3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

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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 is the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president, and it also provides security for Washington, D.C., in time of national emergency or civil disturbance.

3rd Infantry The Old Guard
About 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 is the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the president, and it also provides security for Washington, D.C., in time of national emergency or civil disturbance.

The unit received its unique name from Gen. Winfield Scott during a victory parade at Mexico City in 1847 following its valorous performance in the Mexican War. Fifty campaign streamers attest to the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment's long history of service, which spans from the Battle of Fallen Timbers to World War II and Vietnam.

Since World War II, The Old Guard has served as the official Army Honor Guard and escort to the President. In that capacity, Old Guard soldiers are responsible for conducting military ceremonies at the White House, the Pentagon, national memorials and elsewhere in the nation's capital. In addition, soldiers of The Old Guard maintain a 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns, provide military funeral escorts at Arlington National Cemetery and participate in parades at Fort Myer and Fort Lesley J. McNair.

The black-and-tan "buff strap" worn on the left shoulder by each member of The Old Guard is a replica of the knapsack strap used by 19th-century predecessors of the unit to display its distinctive colors and distinguish its members from other Army units. The present buff strap continues to signify an Old Guard soldier's pride in personal appearance and precision performance that has marked the unit for 200 years.

A further distinction of The Old Guard is the time-honored custom of passing in-review with fixed bayonets at all parades. This practice, officially sanctioned by the War Department in 1922, dates to the Mexican War in 1847 when the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment led a successful bayonet charge against the enemy at Cerro Gordo. Today, this distinction is still reserved for The Old Guard alone.

Regimental Command Group
Army Soldier in dark service uniform with numerous ribbons and badges affixed. Behind him are the US flag and Army flag with battle ribbons.
COL Thomas Kilbride
Regimental Commander

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The Old Guard Sergeant Major
CSM Nicholas P. Rockey
Regimental Sergeant Major

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Contact TOG

If you have any questions about The Old Guard, please feel free to contact the Regimental Staff Duty at 703-696-3003.

To request a TOUR please download this FORM and send it to USARMY JBM-HH MDW Mailbox TOG Tours.

Tour Requests must be submitted a minimum of 30 days out to ensure proper deconfliction of operations requirements and to protect Soldier’s time. Exceptions are handled on a case-by-case basis.

If you have any operational questions pertaining to The Old Guard, please feel free to contact the Regimental Operations Office.

If you are interested in conducting Honor Guard training with The Old Guard, please submit the following DD 2536 to the e-mail found in the form. 

If you have any questions, comments, corrections, or suggestions for The Old Guard, please feel free to contact Public Affairs Office.