Why The Royal Navy Went On Guard At Buckingham Palace | Forces TV
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
- They are changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace in more ways than one, as 48 sailors from across the Royal Navy have taken their places in history, on the forecourt of Her Majesty the Queen's London residence.
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Army sleep under the stars, Navy use them to navigate, and the RAF use them to rate hotels.
I get the joke but doesnt the modern navy use GPS systems? I bet there are only a handful of people alive today that know how to use the stars to navigate
P77777777 nope navigators in the RAF and Navigation Officers in the RN still use stars and are trained to use them accurately. The rest of us where taught basic navigation by the stars. Batteries die on your GPS you still got to carry on
@@user-xg8yy7yl1d Actually they are teaching stellar navigation at the US Naval Academy
@@user-xg8yy7yl1d --The academies still teach those. After all an EMP will take out navigation systems and disable ships and planes. The Navy will have to work around that (technology is great when it works). By the way, in my own Navy days almost 40 years ago, we were still being taught how to use the low-tech devices of WW II...just in case we had to.
@@raymondweaver8526--YEP!!!!
Welcome to the comment section, where everyone is a military veteran or Five Star General.
Show some respect boi I survived the great meme war and the battle of pewdiepie vs tseries
@Clench Chad Man Ive seen things man, memes no one should ever have to see
Kevin Baboolal I meant other than the meme war, it scarred me for life’s. It haunts my dreams. My meme power is almost gone.
@@cheese___8589 dw brother you shall be back to full meme strength soon just sip some g fuel
@HarryBL11 take this with you then *hands over a jar of gfuel* safe travels brother
I was a New York City Police officer and during fleet week there often Royal Navy ships participating. I found RN and Royal Marines incredibly professional, courteous, and lord could they drink...They also didn't tear up the bars which I greatly appreciated....😁
No need as the Hooligans who made up the American Navy did it for us!
This makes me proud to be British
Impossible (visible confusion)
buster117 sorry the British military apply to a rule where you leave stuff as it was so don’t destroy a place.
Seth Kimmel
British Armed Forces Chiefs have a way to destroy you worse than any civilian court.
1:43 "These guys had done a lot of drills, a lot ceremonies yuefhghuugheghvember anyway"
Sounds about right
I know.
yoguhsyeeba shdj dhdjenewa?
A translation for you:
"These guys had done a lot of drills, a lot ceremonial duties over November anyway. So all we literally have to do which is put a few more building blocks... simple really."
he look like a Chinese man
In my 20 years in the US Navy, we operated with the RN. Damned fine and very professional sailors. We could take few lessons from them. SMC, USN, Ret.
Thats cool, thank you for your service, I want to join the Navy.
That is refreshing old school camraderie. Thank u for sharing and inspiring! And your service. Be blessed!
I couldn't agree more Chief. The few times that I got to work with my RN counterparts, I was impressed. But when it's time to hit the beach...they'll run you over. HT1 (SW/AW) USN Ret
Did a SEATO exercise with ships from the RN as well as the Aussies during WestPac and they were outstanding, plus lots of fun to go on liberty with. .
@@anarchy2118 go for the naval aviation. It's more challenging. And you will find yourself always in the frontline, providing that if you have the stomach for it.
I think it's wonderful that all of our Armed Forces can participate in Royal Guard duties. It's really a celebration of what makes each Service Branch so important.
In 1973, my family visited London- I was 9. A unit of Gurkhas were on duty at Buckingham Palace over Christmas. I remember being disappointed- then I found out about the Gurkhas. What a history!
"Senior service." "Jackspeak." I love the Royal Navy. (I'm a Yank.)
It’s the senior service because it’s older than the army and the RAF.
@@kateelkington519 I know. But I love it called that.
ok cool but this didnt tell me why the navy was on guard at all
Because it was the "Year of the Navy"
I had the same question, and yes, I heard the line about it being the year of the navy. That being said, what is the year of the navy?
I just googled it and got the answer "2017 is the Year of the Navy". So there you go.
