|
|
Information > Fact Sheets > Cadet Honor Guard
CADET HONOR GUARD
Posted 4/13/2009
Printable Fact Sheet
The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Honor Guard is a prestigious cadet unit, drawing less than 2 percent of the cadet wing as its members. Steeped in tradition, the Cadet Honor Guard was founded in 1974 primarily to function as an exhibition drill unit. Since then, it has expanded its mission to perform such details as color guard, flag details, funeral honors, and everything is done in demonstration of their strong sense of pride, dedication and purpose.
Originally a separate team, the U.S. Air Force Academy Sabre Drill Team was formed in 1961 through cadets' initiative. Their primary mission was to demonstrate professional military skills through the performance of intricate sabre manual. Throughout the years, their exhibitions have demonstrated a high degree of military excellence and the dedication necessary to perform precision sabre routines. They have proven to be one of the Academy's most visible organizations and have been in many events, including social functions, honorary ceremonies, sporting events, parades and intercollegiate drill competitions. Their mission also accommodates several details, including VIP cordons and wedding arches.
In 2004, the Cadet Honor Guard and Sabre Drill Team were reorganized into a single unit. The reformed Cadet Honor Guard is made up of approximately 70 cadets, both male and female, with each class year providing 14 to 20 cadets as part of the unit. The new team is organized similarly to an active duty squadron and is divided into three flights: rifle drill flight, sabre drill flight and details flight.
While also serving full-time as the primary training cadre for the fourth-class cadets, the upper class cadets on the team perform all ceremonial and funeral honors for the Cadet Wing as well as numerous ceremonies for local, national and sometimes international communities. In addition, upper class cadets maintain an exhibition drill unit to perform nationally while the fourth-class cadets are still learning the skills to properly represent the Academy.
As a fourth-class cadet on the team, the main duty is learning basic drill, leadership, and teamwork skills. At the end of the fourth-degree year new team members will choose which flight they would like to specialize in and be given the chance of competing and winning national competitions. The Cadet Honor Guard has won numerous titles for its excellence in military inspection, regulation drill, exhibition drill and sabre drill along with awards for outstanding fourth-class commanders.
The Cadet Honor Guard is a unit with many service missions. The team serves the Cadet Wing by providing ceremonial detail support. Because of their precision and versatility, they are quickly gaining recognition in civilian as well as military circles by performing ceremonial details and winning exhibition drill competitions around the nation. They serve the local and national communities by providing an opportunity for the public to see the discipline and precision that cadets learn while attending the institution.
(Current as of April 2009)
| |
|
|
|
| |
| About the AcademyOther Academy Sites |
|
|
| |
|
|
