Last Updated on  October 09, 2007

In celebration of their 50th Anniversary, the United States Army Drill Team will be having a picnic/Reunion honoring past and present Drill Team members. There will be a special show given on 13 October, 2007 starting at 09:30 at Summerall Field followed by a BBQ down at Archery Range. There will be a guest speaker in attendance and will last until the last person leaves (or approximately 15:00). There will be no cost to attend. Simply plan on bringing yourself, memories and plenty of stories to share. 

Any questions or concerns, feel free to contact SGT Dustin Koch, Soloist/Thrower USADT.

A Tribute to Wounded Service members from
Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
Currently Assigned to  Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Friday, March 24, 2006, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

Wounded Warriors Honored by Army’s Old Guard
Wednesday, March 29, 2006, Old Guard Public Affairs, Ft Myer, VA - by Spc Brian Parker

Fort Myer, Virginia - Honor played an important role at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery where injured military servicemen and women from the current War on Terrorism laid a wreath Friday to honor those who have fallen and lost their identity.

Twenty four patients from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center were honored Friday by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Many of the patients brought along their family to witness the ceremonies. The Old Guard conducted the wreath laying, a tour of Arlington National Cemetery and an Army full honor review for the patients.

The day began when Army Spc. Latseen Benson, Army Spc. Crystal Davis, Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Schilling and Navy Seaman Elmer Dinglasanmer laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Teardrops could be seen from bystanders as the patients paid respect to one of the most revered monuments in the United States.

Spc. Noah Bailey, a patient at Walter Reed and one of those who were honored, said he was happy to see so many servicemen and women in the stands at the Tomb.

“It felt good to get all that attention from other military members,” Bailey said, who was with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based out of Vicenza, Italy.

Each Walter Reed patient was paired with a member of the elite Old Guard to answer questions and assist in the patients’ needs.

Spc. Ebony Underwood, a military policeman from the 289th Military Police Company on Fort Myer, helped in assisting one of the patients.

“Helping the patients felt great and was very inspiring. All of them had a positive attitude and the experience of meeting with them was indescribable,” Underwood said.

Underwood was deployed to Iraq from April 2004 to March 2005 and experienced some of the same problems that the Walter Reed patients had faced.

“I knew people who got injured, but then I never got to see them after that. This gave me a chance to sit down and talk about their time in service and let them know how much we appreciate what they’ve done,” she said.

After the wreath ceremony, the patients were driven to the Fort Myer Dining Facility where they dined in a sectioned off area. Sgt. 1st Class Don Francisco, a member of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, provided entertainment by playing songs ranging from the “Rocky” theme song to “Yankee Doodle” on his flute.

“Lunch was the best part,” said Underwood. “It gave us a chance to just sit down in a relaxed area and speak with the patients person to person. It was interesting to see how they viewed Fort Myer. Every one of the patients had an amazing attitude and it was very inspiring for me.”

After lunch, the patients moved to Conmy Hall, which is the auditorium where special events and ceremonies take place on Fort Myer.

Once everyone was seated, an Army full honor review ceremony took place to honor the wounded from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The FDC kicked off the review with a 22-member Corps in a performance that highlighted the musicianship of the specialized unit.

The United States Army Drill Team followed the FDC and dazzled spectators with signature moves such as “The Fan” and a maneuver that involves tossing a rifle over 15 feet in the air from the front to the rear of a moving formation.

After receiving a round of applause, the Drill Team exited the hall and The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own) combined with a Noncommissioned Officer led D Company, E Company, A Company, Commander-in-Chief’s Guard and FDC in entering the hall to the beat of the drum.

Col. Bob Pricone, regimental commander of The Old Guard, addressed the crowd and paid special attention to those being honored.

“Our Soldiers want you to know we have the utmost respect and admiration for your bravery and commitment. As The Old Guard of the Army, we conduct ceremonies for heads of state, numerous foreign dignitaries, provide honor for our fallen comrades within Arlington National Cemetery and are the personal escort for the president of the United States,” said Pricone, speaking to the Walter Reed patients.