AK Thank you for your input, however, the question was not when, but what? What is the year of the navy. Does it repeat, how does it come about, what other events does it involve?
sandovalva To answer your question, the Year of the Navy is the commemoration of the formation of the Royal Navy and really the Naval Service itself. I believe it had been 350 years of service in 2017. Quite the feat, something I’m proud to be apart of today
As a former Royal Marine also a Copper in Exeter as well as Canada I’m very impressed with Jolly Jacks. performance well done!
I'm sorry for bothering you a year after comment, but are you saying you have worked in the police both in the UK and Canada? If so, what do you think of North American policing?
'Sargent Major, marching up and down the square.. Right!.. '.. I love the way you guys do military. These folks look ready to guard the Queen and Royal family 👍👍I'm a big fan. Never stop.
From personal experience, they have been training for a while because in the navy we only learn to march for rare occasions such as change of command or other special event and only a select few do it...
The English navy is our mother in the Chilean navy, our trainers at the dawn of our independence, English sailors; Lord Cochrane among others inherited their uniforms, caps and the color black, mourning for Admiral Nelson ... in you you see our trainers ...
it is the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom
@@eliyahuohiyon7461 Which is the model of many navies and deservedly so.
Such a proud moment for the Royal Navy
From an ex-airman in Singapore
Thanks for your service! From a ORD loh!
@@jonseilim4321 you're welcome
From an ROD loh ;)
because the navy doesn't have enough ships and the army doesn't have enough guardsmen?
BeerBeard Airsoft, I know, I was being cynical...........................try and lighten up
It's like the (Navy) joke about the RAF. "Here's the RAF doing a fly-by over the Palace: yes, the whole RAF!"
Actually the reason the navy has never guarded the royal palaces until now is because the army, airforce and many commonwealth branches swear allegiance to the crown. Even though the senior service, the navy traditionally swore allegiance to the Admiralty. Interesting thing, really, as commissioned officers held the King's (or Queen's) commission and therefore could act as their representative they did not swear allegiance to them.
Fun fact: And warrant officers, as we see in this clip, originated during the age of sail as civilian contracted personnel to serve onboard His Majesty's Ships. Hence the Warrant. They held a warrant from the Admiralty, not a commission. So the Sailing master, surgeon, purser and so on were not naval personnel. It only changed when the navy colleges and the ability to uniform the training and schooling made it possible for sailors to specialise and take on these roles.
BOFoenss, thanks for that very interesting piece of information. I grew up in a (ex) Navy family , didn't know that.
My pleasure. On rare occasions it pays off to be a geek.
Everyone in the comments is talking shit about the Navy, but I'd love to see that actual data on how many of these naysayers have actually served in any capacity.
We have the same problem in the States. Kids win a video game and they think they are war hero's--expect mommy to pat them on the back, give them a Popsicle and send them to their "safe space" !! Real problem--these ain't little kids, there our "College" kids-----God help us all !!!
The Canadian Patriot You've hit the nail on the head! Most commenters, I'd believe, have not and will not serve in any military force.
They should say something to the navys soldiers! My old lot. The Royal Marines! The best! Guards? Pffftttt!
The gravy is shit full stop, on a pleasure cruise sailing around the World. Miles out to sea, pressing a button. WoW. The only branch of the gravy that do anything, even though, they hate being associated with the gravy are the marines. Oh and I have served, so I can shoot my mouth off.
We found the former sailor, boys.
Much respect to the Royal Navy and British Military
To China, Hong Kong, Thank you.
3:51 Blimey! that's one tall boi they've got here!
He's part of the Niphilem
he looks like 2 boys in a trench coat
Someone ate their greens as a child.
I wouldn't like to try to fill his boots...there'd make good life rafts though...
Once the brass notice him they'll transfer him to the submariners :-D
Its funny reading comments from the British about their defence budget cuts. You should see our Armed Forces in Canada.
Prairielander mate if anyone attacks your country, be sure America will fuck them up
Canada is pretty irrelevant though. nobody even knows you have a military haha
We used to have been known for having one at one time. I remember when we had an aircraft carrier. We actually outfitted our men with good equipment. We were a country that tried to keep the peace. But decades of spending cuts have moved us into irrelevancy and forcing our men to work with broken machinery.
