Honor guard

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An honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow

An honor guard, or guard of honor, is a ceremonial escort.

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[edit] United States

The Honor Guard in the United States traces its beginnings back to May 1948 when Headquarters Command, United States Air Force was instructed to develop plans for an elite ceremonial unit comparable to those of the other armed services. As a result, a ceremonial unit was activated within the Air Police Squadron in September 1948 with an authorized strength of 98 enlisted and 2 officers. However, due to transfers and personnel attrition, the end of the year found the Ceremonial Detachment, for all practical purposes, disbanded. It wasn't until March 1949 that sufficient personnel were assigned to enable the unit to function.

The Ceremonial Detachment continued to be assigned to the Air Police Squadron, which, in the course of several re-designations eventually evolved into the 1100th Security Police Squadron until December 1971. Finally, on 01 January 1972, the Honor Guard came into its own as a separate unit and was authorized 147 enlisted and 3 officers.

This description represents the beginning of the Air Force Honor Guard, but every branch has their own Honor Guard, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. The official Honor Guard of every branch is based in Washington D.C., though every military base has their own independant Honor Guard with seperate standards than that of the official Honor Guard based in D.C.. The Honor Guard in D.C. represent the military as a whole and the nation as well as the president with much higher physical, disciplinary, and appearance standards than those of the base honor guard. The base Honor Guard represent their base.

Today's Honor Guard is comprised of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity. Only those persons who are highly motivated and maintained an exceptionally high standard of appearance, conduct, and aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered.

The primary purpose of the Honor Guard is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades. Mandated by Congress, every deceased veteran has the right to military burial honors.

The Honor Guard also serves as the "Guardians of the Colors". They present a nation's colors for various ceremonies both on and off base. When requested, they present members retiring from the military their retirement flag.

Additionally, the Honor Guard serve as ambassadors on base and within their local community, presenting a positive image while assisting with the recruiting effort.

Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded by the 3rd U.S. Infantry.