“But today, the Soldiers and leaders of The Old Guard and The United States Army Band, pay special recognition and honor to you, our wounded warriors,” Pricone said.

Pricone went on to say, “As the Army Chief of Staff recently said, ‘These men and women are going to give more than they take, be part of something that is bigger than they are and be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with people they can trust who have the same values, whose integrity they can trust and understand that they too are giving more than they are getting. We call it service for a reason.’”

Following Pricone’s speech, the troops paraded past the viewing stand for an official pass in review that traces its roots back to the Revolutionary War.

The mood was one of excitement following the ceremony.

“This was a great opportunity,” said Benson, with his son in his lap. “I’m glad my family got to see this today.”

“Everything was great today. I’ll remember the hospitality I received here. Everyone was really nice and helpful,” said Bailey.

SOG, SFC Schuck Going Away Party
1 February, 2006

NCO Induction
Fort Myer, VA,  4 February, 2005

Changing of the Guard
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery,  1 February, 2005

Snow at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington National Cemetery,  19 January, 2005

Trooper remembers guarding Tomb of the Unknown Soldier By Kimberly D. Morava Sunday, December 5, 2004 SNS Staff Writer

Shawnee resident Jeff Griffith is pictured in this 1979 photo during his tour as a Sentinel for the Tomb Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Since 1937, stoic sentinels on guard have taken 21-steps across The Tomb of Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery -- with every ceremonial step to honor and protect those killed in the line of duty.

Shawnee resident Jeff Griffith is a former Sentinel. He guarded the tomb in 1979 and 1980. Recently, he and his family joined other sentinels at a reunion of The Society of the Honor Guard, which is an association of guards, past and present.

Griffith said sentinels don't seek or desire accolades for their service, rather it's about the respect for the unknowns laid to rest.

"That was someone's son who went to war and died," he said. Honoring the unknown is "a tradition rich in the U.S. Army ... that their country and Army has not forsaken them."

Commander of Military District of Washington Major General Galen B. Jackman, left, is pictured with Shawnee resident Jeff Griffith, second from right, during a recent reunion of The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also pictured is Griffith's wife, Darlene, and one of their sons, Aaron, center.

They weren't forgotten.

"It follows the idea of combat -- soldiers don't leave fallen buddies behind," Griffith added.

One of the inscriptions on the tomb reads, "Here Rests in Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But to God."

There are currently three unknown in the tomb, representing World War I, World War II and Korea. The soldier from the Vietnam tomb was identified through DNA testing and that tomb is vacant.

Griffith graduated from Shawnee High School and joined the U.S. Army in 1977. As part of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, he was selected for the U.S. Army Guard Company, part of The Old Guard's 3rd Infantry. His first assignments included the Presidential Escort platoon and guard at Andrews Air Force Base. He was selected as a Tomb Guard.

More than four million people visit Arlington National Cemetery every year, many fascinated with watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. It occurs every 30 minutes in the summer, every hour during the winter and every two hours during the time the cemetery is closed.

Griffith said the guards change more in the summer because the heavy Army blue uniforms, which press better, are wool -- making it very hot. Sentinels work in rotational shifts, serving 24 hours on-duty, 48 hours off, he said, no matter what the weather.

Griffith, his wife Darlene and sons, Matt, 15, and Aaron 11, visited Washington, D.C., last month for the society's reunion of tomb guards. Griffith shared the Washington, D.C., experience with his sons, and also met and became reacquainted with some fellow guards he worked with during his tour of duty.

The trip evoked many memories for Griffith as he remembers being a "19-to 20-year-old kid" while serving as a Sentinel.

"It was a wonderful duty. I thoroughly loved the Army," he said. "It's a neat thing for a young guy from Shawnee."

Sentinels strive for perfection in every step and take their duties very seriously, he said, staying focused despite what's going on in the crowds watching the ceremonies.

