MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Buford, Georgia, native completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.
Airman Caleb McCannon, a 2024 Madison County High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago.
"I joined the Navy to have a better future, career and overall life plan," said McCannon. "I joined to be someone my past self would have never been able to accomplish if I didn’t join the Navy."
Today, McCannon serves as a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guardsman.
Established in 1931, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official honor guard of the U.S. Navy and is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex in Washington, D.C.
According to Navy officials, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard’s primary mission is to represent the service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and public ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital. Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard participate in some of our nation’s most prestigious ceremonies, including Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for foreign officials.
Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand-selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination and timing.
The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers and firing party.
"We get to lay our fallen sailors to rest and pay them the respect they deserve for fighting for our country’s freedom, respect and commitment to be the very best," said McCannon.
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers.
"I am most proud of being Assistant Recruit Petty Officer in Charge of 109 recruits at Recruit Training Command," McCannon. "I am also proud of getting selected to the Ceremonial Guard being the only sailor chosen out of 943 sailors to be selected for this command."
As McCannon and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy to help give my brother and sisters a better world to live in," added McCannon. "To have the same freedom I had growing up. I have learned what it means to lead, follow and take responsibility for the actions of myself and others on my team. I have learned what it means to be disciplined and level-headed for whatever life has to throw at me."