JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Attendees at the Joint Service Open House had a rare opportunity to meet with members of the Army's historic Old Guard. The Old Guard is known to millions of Americans as the sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a duty they have been performing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since 1948.
The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as the "The Old Guard", is the oldest active-duty infantry regiment in the Army, serving our nation since 1784.
The Old Guard perform such duties as rendering final honors to America's fallen comrades at Arlington National Cemetery, conducting the dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base as our Nation's fallen heroes return home, serve as the official Army Honor Guard and Escort to the President in addition to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sgt. 1st Class John Rhoten, who is in charge of casket teams, described serving with the Old Guard as the "ultimate honor" for Army service members. "Most people don't realize how much time and effort is required to prepare and train to perform our ceremonial duties", he said. Rhoten served a combat tour in Iraq and stated that a majority of Old Guard Soldiers are either coming from or going to deploying units.
Spc. Carmine Agrifoglio serves as a mortarman and a member of the Presidential Salute Battery which renders honors to visiting dignitaries and fires salutes during many funerals at Arlington National Cemetary. Agrifoglio also noted the rigorous training and preparation required to perform his duties. "It takes a great deal of training to learn all of the rounds and types of fire required for the various salutes", he said.
Agrifolgio stated one of his most rewarding experiences with the Old Guard is participating in the performance of the 1812 Overture during Independence Day festivities at the Capitol. "We fire our guns on every drumbeat (of the 1812 Overture) which has been one of my most memorable experiences with the Old Guard" he said.
It was evident to JSOH attendees who visited with members of the Old Guard that truly the best are selected to serve in this distinguished regiment. Behind every ceremony and function the Old Guard perform countless hours of training are required to obtain the flawless standards they expect of themselves.