WASHINGTON ― Joint Task Force – National Capital Region announces military participation for the 57th Presidential Inaugural parade.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee officially announced several selections of Inaugural Parade participants, including military organizations, Dec. 18. Military support is designed to provide appropriate honors to the commander in chief, recognize civilian control of the military and celebrate democracy.
Traditionally, military units from each of the five branches have marched in the Presidential escort and in the Inaugural Parade. More than 2,100 military personnel will be marching in the Inaugural Parade, with approximately 5,000 supporting the inauguration all together.
Additionally, for the current inauguration, 2,807 groups applied to march in the parade. All applications were collected and organized by JTF-NCR and 317 were submitted to the PIC, which is appointed by the President-Elect. These applications were reviewed by the PIC with assistance of the JTF-NCR, including members of several military bands, musical acts and drill teams.
“The Inauguration day parade is the largest, most complicated event that takes place in the nation’s capital, which requires a multitude of mission partners to work together,” said Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, JTF– NCR commanding general. “The role of the military in this event is one of support. We are here to support the Presidential Inauguration Committee, Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, and the other civilian agencies.”
Service members involved in the 2013 Presidential Inauguration represent an integrated Total Force - Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen - proudly serving their country at home and around the world. This support comprises musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons, which render appropriate ceremonial honors to the commander in chief.
Below is the complete list of military organizations selected to participate on Jan. 21, 2013:
Military support to the Presidential Escort
JTF-NCR senior service representatives led by Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington
Joint Staff led by Col. James C. Markert, commander 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment
The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own), led by Drum Major, Master Sgt. Scott Little
3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
U.S. Marine Corps. Ceremonial Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington
Armed Forces Color Guard
U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard
The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps led by Drum Major Master Sgt. William White
The Commander and Chief's Guard
The Presidential Escort is often viewed by the general public as part of the Inaugural Parade. However, the Presidential Escort is actually a smaller, distinct procession that, in addition to the President and Vice President, includes the U.S. Army Band, Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps., Honor Platoons for each of the armed services, and the Armed Forces Color Guard.
There are five distinct parade divisions and each division is comprised of various elements of the five armed services.
Division 1
U.S. Army, Staff comprising academy, active, guard and reserve members
The U.S. Army Field Band
The U.S. Military Academy Marching Company, West Point, N.Y.
The U.S. Army Marching Company, 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, 82d Airborne Division, Fort. Bragg, N.C.
The U.S. Army Color Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry
The U.S. Army National Guard, D.C. National Guard
The U.S. Army Reserve, 200th Military Police Command, Fort Meade, Md.
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
Division 2
U.S. Marine Corps, Staff comprising active and reserve members
The U.S. Marine Band (The President’s Own)
The U.S. Marine Corps Marching Company, Ceremonial Guard Company
The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Marching Company
Division 3
U.S. Navy, Staff comprising academy, active, guard and reserve members
The U.S. Navy Band
The U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard
The U.S. Navy Color Guard
The U.S. Navy Reserve
Division 4
U.S. Air Force, Staff comprising academy, active, guard and reserve members
The U.S. Air Force Band
The U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard
The U.S. Air Force Color Guard
The U.S. Air National Guard, 113th Wing, D.C Air National Guard
The U.S. Air Force Reserve, 459th Air Refueling Wing
Division 5
U.S. Coast Guard, Staff comprising academy, active and reserve members
The U.S. Coast Guard Band
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.
The U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Staff Element
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Color Guard
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
In addition the PIC has selected the following military elements as representatives of their home states: the 81st Reserve Support Command Wildcats Color Guard, Fort Jackson, S.C. in historic World War I era uniforms.
Military involvement in the Presidential Inauguration is a centuries-old tradition. The U.S. military has participated in this important American tradition since April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony at Federal Hall in New York.
For more information on JTF-NCR visit www.dvidshub.net/units/JTF-NCR and www.facebook.com/jointtaskforceNCR#!/jointtaskforceNCR. For more information on the Presidential Inaugural Committee visit http://2013pic.org/.