Griffith said some of the most touching moments always occurred later in the evening when one or two people came to the Tomb, many breaking down in tears.

When visitors show up, many believe the unknown soldier could be their loved one, he said, so all deserve the proper dignity. He described the atmosphere as being a lot like church.

Sentinels stand guard to keep anyone from defacing the Tomb, and no one, not even the guards, is allowed to touch or step on the crypts.

"My whole time, I never touched that Tomb," he said.

Griffith believes every American should see Arlington National Cemetery. There's always a steady stream of visitors, especially during the summer and on federal holidays involving wreath ceremonies.

Tuesday, Americans will remember the Dec. 7, 1941, anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, an event that started World War II.

Many may reflect on the impact of war and remember the World War II unknown soldier.

"That's somebody's son who didn't come home," Griffith said.

After his duty in the U.S. Army, Griffith returned to Shawnee and has continued his career in public service. He was a patrol officer with the Shawnee Police Department and has been with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for 23 years. Part of his duties in the patrol over the past year have included assignments involving Homeland Security.

The Old Guard Christmas Party
Fort Myer, VA  11 December, 2004

NCO Induction Ceremony
Ft. Myer, Virginia, 3 December, 2004

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Old Guard Dining Facility, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C.
22 November, 2004

Myer Soldier rescued lost early flight footage
Monday, November 15, 2004 Pentagram, Fort Myer, Va. -- By Sgt. Chuck Wagner  

That cliché about someone's trash, another's treasure seems fitting here.

Film footage of Orville Wright's 1909 flights on Fort Myer disappeared for nearly a century until an Army specialist pulled it from a junk pile in 1995. A WETA TV 26 documentary premiering next month called "Arlington: Heroes, History & Hamburgers" will include the footage.

The film shows Orville Wright on Fort Myer demonstrating the Wright brother's early plane models to a portly President William Howard Taft and an entourage of military and political hobnobs. Alexander Graham Bell filmed the glider-like crafts as they circled around Fort Myer, then largely comprised of rolling fields. Bell set up two cameras to capture the event -- historians refer to a camera A and B. Footage from A has been stock and ware for aviation historians since that flight. The B footage had vanished from the historical record.

Scott Vetter, an Army specialist and the post sergeant major's driver in June 1995 discovered a film canister among clutter in the basement of post headquarters. On a hunch, Vetter delivered the footage to Fort Myer historian Kim Holien.

"I told him it's a shame to have it down there in the dampness, sitting around with a bunch of junk that would eventually be thrown out," says Vetter, now out of the military and living in Raeford, N.C.

When Holien showed the reel to successively higher directors at the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall, each responded similarly. They hemmed and hawed through early sequences, culled from well known A footage, then sat bolt-upright when the sequence cut to camera B. Each grabbed the nearest phone to call their superior -- "you've got to come see this."

This was a full 86 years after the sequences were filmed.

"I knew I had something of a high level of historical and aviation relevance," recounts Holien. "To say the least, it's a treasure."

"When he returned he told me I saved a piece of history and told me how serious it was, but I didn't really get what I had found," says Vetter.

Having another angle on the famous flights may not seem like much to those who don't know the Enola Gay from the Red Baron, but historians relish the chance for a 360-degree view of Fort Myer and additional glimpses of the assembly of characters who attended the demonstration. Observing the flights were the President, Senate and House Armed Services Committee members, the President's Army and Navy aides, a French military attaché, and the national press.

The jolty cameras follow the plane's oval flight patterns over Fort Myer from approximately the headquarters building to the current enlisted residences at Tencza Terrace. The grainy black-and-white footage shows interurban train cars in the background carrying passengers to and from Arlington junction station, at what is now Hatfield Gate. The cameras also pan over a horizon dotted with white stones in Arlington cemetery, and military facilities, including the post headquarters where Vetter discovered the film.

At one point, the plane flies over a cavalry soldier on horseback, and the importance of the moment is clear -- the 20th Century Army was about to eclipse that of the 19th Century.

