustrate Revolutionary War battles.
The unit maintains ceremonial and tactical proficiency in the weaponry and tactics of the 18th century, as well as conducts tactical training year round to sustain proficiency in its Rifle Company's tasks and conducts Memorial Affairs in Arlington National Cemetery.
The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drums Corps is one of the U.S. Army’s premier musical organizations, inspiring audiences around the world for more than 50 years. The Fife and Drum Corps is patterned after the military musicians of General George Washington’s Continental Army. Founded on Feb. 23, 1960, the men and women of the Corps proudly carry on the musical traditions that accompanied the birth of our Nation. The unit performs at ceremonies and special events at the White House, throughout the National Capital Region and across the Nation. The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps has performed for every Presidential Inauguration since John F. Kennedy's in 1961.
Learn more about the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps on Facebook and Instagram.
The Presidential Salute Battery
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The Presidential Salute Battery
The Presidential Salute Battery renders honors to foreign dignitaries and heads of state visiting the White House, the Pentagon and other places in the area. It also fires the final salute during funerals for flag officers at Arlington National Cemetery. Not only does this platoon provide ceremonial support, but also the mortar men provide 75-mm mortar indirect-fire support during the tactical training of 3rd Infantry units. During ceremonies, the platoon fires 3-inch antitank guns mounted on a 105-mm howitzer chassis. Three-man crews, consisting of a watchman (time keeper), loader and gunner, fire at intervals from three to eight seconds, depending on the type of ceremony. Every summer the Salute Guns Platoon joins the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” in performing Tchaikovsky’s “Overture 1812.”
Learn more about The Presidential Salute Battery on Facebook and YouTube.
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" provides musical support for the leadership of the United States, to include all branches of government, and to a wide spectrum of national and international events in order to connect the Army to the American people.
The U.S. Army Band Downrange
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
Downrange supports the men and women of the Armed Services through popular music while reaching all audiences, young and old, with their continuously up-to-date repertoire of rock, pop, country, R & B, and inspirational signature patriotic arrangements that are popular with all listeners.
The U.S. Army Blues
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The U.S. Army Blues, part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. The Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America’s unique art form: jazz.
The U.S. Army Voices
Joint Base Myer - Henderson Hall
The U.S. Army Voices provide musical support to the nation’s leadership and entertain a wide variety of audiences with choral and patriotic music, from the intimate setting of a State Dinner, to the floor show of international military tattoos, and the grand stage of major concert halls around the world.
![The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)](https://www.twilight.mdw.army.mil/images/default-source/participating-units/tog.jpg?sfvrsn=dc322fbe_2")
