[Vision2020] Pentagon Channel Documentary Focuses on Storied 'Old Guard'

[Tom Hansen]

>From the American forces Press Service -

"Recon" documentary to the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment -- the Army's
"Old Guard" to air at 9:00 AM (Pacific Time), December 29, 2006 at

http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/

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By David Mays
Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 2006 - They are the very public face of ultimate
military discipline. They wow stadiums packed with football fans with
complex rifle drills. They honor fallen comrades with solemn processions.
They guard the Tomb of the Unknowns around the clock at Arlington National
Cemetery.  And on Dec. 15 they gave outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H.
Rumsfeld a full-honors farewell ceremony on the Pentagon parade field. 

Despite their high-profile mission, many people, even those who serve in the
military, have little idea what goes into becoming a member of this elite
unit. That's why the Pentagon Channel is devoting its latest half-hour
"Recon" documentary to the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment -- the Army's
"Old Guard." 

The show will debut Dec. 29 at noon Eastern Time and will be repeated
throughout January. It will also be available via podcast, vodcast and video
on demand. 

"We're a very unique organization," said Col. Robert Pricone, the 3rd
Guard's commanding officer. "We've got a very diverse mission set, and we
operate in the very sensitive environment of the National Capital Region." 

The unit is one of the Army's most challenging assignments to secure. "I
tried three times to get in," said Pentagon Channel News anchor Staff Sgt.
Jake Newman, who once served with the Old Guard as one of the unit's few
broadcasters. Applicants must meet rigorous requirements. Men must be at
least 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and women must be at least 5 feet, 8 inches.
High scores on both general technical and physical training tests are also
mandated. Once candidates are chosen for an Old Guard assignment, they must
undergo a month of intensive regimental training. 

"I've heard about it my whole life," said Spc. John Ball, a watchman on the
Old Guard's Presidential Salute Battery. "It's a prestigious unit, and I
just wanted to be part of the best." 

The Pentagon Channel takes viewers inside the Old Guard's headquarters at
Fort Myer, Va., adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, where the
Regiment's Caisson Unit ceremoniously transports caskets of fallen
servicemembers to their final resting place. 

"It's just so much an honor, being the person to present that flag to that
family," said Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Robertson. "Knowing that that soldier
that you are laying to rest has served this country well and gave so much
for this nation, and to be part of that is so much an honor." 

The documentary exposes viewers to little-known facts about the Old Guard,
such as that it is the only Army unit allowed to march with fixed bayonets.
This Recon program also explores the regiment's specialty platoons, who
perform painstakingly meticulous missions and wear unconventional uniforms
such as those originally designed by Gen. George Washington during the
Revolutionary War era. 

Pentagon Channel crews also were invited to tape sentinels at the Tomb of
the Unknowns after cemetery visiting hours, when rules for keeping watch are
much different from those in place when tourists are there during the day.
Viewers will learn fascinating details about the stunningly precise rules
Old Guard soldiers must follow as they perform their various duties. 

The Pentagon Channel had the rare opportunity to videotape Old Guard service
members as they practiced maneuvers under the extraordinarily demanding eyes
of drill masters. 

"Typically, we lose more than half the soldiers coming through the training
cycle," said Sgt. 1st Class Brent Thompson. "Every once in a while, you have
soldiers that have the ability to pick it up pretty quickly and pick up on
what we do, and some just will never get it." 

Pvt. Christopher Boovier, who is training to join the Old Guard, hopes he's
among that first group of soldiers. "I mean all the guys are cool, but if
you can't cut it, you can't cut it," he said. "I'm hoping that I get on. ...
Stuff happens sometimes, but I'm pretty confident."

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Pro patria, Liberandos.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
Son of Kermit "Peter" Hansen (former Bombardier, 515th Sqdn, 376th Bomb
Group)

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.