All that is known of the film is that it likely dates from the 1970s, a calculation based on the plastic canister and the type of film stock. It appears to be a first-generation duplicate of the originals shot in 1909, and it is an edited compilation of A and B footage.

"We don't know who edited it, nor when, nor why," says Holien.

He believes the film could have been compiled for the nation's bicentennial observances in the mid-70s. Around that time, a sergeant first class working in the headquarters building archived and researched various history projects.

This doesn't explain what happened to the original B film, which is still missing.

A section of the historic footage is splotchy. Someone, possibly the same sergeant Holien suspects created the edited reel, attempted to preserve the film by coating it with clear varnish. This make-do approach reveals the film was already deteriorating in the mid-70s, and that no one felt the six-minute film worth professional preservation. Film experts estimate it would take about $10,000 a minute to restore the six-minute film. The Air and Space Museum now holds the edited version discovered on Fort Myer.

The documentary "Arlington: Heroes, History & Hamburgers" will premiere on WETA TV 26 Dec. 2 and features other archival footage, interviews with residents, and historical commentary about Arlington history starting 10,000 years ago with early human residents to the present.

Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony - Tomb of the Unknowns
11 November, 2004

Arlington portrayed on PBS as 'Field of Honor'
Tuesday, November 09, 2004 Pentagram, Fort Myer, Va. -- By Dennis Ryan

National Geographic Specials on PBS are justly famed for their documentaries of exotic, far-away locales. Wednesday night, the society unveils a subject quite close to home, "Arlington: Field of Honor."

The hour-long program will be shown at 8 p.m. Wednesday and repeated over the next several days. Check dates and times for local viewing, but in Washington, D.C., on the WETA affiliate, Channel 26, the show will broadcast several more times before a final showing at 3 p.m. Nov. 16. It will show several times on Veterans Day on WETA HD, the high-definition television broadcast available by cable. 

The National Geographic cameras explored the 600 acres of well maintained grounds last spring and summer and spoke with the people behind the scenes who make sure the more than 5,400 burials a year are performed with grace and dignity.

More than 4 million people visit Arlington each year to pay their respects to the more than 290,000 buried or inurned there. The special shows Old Guard Soldiers, including a firing party and the Caisson Platoon preparing for their missions.

The Arlington Ladies' Paula McKinley, cemetery representative Joe Mercer and others are followed on a typical day. The Arlington Ladies, formed in the 1960s, are officers' wives who convey condolences from the senior officer of each service to families of the deceased.

Mercer is one of five representatives who help arrange up to 25 funerals every weekday.

"There are just hours and hours of preparation put into a service that lasts 20 minutes," Mercer explains in the special.

"You can never stop and say, 'whoa, let's back up and do that again.' You have one chance to do it right and that's it."

Darryl Stafford has one of the most important jobs in the cemetery, yet he is usually not seen by mourners, only their work. The 22-year employee and his crew discreetly dig as many as 10 new graves a day.

The documentary examines the difficult training to become a Tomb Guard, as Staff Sgt. Al Lanier instructs four young Soldiers. Lanier strictly examines their uniforms and their movement in the guard-change ceremony and manual of arms in an attempt to instill a steel resolve.

"If you take for granted the things we're telling you, we'll make you pay for it later, and that's just going to be more sweat for you," Lanier is heard saying to the aspiring Tomb Guards. The Tomb Guard badge is the rarest badge in the Army after the Army Astronaut badge.

Arlington National Cemetery has a history dating to the Civil War, and official historian Tom Sherlock relates his view of the burial ground.

"Each and every one of these stones represents a story -- someone has had an impact on our American history," Sherlock relates. "It's that cumulative weaving of the fabric that makes Arlington so special. The hallowing factor is each and every person's grave here. Every day, history is added to this cemetery."

The society is joining forces with the Library of Congress's Veteran's History Project this month, in honor of Veterans Day, to tell the story of veterans in the new book, "Voices of War," to be released Thursday.