We shouldn't be relying solely on the United States for our defence though. We are an independent nation and have our own foreign policy. We should be working as partners through NORAD and NATO to defend North America and the free world.
Prairielander You guys kicked ass in ww2. I don't agree with your current leader but I love your people. Much love from Tennessee.
If you serve or have served in the military it is basically your right to make fun of the other services it is the unwritten law ,
if you have never served in any of the services then shut up and enjoy the safety these services provide for you.
I was a Sapper once upon a time, when we had Armed Forces that could fight and maybe fight in other parts of the world. Its good to make fun of only 80,000 pongos, the RN with aircraft carriers with no planes and the RAF that can't afford to fly all their planes
it is basically my right to make fun of every institution (and this includes military services) i want to make fun of. To be exact it is not just basically my right, in fact it is my right. Ever heard of freedom of speech?
Amen to that Brother.
@@malcolmcog I was a trooper, we were the same.
You couldn't put us in the same pub without there being a fight, but we would defend each other to the death if either was threatened by outsiders.
Wet Backs and Brillecream Boys, (Navy and Air force respectively) were the exact same.
Well yes but no
I did Windsor Castle in 1986,,, I was in the RAOC, we took over from the REME, handed over to the Coldstreams
Arte et Marte (Reme) on the other side of the big water.
Stumbled onto this when looking for something else . . . and I'm glad I did! A wonderful video;the sailors were very impressive in their premiere at the palaces - a great tribute to the Royal Navy.
The snarky comments below reflect poorly on those leaving them, and demean what, though now reduced by loss of empire and lack of funds, long stood (or, rather, sailed) as a (often THE) bulwark against ill-intentioned nations. THAT is worth remembering.
I wonder how you don't have any likes, being under many comments and some being the only comment to get a heart from Forces TV. Wow.
@@kpm6016 No accounting for the ignorance and ill-will of some people . . . .
When the senior comes out with his pacestick, you're in for some serious drill.
Those sailors will show how them how it's done . HOOYAH ! From an old u.s. SAILOR !!!
To the US, Thank You.
Not a chance
Awesome job to my brother and sisters in the Royal Navy. You all performed excellent dring your drills and finally the show, Excellent. Fair Winds and Following Seas.....
Had the honor and privilege of visiting and meeting RN while I was a sailor on board the USS Essex many years ago, RN still model for Navies of the free world. Hats off to them.
They had infantry with automatic rifles, and truck mounted .50 cal machine guns on the pavement in front when I walked by to take some photos.
They use modified special SA80s
Good to see the navy having a go. Remember, the guards do a lot more drill than the navy, so are a lot better.
Fred Rippa and sea cadets
We have work to do and are understaffed immensely we can't spend all our time on a parade ground.
I missed it by a year, but a much belated happy birthday to the Royal Navy. You looked fantastic.
Awesome tradition and privilege for those Sailors. I can only imagine how proud they must have been finally arriving at the castle.
Wow, the Guardsmen really look like giants compared to the sailors. They’re all a lot taller and broader.
Traditional Guardsman send for this duty the largest of men they have. They should look intimidating.
Aliff Jamal They are bodyguards to the Head of State.
Probably because the guardsmen are wearing bearskins designed to make them look taller than they actually are
Jarius Aliff Wan ThErE greniders who though training in basic one. Those who get to this point in there career are tough, fit and not looking like fruit cakes like the Royal Navy loool
Jarius Aliff Wan used to submariners had a maximum height. It also reflects the difference in modern warfare and human requirements for same. This ain’t The Highlander Games where the point is a Katerina toss.
God they have beautiful uniforms
They got lucky that it's winter. They get to wear their coats. You should see how it is normally. I think it looks better, however it's a right hassle to put on and take off.
Bear skin hats look better and much more intimidating
@@davidw1634 that's the idea
based
I am an American U. S. Navy Veteran (1970 - 1974) and I am wicked proud of you guys and gals!!!!!! Way-to-go, English Navy!!!!!!
It's the British Royal Navy, not the English Navy!
Atlas
Not true!
Claiming other nation's glory in wars as their own has been a US tradition from the start!
