On Guard in the National Capital Region: Where Boots on the Ground Also 'Dress Right, Dress'

Army, Oct 2007 by Rowe, Richard J Jr

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW) serves the nation and the Army from within the National Capital Region (NCR), sometimes in the public eye and sometimes not.

This direct reporting unit has answered the call to duty in many ways since its establishment in 1921 as the District of Washington, later the 16th Brigade, Washington Provisional Brigade, and then in World War II as the Military District of Washington.

No tourist's visit here is complete without photographs that capture one or more of the unique roles this command fulfills, be it the reverential changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, a patriotic outdoor Twilight Tattoo concert performance, or the respectful ceremonial Memorial Day and Veterans Day national observances. This command's role also encompasses Joint ceremonial missions such as the inauguration ceremony of an elected President and Commander in Chief, as well as state funeral honors for a former President and his family.

The mission of MDW is to conduct operations that deter, prevent and respond to threats aimed here in the National Capital Region as well as to conduct world-class ceremonial, musical and special events. As observed during the recent state funeral for former President Ford, these two mission characteristics can be closely linked.

Rendering honors at interment ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery; receiving repatriated remains of fallen servicemembers and civilians from Iraq and Afghanistan at Dover Air Force Base, Del.; and assisting returning wounded at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., remind this command that we are an Army at war.

This awareness fuels our drive to remain focused on this parallel mission, while maintaining situational vigilance and the highest professional standards.

The message that we are an Army at war is also carried to the American public through the special qualifications of the U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), whose 1st Battalion has one of its four line companies deployed to the Horn of Africa in support of the global war on terrorism.

In addition to official performances that range from senior leader change-of-command ceremonies to visits from heads of state, soldiers of the Army Band and the 3rd Infantry Regiment stay routinely in the public eye and ear through a broad range of outreach events numbering in the hundreds during the course of the year. These Army ambassadors - singly and in teams, details, ensembles and formations - reveal the professionalism and expertise of the Army while epitomizing its strength of character and soul.

The professionalism witnessed during The Old Guard's ceremonial performances is rich in Army tradition and presents an impressive image that extends around the globe. The discipline and solemnity the soldiers display awe millions of American and foreign spectators who witness the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Caisson Platoon, the Presidential Salute Gun Battery, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps or the U.S. Army Drill Team.

The world-class musicians of Pershing's Own keep bright its 85 years of service to the Army and nation with a year-round schedule of performances. Of significance are its New York City concerts at Trinity Church and Avery Fisher Hall, its Twilight Tattoos performances, its summer concerts capped by performance of the "1812 Overture," and the holiday contributions for the Pageant of Peace on the White House Ellipse and holiday concerts at nearby Constitution Hall.

Whether performing military honors at Arlington National Cemetery or entertaining the public during a "Spirit of America" performance, Pershing's Own and The Old Guard exemplify the values and professionalism that is today's Army.

No MDW unit reflects changes of the post-9/11 and post-Katrina world more than the multidisciplined Old Guard. To the American public and their fellow soldiers, the famous Old Guard remains the preeminent ceremonial unit of our armed forces, conducting hundreds of official ceremonies, funerals and special events annually. These proud infantry soldiers also remain trained and ready to conduct operations within the National Capital Region or to deploy in support of the global war on terrorism. Highlighting this proficiency is the recent deployment of Company D, 3rd Infantry Regiment, to the Horn of Africa, where it is providing security for humanitarian and antiterrorism efforts.

MDW's brigade-level Air Operations Group is the Army's principal aviation command in the NCR. Chartered to command and control the training and readiness of the U.S. Army Priority Air Transport's worldwide executive jet fleet, with the existing UH-60-equipped 12th Aviation Battalion, the Air Operations Group coordinates contingency military aviation operations in and around the NCR in support of civil authorities.

In addition to being the higher headquarters for both the 12th Aviation Battalion and the Priority Air Transport, the Air Operations Group serves as the Joint military aviation expert in the NCR, and radiates Army Aviation's overriding stress on safety in all operations to safety awareness programs in other aspects of soldiers' lives, such as motorcycle operations.