A Marine is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
(photo by Tom Mani)

For Old Guard, tradition and transformation
Nation’s oldest infantry unit changes priorities, training

By Patricia Kime
Special to the Times

This article is reprinted courtesy of “The Army Times,” which ran it in its Nov. 1, 2004 edition.

FT. A.P. Hill, Virginia - The planes land at Dover Air Force Base, Del., and Sgt. Stephen Kuehn is there to greet one. A member of the Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, Kuehn usually serves as a “solo” or “dragman” on a six- to eight-man coffin team, pulling caskets from hearses at Fort Myer, Va., and Arlington National Cemetery.

But at Dover on Oct. 16, Kuehn and a small group from the 3rd Infantry are there to meet the Army’s war dead. They are charged with moving the caskets onto U.S. soil, and in a powerful and unseen ceremony, they welcome home soldiers for a final time.

“There is no family, no cameras, just this intensity,” Kuehn said. “I wish I didn’t have to do it, but I love doing it. It’s a tremendous honor.”

When Kuehn arrived at the 3rd U.S. Infantry in late 2002, he wanted to take part in the ceremonies for which The Old Guard is famous — funerals, parades and pageants.

He didn’t anticipate duty at Dover or taking part in 18 to 20 funerals a day.

And he certainly never thought he’d deploy to a combat zone for seven months. But he did.

Like the rest of the Army, The Old Guard and its long traditions are transforming.

The 3rd U.S. Infantry is shifting personnel assignments, changing priorities and improving training to meet missions in the manner expected of the Army’s official ceremonial unit, regimental commander Col. Charles Taylor said.

“This is a critical time.” Taylor said. “Like every other unit, we’re making it every day, fighting through.”

The Old Guard, a unit known chiefly for its round-the-clock sentry of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and for standing duty at the White House, saw its mainly ceremonial function vaporize as American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

The unit’s immediate ready company, headquartered just yards away, responded to the disaster along with local emergency services. The Old Guard had always had a contingency mission in the Washington, D.C. area, but until then, it rarely had been called.

After that day, the unit found itself as a first line of defense in a war where there are no front lines.

“We’re forward deployed,” Taylor said. “Washington is our area of responsibility.”

Among the first changes Taylor made when he arrived at The Old Guard in June 2003 was to redefine the unit’s mission statement. It was reworded to reflect the changing military environment of Washington: “On order, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment deploys by air or land to conduct [nuclear, biological and chemical] operations, conduct area security operations and control civil disturbances in support of the Military District of Washington’s Defense of the National Capital Region. Conduct joint and Army ceremonies and funerals in order to represent the U.S. Army and the military.”

Taylor’s revision was adopted, and soldiers like Kuehn began noticing changes.

“When I first got here, the focus was ceremonies. It was fast and furious, and it was what we trained for,” Kuehn said.

As the Army’s oldest infantry unit, The Old Guard has always been required to maintain its infantry skills. It trains at Fort A.P. Hill near Bowling Green, Va., and its companies go annually to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., to play the role of opposing forces.

But Taylor has increased infantry training and is rearranging ceremonial training to provide more time for operations and battle skills.

“That’s been the big challenge,” he said, “to find what’s the right balance and do the right training to create a level of capability,” Taylor said.

The war on terrorism has touched every Army unit, and The Old Guard has not been spared. In December 2003, Bravo Company deployed to Djibouti to provide security details for joint peacekeeping operations there.

And 25 of the unit’s NCOs were transferred out to other combat units for potential deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. In their place, 25 combat units joined up at The Old Guard.

The orders came as a surprise to a unit that hadn’t deployed since the Vietnam War. Some military analysts questioned whether the deployment of a ceremonial unit signaled that the Army was stretched beyond capability. But Taylor says the deployment meant the Army was simply “fighting smart.”

“We should look at it like, ‘We have this capability, and we are using it as it’s supposed to be used,’” he said.