RizzleBazzle old thread, but if it's any consolation, many of us here (US) with half a brain, or simply interested in history, know that 'we' helped in numerous conflicts, caused numerous conflicts, never really 'saved anyone's bacon' in any conflict. But 'we' did help, being one of many involved in said conflicts. This country has never suffered as so many other countries suffered. There have been shortages, rationing, etc. But never the devastation others have experienced. I'm hoping to visit Europe soon, would love to visit England, Germany, Switzerland. Plus, English humor is the best on the planet!!! Holy crap, Black Adder, M Python, B Hill, Goodies, Ab Fab, Red Dwarf. Genius!!!
Chris Rock glad to see someone being positive we may not be spot on yet but it’s a step in the right direction
@@richsmith8035 Don't forget Only fools and Horses, If you haven't seen it I strongly recommend you check it out.
Is it strange that as an American I’m more concerned with the state of the Royal Navy then my own.
Just sad to see the inventory of the Royal Fleet a shadow of its former self.
Its too damn expensive to have a good navy, also with planes and shit being a factor in war now, the Navy is being a little be overlooked: why have a good navy when you can have a great airforce that can do everything the navy can but quicker and with likey less casualties
iuvenis animo
An a nice set of ships they are. I also hear they have pubs on board.
@@siyarg.4900 Except be where it's needed, without a twenty-hour flight with 7 in-flight refuelings?
@iuvenis animo Damn good ones too!
@@siyarg.4900 Planes cannot cross infinte distances without refuel and maintainence, not to mention transport and storage. Hence the central importance of the aircraft carrier in modern naval combat. Those planes would be nothing without the carrier and its escorts. While the aircraft carry out strikes and recon, the ships provide a operating base and protection for the aircraft. Ships also conpliment aircraft strikes with various additional offensive means such as cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and artillery. Often, one cannot simply carry out offensive operations on a enemy without first establishing naval superiority in tandem with air superiority. You cannot land troops on a beach head either with amphibious vehicles or aircraft, without proper air support and naval support.
Great spectacle to watch, proud to say I was able to help a lost seaman with the flagpole cover find the side entrance to Buckingham Palace (he’d only been walking back and forth 3 times 😆)
The navy were never known for their marching qualities. The army first, then the raf. Each service has their own different talents however which makes a good tri-service whole.
Theres not much room to do much drill on a boat
Try marching behind the RAF it's painful to do painful to watch them in front and it's just hilarious trying to figure what they want you to do with their commands
I think that's pretty much true for most navies. In the US Navy though we have the Seabees. It's a construction division and we're more infantry than naval. We always wore the green uniforms that the US Marines wore we just used different stenciling. The hats though came with a globe and anchor and we had to carefully sandpaper it off. We had some infantry training and a lot more arms training than the blue water navy. We also do some marching and drilling. We're not a strong offensive force but we do defend our own camps. You'll find us behind the Marines on an amphibious landing setting up electricity and communications systems. We also assemble the pontoon roads out of the water so the vehicles and equipment can be brought in. Few of us have ever seen a ship. I visited one once for about an hour. No thanks.
They should've sent the Royal Marines. Best drillers outside the guards and overall best band too.
From personal experience, I disagree. The RAF are certainly worse.
0:15 The Class When Someone Late Enter The Room
Fantastic work Army! Well done, Navy!
As someone from a U.S. Navy family, Love seeing the navy guarding her late majesty.
Awesome video👍👍👍👍.Carry on the good work.All the best in the days to come and God Bless you all.Well wishes love from India.
Thank You Royal Navy for the break. Third Battalion the Queens Regiment ✌️
For Majesty and Country.
Very cool. I love seeing how other armies do their drill.
bless the Royal Navy , my great uncle served from 1912 to 1952 in her :)
All the royal guard are distinguished in some way. They have all done something rather special to get there & deserve great respect.
W K no, you literally just join the guards. You don’t have to do anything extra special
No they aren't
@@mahmoodthedealer6545 Minimum of 22 years service; warrant officer; & a good conduct medal. That's the official minimum. So 😋 my 🩳 (eat my shorts).
Let Whitehall and Parliament honour the Royal Navy even more by increasing the Naval Estimates and getting it back to a comfortable strength in warships and auxiliaries. God bless them!
