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

JTF-NCR/USAMDW

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.

About The Old Guard

The 3d U.S. Infantry, 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 Infantry'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, 3d Infantry 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 3d Infantry 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 Infantry led a successful bayonet charge against the enemy at Cerro Gordo. Today, this distinction is still reserved for The Old Guard alone.

1ST BATTALION, 3D US INFANTRY REGIMENT

The 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation's citizens and the world. On order, conducts defense support of civil authorities in the National Capital Region.

To contact the unit please call the Battalion Staff Duty at 703-696-3949. DSN Prefix is 426-XXXX

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4TH BATTALION, 3D US INFANTRY REGIMENT

The 4th Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation's citizens and the world.

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HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
3D U.S. INFANTRY REGIMENT

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment conducts official Joint and Army ceremonies within the North Capital Region and the Military District of Washington. Support memorial affairs and special events both nationally and internationally, to represent the U.S. Army and the Nation.

Company CQ desk: 703-696-5931. DSN Prefix is 426-XXXX

  • Constituted 3 June 1784 in the Regular Army as the First American Regiment to consist of companies from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
  • Organized August-September 1784 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (New York and Connecticut companies organized in 1785)
  • Redesignated 29 September 1789 as the Regiment of Infantry
  • Redesignated 3 March 1791 as the 1st Infantry
  • Redesignated in 1792 as the Infantry of the 1st Sub-Legion
  • Redesignated 31 October 1796 as the 1st Infantry
  • Consolidated May-October 1815 with the 5th Infantry (constituted 12 April 1808), the 17th Infantry (constituted 11 January 1812), the 19th Infantry (constituted 26 June 1812), and the 28th Infantry (constituted 29 January 1813) to form the 3d Infantry
  • Consolidated August-December 1869 with part of the 37th Infantry (see ANNEX) and consolidated unit designated as the 3d Infantry

    ANNEX
  • Constituted 3 May 1861 in the Regular Army as the 3d Battalion, 19th Infantry
  • Organized May 1865-September 1866 at Fort Wayne, Michigan; Newport Barracks, Kentucky; and Fort Columbus, New York
  • Reorganized and redesignated 23 November 1866 as the 37th Infantry
  •  Part of the 37th Infantry consolidated August-December 1869 with the 3d Infantry and consolidated unit designated as the 3d Infantry (remaining half of the 37th Infantry consolidated in June 1869 with the 5th Infantry and consolidated unit designated as the 5th Infantry--hereafter separate lineage)
  • (2d and 3d Battalions inactivated 18 November 1921 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota; activated 8 June 1922 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota)
  • Assigned 24 March 1923 to the 7th Division
  • Relieved 15 August 1927 from assignment to the 7th Division and assigned to the 6th Division
  • Relieved 1 October 1933 from assignment to the 6th Division and assigned to the 7th Division
  • Relieved 16 October 1939 from assignment to the 7th Division and assigned to the 6th Division
  • Relieved 10 May 1941 from assignment to the 6th Division
  • (1st Battalion inactivated 1 June 1941 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; activated 14 February 1942 in Newfoundland)
  • (2d Battalion [less Headquarters and Headquarters Company] inactivated 1 September 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota [Headquarters and Headquarters Company concurrently inactivated in Greenland]; battalion activated 22 October 1943 at Camp Butner, North Carolina)
  • Inactivated 20 November 1946 in Germany
  • Regiment (less 2d Battalion) activated 6 April 1948 at Fort Myer, Virginia (2d Battalion concurrently activated at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.)
  • Reorganized 1 July 1957 as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System
  • Withdrawn 16 January 1986 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 3d Infantry Regiment
Regimental Command Group
Soldier in dress uniform with US Flag and Army flag in the background
COL David B. Rowland
Regimental Commander

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Latino man with black and grey hair wearing Army dark service uniform with many multicolored ribbons and gold-colored stripes on his sleeve is posing in front of the US flag and another flag that has dozens of ribbons coming from the top.
CSM Roberto Guadarrama
Regimental Sergeant Major

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Specialty Platoons

Caisson Platoon

Soldiers in dark winter weather uniforms are riding dark horses that are pulling a dark caisson down an asphalt road. There is snow on the nearby trees and ground, and it is snowing.

Continental Color Guard

Soldiers dressed in Revolutionary War-era uniforms (dark blue with red trim coats, cream-colored pants and dark with white trim tri-colored hats) are marching toward the camera carrying a mix of rifles and flags. In the background are audience members.

Fife and Drum Corps

Army soldiers in red Revolutionary War-era uniforms at marching towards the camera. The member in front has a large, dark furry hat on, and is carrying a long stick that looks like a spear. The other members are carrying various instruments.

Presidential Salute Battery

Army soldiers in dark ceremonial uniforms are firing black cannons that are placed on a green lawn.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Woman in an Army dress uniform is carrying a rifle with bayonet affixed in front of her body diagonally while marching.

Army Drill Team

Soldiers dressed in dark ceremonial uniforms (dark coats with gold buttons, dark wheel hats and white gloves) are tossing rifles into the air. The rifles have silver bayonets affixed.
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.