Bravo Company’s deployment took it out of the ceremonial and funeral duty rotation, increasing the operations tempo for other Old Guard soldiers. Alpha, Charlie and Delta companies picked up the slack, pushing themselves at Arlington , local funerals, military ceremonies, parades, retirements and the new job at Dover.

Then, President Reagan passed away. And The Old Guard stepped up again.

“When the call came, our guys were on a plane within hours,” Taylor said.

But to keep pace with demand, Taylor realized The Old Guard needed to change. So he initiated what he says is the unit’s “largest reorganization in 30 years.”

The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment stood up a new battalion headquarters — 1st Battalion, 3rd U.S. Infantry — in August to handle day-to-day training and operations.

That reduced the number of evening military parades the unit held last summer and sent fewer members on its Spirit of America road show. The Fort Myer Military Police Company became the 289th Military Police Company, which will train the MPs to take part in ceremonial duties.

And The Old Guard is revamping its four-week ceremonial duty training.

“We are working very hard to get the right cycles, to have the proper amount of preparation, operations time and recovery,” Taylor said.

Despite the heavy load, morale in the unit remains high, said Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Wimbrough, noting that the unit surpassed its first term re-enlistment goal by 25 percent and continues to send up to four soldiers a year to Officer Candidate School.

Soldiers continue to volunteer, and his unit now has representatives from every combat unit in the Army, Wimbrough said.

“The soldiers are motivated by just being a part of the Old Guard.”

Kuehn remains excited about his job. Recently promoted, he is now in charge of some soldiers, and he welcomes the chance to train with them in the field and in the cemetery.

“It’s been a whirlwind since we got back” from Djibouti, Kuehn said.

Despite the new emphasis on infantry training, The Old Guard won’t lose the spit and polish America expects to see, Taylor said. The soldiers realize the importance of the unit’s symbolic role.

“When my dad brought me here when I was a kid, he pointed to a soldier at the Tomb of the Unknowns and said, ‘That is what right looks like,’” Taylor recalled.

“That’s the essence of the Army. We are the Army. We are what right looks like.”

Old Guard Soldiers join a joint-service team as they remove President Ronald Reagan's casket and begin to move it into his presidential library in California. The Old Guard's involvement in the state funeral is one of the unit's many ceremonial duties. (Photo by Spc. Jeremy A. Kern)

Old Guard surpasses retention goals, holds achievement ceremony

by Spc. Eric M. McKeeby
Old Guard Public Affairs
October 15, 2004

FT. MYER, Virginia - Joined by the commanding general of the Military District of Washington, the Old Guard celebrated exceeded unit retention goals at an achievement ceremony held at the Fort Myer Dining Facility Wednesday.

The awards ceremony, attended by Major Gen. Galen B. Jackman, MDW Commander, marked the first time the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment has surpassed its retention goals in ten years.

Retention allows the unit to foster future leaders, said Col. Chuck Taylor, regimental commander.

“From these ranks will come the sergeants major who will support our battalion and brigade in the year 2015,” Taylor said.

The number of Soldiers signing new contracts to extend their Army commitment time increased because of amplified Soldier-leadership interaction, said Staff Sgt. Michael Jensen, a career counselor at the Old Guard’s retention center.

“Retention is a direct result of leadership, and the more involvement Soldiers have with their leadership, the more retention is going to increase,” Jensen said.

Taylor also cited dedicated leadership as the foundation for improved unit retention.

“The single most important factor was the total involvement and commitment from our junior noncommissioned officers who were guided by our retention NCOs and every one of our commanding officers,” Taylor said.

Jensen said goals were exceeded in each of three extension categories for fiscal year 2004, all honored at Wednesday’s ceremony.

The Old Guard achieved 108 percent of its goal for initial term Soldiers by having 117 Soldiers re-up during the year. The unit reenlisted 107 percent of its intended mid-career target and 111 percent of the “Career Soldier” goal.

“Meeting our unit goals says a lot about the character and quality of Soldiers who have recommitted themselves to serving their country, especially in a time of war,” Taylor said.