We used to march from Chelsea barracks to Buck House . And then on to St James. Not just over the road from Wellington barracks. From a old soldiers memory’s
Well done Royal Navy, excellent performance 👌👏👏👏❤️
I just want to know what happened to that one really tall sailor? He was at least a foot taller then anyone else. I can imagine how beat up his forehead is from hitting bulkheads with it. lol
Well he is the senior bulkhead tester for the ship lol
I'd imagine he learned that lesson pretty quickly
trashdoktor compared to the guards who guard the tomb of the unknown in the U.S. these navy guys look lazy
trashdoktor hatch rash
Randy Lee: They're not lazy but by the same token neither are they automatons.
0:30 I never knew the rack numbers were so visible on the Guard's parade rifles.
it is amazing how many fleet air arm are in the navy squads
Wow this is a really great vid
❤ from 🇺🇸 our lovely 🇬🇧 allies!
Once I was married into a British family. Even as an "adoptee" I am proud of these lads and lasses.
It is also interesting to watch the differences in the parade, etc. of the two forces. In the US, we have the same commands universally for rifles, marching, and all the rest of it. This fact simplifies things among our five armed services.
The only difficulty is getting three of our services to see that a gold chin strap on the combination cap denotes a Coast Guard or Navy officer. A CPO may look very similar to an officer, but his cap has a black chin strap and he has a rank patch on his left arm. And none of the universal officer pins.
Takes me back to the hard training in HMS GANGES way back in the 40's.
Gosh they are amazing and really delightful God bless the Royal Navy,well actually every one
watching our armed services makes me feel so proud, it takes my mind off the weak leadership of this fine country. God save the Queen.
Ethan D nice country but the queen certainly isn’t the thing to be the most proud of
The Globalist fuck off
+Ethan D Really, what is the point of having a queen? She doesn't do anything except be old pretty much. I'm American, but from what I know from across the pond, the royal family is just a tourist attraction and rely on heirs and heiresses as well as taxation to survive. The queen does nothing.
HawkeyeNation19 actaully the queen does everything
HawkeyeNation19 the government cant put through any law, no matter how much of a majority tge vote got, unless the queen gives her permission for it, shes still the head of state, and also head of the church of england and the armed forces
Pretty sharp.
Okra CRPF Sharp for the navy.
One of the first when it was opened to all arms 1979. Royal artillery proudest time of my life
Fantastic!
My brother in law has been in the army since he was 15yrs old he is now 50 he now works in recruiting and has been doing this for about 10yrs .The difficulty finding people who are actually capable of getting in the armed forces has dropped like a stone .The kids are soft usually not fit and work shy they have had to drop the standards just to try to get some of the people apply further along the application process its a joke.
Kids these days are work shy because they can see that hard work no longer matters.
When you and I were young, if you put your head down and pushed hard, you could expect that there'd be something at the end of it worthwhile.
The price of everything is going up faster than the wages you can earn with an honest day's work. People who are under 40 right now are never going to be able to retire as we currently understand the term.
So young people quite understandably are more interested in taking it easy than busting their asses for no reason. I don't blame them.
@@JohnnyWishbone85 thanks for being sympathetic to the younger generation
I talk shit about all modern army's, which have been closer to being pacified compared to previous armies, but the British Armed Forces, and the United States Marines have done the best in preserving the best order for the ranks, most discipline, and overall keeping a raised standard for our forces. God Bless to both.
I think, but that is just me, national service, conscription if you like, isn't really a bad thing for the armed forces.
Learning discipline, self-discipline, is a good thing.
A partly conscript army keeps the community involved and the army attent to civvy street.
@@hans2406 In theory national service is a good idea.However the UK government has kept the purse strings closed tight for a number of years especially on defence spending, secondly what and where would you send large amounts of national service personnel through a standard two year engagement .
Brilliant...proud of the R.N....of the Family
thanks for serving
I’m in the USA army and this is really impressive. I recognize the March and the turns and they do it so ceremonially well it’s shocks me I have a lot of respect to that
2:23 he sounds just like a pirate :DD
Honor is beautiful every time I see it.
based
Fantastic
Three cheers for Her Majesty The Queen.
