Many of you know that #1 son is at the Naval Academy and JP and Marsha have sponsored him as a home away from home. At least now he can recognize a Studebaker, so there has been some learning off the Yard.
#2 son enlisted in the Army, to be different than his brother, and is now at Ft Myer, VA in the "Old Guard", the Army's ceremonial unit. He got recruited in boot camp for this instead of his contract of Ranger/Airborne. The 3rd Infantry Regiment has the mission of protecting the Nation's Capital as well as being the best in parade/drill/special events. While he is a newbie to the unit, the varied missions will keep him busy.
Last week his company was in the field at Ft A. P. Hill practicing day/night land navigation as well as shooting. He returned with expert badges on the M16 as well as the 203 grenade launcher. So now he is a grenadier for his unit. Probably much easier than being the machine gunner crew and having to carry all the gear for it.
This week his company was part of an "Arrival Ceremony" for a Romanian General in their dress blues. The Old Guard is the only unit to wear the blues. So they do the pass in review and other drill as to show off for the dignitaries. The more I learn as he does, the more I am impressed with the abilities of this unit. They have to be ready to go to war, but yet also show off as the "poster child" for the Army. These are the guys also doing the burial details at Arlington, Tomb Guards, Drill Team, Caisson Team, Presidential Salute Battery, Fife and Drum, and Color Guards. See