The regiment awarded the “High Roller” award, recognition of the top reenlistment achievement, to Bravo Company, of the Old Guard’s 1st battalion.

Bravo Company, which recently returned from an eight-month deployment to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, surpassed its reenlistment objective by 161 percent this year.

Jenkins said retention benefits the unit and the Army in numerous ways, each stemming from keeping professionals on the jobs in which they are competent.

“Without retention you don’t have subject-matter experts to counsel Soldiers,” Jensen said.
Agreeing with Jenkins, Taylor said retention is invaluable to future Army success.

“There’s nothing more important than growing and developing our Soldiers, and retention is at the heart of keeping our Army the best in the world,” Taylor said.

(l-r) Col. Chuck Taylor, regimental commander of the Old Guard, and Command Sgt. Major Harry Wimbrough, regimental command sergeant major, present Staff Sgt. Yuri Camesi and Capt. Blair J. Sawyer with the "Early Bird" award. The award honors Headquarters and Headquarters Company for being the first company in the regiment to meet its retention goals for fiscal year 2004.

Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 11:19 AM

Old Guard holds ‘Organization Day’ with ceremony, competitions
by Spc. Eric M. McKeeby
Old Guard Public Affairs
October 5, 2004

FT. MYER, Virginia - Soldiers of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” rallied Friday to commemorate the unit’s annual “Organization Day” event with barbecue, sport competitions and a battle remembrance ceremony on Fort Myer.

The day began with a Summerall Field observance of the Battle of Monterey, a combat struggle that left the unit with heavy casualties in 1846. The battle, one of many fought by the unit during the War with Mexico, also brought numerous citations for bravery and merit to the unit.

Old Guard has marked the anniversary of the battle by holding Organization Day events since 1920.

“The Battle of Monterey is a defining moment in the regiment’s history,” said Col. Chuck Taylor, Old Guard Regimental Commander.

“This is a great day to celebrate the heritage of The Old Guard and an opportunity for all the companies to compete on a different type of field of honor,” said Taylor.

After the ceremony and a post run by the regiment’s 1-3 battalion, several sporting events were staged in a field adjacent to Tenza Terrace. Soldiers competed in company teams in events such as basketball, softball and football for the Commander’s Cup, an honor bestowed to the most successful company at each year’s competitions.

“It think it’s awesome to be out here competing,” said Spc. Daniel Smith, a military policeman who represented the 289th MP Company in the football and tug-of-war competitions.

The company teams completed the sports competitions by mid-afternoon, and a commander-first sergeant relay race, won by the 289th MP Co., ended the Commander’s Cup events.

With a tally of points based on rankings in each sport, Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Company placed first and claimed the Commander’s Cup title.

This is the first time the company has won the award in six years.

“It is only because of the effort of every individual soldier up to the leaders that made this happen,” said CPT. Blair J. Sawyer, commander of HHC.

Sawyer, who recently took command of the company, said victory was especially significant considering the diversity of occupations in the company.

“This just goes to show that no matter how large the company and no matter what the skill level, one vision or one goal can be accomplished,” said Sawyer.

First Sgt. Robert Watson, who has been the HHC first sergeant for two and a half years, said he was amazed by the victory.

“It was a pleasant surprise to be a victor considering the team did not have a lot of practice time,” Watson said.

Throughout the day, Soldiers ate food grilled by their colleagues and leaders, including Taylor. Taylor served “TOG Burgers,” so named, he said, because they are a double-sized burger for a double-sized regiment.

The opportunity to participate in casual camaraderie with fellow Soldiers and leaders was a welcome break from the unit’s strict schedule of missions and training, Soldiers said.

“This is all great, spending a little relaxed time with everyone,” said Pfc. Juan Rendon, a motor pool Soldier in HHC. “It makes you feel like you’re part of a big team, and it’s great to be part of the winning team.”

First Sergeants from Old Guard companies prepare to take off at the start of the Commander-First Sergeant relay race at Organization Day. The race, which was won by the 289th MP Company, involved companies' leaders and Soldiers in a final showdown.