You don't join the RN to do marching, really (my Dad did 30 years...). And the Andrew are usually rather comical at it. But the Army guys have done a very decent job of working them up, imho. Well done to one and all! Doesn't this make the Full Set? Palace has now been guarded by Army, RAF Regiment, Royal Marines and RN?
Brilliant!
Beautiful
About time the senior service got the priveledge
6:09 I will never get used to women wearing earrings during ceremony, but thats just me.
higherkite thats political correctedness for you.
They wouldnt let guys wear em or anything like it
This isn't an earring, it's just to prevent the holes growing back together
It's the Navy, maybe it was a bloke.
I am shocked at the mens lack of earings.
Bless them all
Deserve their honour of the senior service. My ex husband was in the Royal Navy in the 1970s . Well done to all those Royal Navy men and women.
Bravo Zulu to my British counterparts!
We have a different military alphabet my friend! Bravo Zulu to us is what you said to congratulate your counterparts in the Anglo-Zulu War
BZ in the USN is congratulatory as well. Maybe we picked it up form y'all, idk.
I'm sorry, as I love the U.K.....these guys look like the 21st Interior Decorator Battalion.
John D I'd start with those for men and women. Boys and girls clothes for the Cadets
John D ngl army uniforms are also ugly as fuck get Hugo boss back from the dead to make a new good looking one
Lmao
The next time you're sorry ass is threatened by pirates, hurricanes when you see a grey ship flying the White Ensign, some those ""Guys"" are going to be onboard!!!!
they look like every western navy dress uniform ever. I've never heard anyone actually in the navy complain about them.
Served in the Royal Navy for 7 years absolutely loved it. I’m 57 now.
Gay
Gooner-KIRK We know you are...
YES
When is the Contingent of the British Space Force going to take over the detail?
They're still figuring out which camouflage to use.
@@gazzaboo8461 neon green.
Holy shit! Take a look at 3:55ish
Thats one seriously tall guy.
I mean I'm 6 foot 5ish but that guy most likely dwarfs me!
oh how I recall those Cold Mornings rehearsing Royal Funeral/State Funerals, and where the Chief GI was obviously born out of wedlock. And, I was only on sleep ashore from the Home Fleet!
Capt: guard slow march
Matlo: the who now?!! Lol
Great stuff people
Secret Service: let's people talk to the president.
Royal Guard: STEP BACK!!
Was the German emperor and I understand how a blockade could kill us
Respect from France
Cheerio mate!!!
2:00 funniest hat ever? even for British military standards.
Benito Llan Matos sorry no
I wore a pilliar hat wore it wiv pride
@03 11 except for America
I believe it is the British grenadier guards prestige. You shouldn't tease them it hurts their values.
@03 11 the british military fought against people with sticks and stones. pretty amazing
It's good to know they went on guard, but the eight minute video still didn't answer why they did.
In the first 30 or so seconds they answered it
TheModest Man I would expect them to have gone over length of guard duty postings, the protocol for who does it, and more detailed history. They only started the 'why' by saying that it was the year of the Royal Navy, but the briefness of this explanation is akin to click bait. It was nonetheless an interesting video, though it could've been more so.
This year is the "Year of the Royal Navy". The Senior Service!
So what year is the year of the Royal Navy? When did it start, when does it end....?
Is there a "Year of The Royal Army/Marine Corps"? How often does this "Year..." occur?
What is the history of "Year..."?
Nicely done from across the pond.😀
Well Done Senior Service - Stepped up to the mark - as always .
that hat the sgt is wearing happens to be the worst i've ever seen
atomichurley how?
Sgt. Is an army man
@@barnabyg6808 are you blind?
you sound like a npc from skyrim
@@atomichurley me?🎃
So I guess I'm missing some crucial details to fully understand why the Navy is taking over guard duty and its only one of the Normal Guards.
Major Texan Yea, it was tough understanding that since they only explained 3-4 time how this is the Year of the Navy and that in the U.K., the Royal Navy is the senior service (unlike the US where the Army is).
