Nine recruits from Recruit Training Command (RTC) were recently selected for the Navy Ceremonial Guard.

Each month, recruiting officials from the Navy Ceremonial Guard visit RTC to conduct interviews and make selections from a pool of interested recruits to join their ranks.

The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard has been part of Navy history since 1931 as they were first established as a temporary ceremonial detail at the Naval Gun Factory. They are stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and provide service in Presidential, Joint Armed Services, Navy, and public ceremonies including local and national holidays, armed forces observances, ship commissioning ceremonies, changes of command, and retirements.

Members of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard are comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers, and firing party.

"We had 33 recruits interested in joining the guard; 25 of them were interviewed," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Malart Cunningham, U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Recruiting staff member. "In addition to looking at appearance, height, posture and confidence when selecting guard members, we also like to bring recruits with different backgrounds to bring in different aspects of life to the command."

Performing in numerous Joint Service and Navy ceremonies, the colors platoon members are hand selected. They must meet the 6 foot 2 inch height criteria and show an exceptional aptitude for military bearing.

Casket bearers carry the Navy's past to their resting ground. Whether it is in Arlington National Cemetery, or another veteran's cemetery, their mission is honoring those who have come before us.

The firing party renders the 21 Gun Salute, the signature honor of military funerals, during every Navy Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cunningham is impressed by both the recruits and recruit division commanders (RDC) during their visits.

"We come here each month and are amazed at the number of recruits who are willing to make a life-changing decision over a 30 minute presentation," said Cunningham. "We are also impressed by all the support the RDCs gives us in communicating with the recruits and helping us in the selection process."

Prior to visits to RTC, the ceremonial guard works with the command's coordinators to alert the RDCs to reach out to their recruits.

"We are responsible for distributing the notice of the guards visit along with disseminating what prerequisites they are looking for before the interview," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Lindsey Cary, the RTC coordinator for the Ceremonial Guard visits. "This includes screening to find the recruits that meet their high standards and ensuring that only selected rates are able to tryout and avoid conflict with the manning in the fleet."

Seaman Recruit Raymond Miller, from Sonora, California, joined the Navy to be a hospital corpsman.

"I had no idea that the opportunity to join the ceremonial guard would be made available; I thought it was its own rate," said Miller. "When my RDC gave our division the details about the guard, I decided it was a path I wanted to take. I am so happy and grateful that I was selected."

Honored and amazed was the response from Seaman Recruit Jacob Grade, from Gig Harbor, Washington, upon learning the news that he was selected. He joined the Navy as an undesignated seaman.

"I joined the Navy wanting to be part of the ceremonial guard, but, I didn't think I would have the opportunity to do so," said Grade. "I remember watching the ceremonial guard with my grandfather, who is a retired chief. I was very impressed."

After being selected, the recruits will forego their follow-on Apprentice "A" school training for two years and report to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling to embark on an intensive 10-week training program before they are considered a guardsman.

For more information on the U.S. Ceremonial Guard, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/ndw/about/ceremonial_guard.html

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.