Leading the best
by Pfc. Justin Nieto
MDW News Service
September 13, 2004

ARLINGTON, Virginia - The sign on the door of the small office in a corner of the Tomb Quarters near the Tomb of the Unknowns reads “Sergeant of the Guard.” Inside, Sgt. 1st Class Richard Schuck sheds light on his position and what it takes to lead the Tomb Sentinels.

Unlike the Soldiers he leads, Schuck’s position in the Tomb of the Unknowns can’t be volunteered for; he had to be selected.

“I was selected to be the Sergeant of the Guard by the [Old Guard] Regimental Commander and the Regimental Sergeant Major,” said Schuck. Although he had never served as a Sentinel himself, “I was honored to have been selected to serve as the Sergeant of the Guard in the most prestigious job you can possibly have in today’s modern Army.”

Due to the high visibility and the special nature of the position, Schuck had to make special adjustments for his new assignment.

“It was an uneasy feeling to some degree,” said Schuck. “I know how to be a leader and I know how to lead Soldiers, I know how to take care of Soldiers, I know how to motivate Soldiers, but I came in here needing to learn myself.

“I had to basically be like a sponge and absorb as much information as I could on everything from how to shine my shoes to putting the bill up on my hat and learning how to walk like a Sentinel,” continued Schuck.

Schuck is also the designated wreath bearer for visiting heads of state, foreign dignitaries and the president of the United States for wreath-laying ceremonies, which occur often at the Tomb.
“It’s quite an honor to be able to represent this nation, our Soldiers and the Army by being able to be the wreath bearer for such respectful people,” said Schuck.

Dealing with the public and their view of the Tomb on a regular basis is also a new everyday duty for the career infantryman.

“I think the public is amazed at what actually goes on down here, what the Sentinels do, what time it takes and what dedication Soldiers must have in order to perform in this platoon,” said Schuck.
Schuck said that might also be why there is a lot of misinformation as well, speaking of the many myths circulating the Internet and newspapers about the life of a Tomb Sentinel.

“That’s why, as often as possible, we have tour groups down here to educate the public on what goes on behind the scenes and what this place really stands for,” said Schuck.

Rumors, as they often tend to do, reached extremes, stating sentinels aren’t allowed to:
· Consume any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
· Swear in public for the rest of their lives.
· Tomb Badges were only awarded after the Tomb Sentinels two years of service.
· During their first six months of duty, a Sentinel cannot speak to anyone or watch television on or off duty.
· Sentinels spend 5 hours in front of a mirror preparing their uniform before each workday.
As for alcohol, the Sentinels adhere to the same rules as the rest of the Army: Only when of legal age and not in uniform, said Schuck.

“They should not swear in public and will not ever disgrace the uniform as well,” said Schuck, who continued, saying a Tomb Sentinel’s time spent on their uniforms varies and does not have a set number of hours the guard must spend on it.

As for the Tomb Badge, and the amount of time necessary to earn it, Schuck said that also depends on the Soldier.

“Whether it takes five months or eight months, if they meet the standards set forward, then they will earn their badge and become a full fledged Tomb Guard,” said Schuck.

To meet those standards, the Soldier must consistently get better and smarter about the Tomb and his potential duty as a Tomb Sentinel, going through a series of tests, three in all, until he has perfected his uniform and knowledge of the Tomb. Sentinels generally average about six months before they are ready to take the final badge test, according to Schuck.

And as Sergeant of the Guard, Schuck makes it his duty to attend each and every training test and badge test for all of his Soldiers. Thinking like most noncommissioned officers in the Army, Schuck puts his Soldiers first and makes sure they are taken care of. He knows that they can then make sure the Unknowns are properly honored and their Tomb taken care of.

Ronald Reagan, 1911 - 2004
State Funeral Procession, 9 June 2004

On 1 February 2003, Ken Poch, after spending 41 years as a SPC4, was promoted to SGT (E5) (honorary) during the Tomb Quarters Open House.

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