Honor guard
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An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial escort, often military in nature, usually composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity. Only those persons who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct and show aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered. The primary purpose of an honor guard is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.
An honor guard may also serve as the "guardians of the colors". They present a nation's colors for various ceremonies and official state functions, both on and off base. Additionally, honor guards serve as ambassadors to the public, presenting a positive image of their service, and assisting with the recruiting effort.
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[edit] United States
Each military branch has their own honor guard: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Most state national guard units have a ceremonial guard as well. The official honor guard of every branch is based in Washington, D.C., though nearly every military installation will have their own honor guard for local ceremonies and events. The honor guard units in Washington, D.C. represent the military as a whole and the United States as a nation, and perform numerous ceremonies on behalf of the President of the United States.
Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded by the U.S. 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
[edit] Three volley salute
The 3-volley salute is a salute performed at military and police funerals as part of the drill and ceremony of the Honor Guard.
A rifle party usually has an odd number of members from 3 to 7. The firearm used is typically a rifle, but at some police funerals, shotguns are used. The party stands so that the muzzles are pointed over the casket. If the service is being performed indoors, the firing party stands outside the building, often near the front entrance.
On the command of the NCO-in-charge, the party fires their weapons three times in unison. United States military parties use modified M1 or M14 rifles with their semi-automatic gas action disabled. These are preferred over the current issue M16 rifle because the charging handles of the M1/M14 are more easily operated in a dignified, ceremonial manner than on the M16.
The three-volley salute is not to be confused with the 21-gun salute (or 19-gun or 17-gun, etc) which uses a battery of artillery pieces.
