MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Chicago, Illinois, native completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.
Seaman Curtis Gardner, a 2013 Wells Community Academy High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago.
"I joined the Navy to take care of my family and also the country," said Gardner. "Serving in the Navy has brought me many opportunities to do both."
Today, Gardner 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.
"I like the teamwork here because we are a team," said Gardner "So, if one person falls, we all help to get that person back up."
Seaman Curtis Gardner, a 2013 Wells Community Academy High School graduate, joined the Navy six months ago.
"I joined the Navy to take care of my family and also the country," said Gardner. "Serving in the Navy has brought me many opportunities to do both."
Today, Gardner 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.
"I like the teamwork here because we are a team," said Gardner "So, if one person falls, we all help to get that person back up."
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers.
"My proudest accomplishment is promoting in rank from E1 to E3," said Gardner. "I became an E3 because I graduated training for the Ceremonial Guard."
As Gardner and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
"Serving means a lot because everybody can’t do this job, so it is an honor to serve my country," added Gardner. "I learned that it's a job but you also have to take care of yourself personally and mentally. Also, it's about having integrity and a hard work ethic."
"My proudest accomplishment is promoting in rank from E1 to E3," said Gardner. "I became an E3 because I graduated training for the Ceremonial Guard."
As Gardner and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
"Serving means a lot because everybody can’t do this job, so it is an honor to serve my country," added Gardner. "I learned that it's a job but you also have to take care of yourself personally and mentally. Also, it's about having integrity and a hard work ethic."