The 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade Participants Announced

WASHINGTON ― Joint Task Force – National Capital Region announces military participation for the 57^th 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, 3rd U.S. Infantry                    

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: Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard, Fort Riley, Kan. in historic cavalry uniforms, and 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 City.