Major Texan don't forget it was royal navy that taxied our boys to invade the world
@JGCameron Marines are older than that.
The British Navy Guard are similar to the US Navy guard. White hats, black shoes, white leggings, Navy dress uniforms. I marched in the USA, and it's a proud thing to do.
It is nice to see so many young men and women that still like tradition.
So out of sync...
A.J. Bensinger if yo2y want to see out of time look at the US shuffle during russias victory day parade
In the final parade they arent.
@@AE-wv8jd what?
@@theteutonking3306 Yeah final parade they look good.
A few comments from an American . Most of us think that the guards are just ceremonial , not realizing that they are locked and loaded for combat . I think that the guards look cool and professional and like the uniforms and drill . The rifles look out of place , though . A Lee Enfield would look more traditional and that old .303 cartridge will still do the job . Our ceremonial guards , drill units , and such , usually carry M14 rifles or maybe M1 Garands or 1903 Springfields . The spelling Lieutenant , but pronounced Leftenant . Our sailors can grow moustaches, but not beards . Except SEALs , they wear beards in the field if they wish to . If beards interfered with their dive masks I doubt they'd grow them . I took SCUBA training at a private dive school while I was in the US Navy. Our instructor was a retired US Marine . He wore a beard and proved that a properly trimmed beard was no hindrance to keeping a good seal with a SCUBA mask . Our navy had the "Donald Duck" cover , but it went away after about WW2 . We still have the "Dixie Cup" white hat as part of our dress uniform . Our White House and President are protected by the Secret Service, a civilian guard force . Their "uniform" is a dark Three Piece suit when they are visible to the public . Our sharpest , most professional guards are the soldiers that guard the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier in Arlington , Virginia . Specially selected from active duty soldiers of the US Army , they take a life long oath to never curse , smoke , drink alcohol , or bring dishonor upon their country or service . Thank You , Great Britain , Cheers !
Victor Waddell The soldiers of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, take no such oath! I have no idea where you heard that fallacy, but it is absurd.
motorcop505 If the story of any such oath is incorrect , it needs to be corrected . The fact remains that The 3rd Infantry Regiment is a well respected unit , tasked with a solemn duty which they perform in an exemplary manner . Few can perform such a duty . Forgive me if perpetuated a myth . Humble people can take correction without hard feelings . Thank You .
They're not only locked and loaded for combat, they're combat soldiers. They carry the service rifle because they're a service force - when a company isn't assigned in London you'll find them forward deployed in Afghanistan or wherever else the Army sends them. The SMLE might look sharper, but they carry the service rifle because at the end of the day they're still front line troops.
Victor Waddell: well you covered a lot of ground!
Yes, the US Navy and Coast Guard wore FLAT HATS, on and off, depending, till the 1970s. The Coast Guard had them last I think. It was part of the winter uniform, being made of midnight blue (not "black") wool.
I get very tired of people who make things up or guess out loud. However, I do hope you are right that US forces on ceremonial duty will still carry the old rifles. I respect the British hugely, but they may carry the new rifles to be in maximum preparedness in case of trouble. But I prefer the look of the Garand or Springfield rifles. The M14 looks fine too.
Re beards: In the 1970s, under Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Zumwalt, we in the Navy were allowed beards again. Interestingly, I came from a small mountain town where most men (and a few grandmothers) had beards. So I was glad to have my beard back. As often happened, our Coast Guard friends followed suit.
Dr C. Everett Koop, when he was in charge of the Public Health Service, dressed like an admiral and wore a beard. And he looked very sharp.
(In the US there are 5 military services, but 7 UNIFORMED services, including the Public Health Service. Their uniforms too are part of their jobs. And these non military services have chosed the Navy look for these uniforms. Look it up for more detail.)
In the US Forest Service, our formal uniform once reflected the slightest military influence. But the National Park Service began with taking over administration of parks, monuments, etc. from the US Army, who had been doing the job. Therefore their hat and uniform have a slightly more military look, which honors their predecessors.
Good discussion. And now, back to our British friends. I support their turn guarding HRH. And I appreciate that they are volunteers.
Hell.. I'd like to thank you all for posting. Great details that I, for the most part, did not know.
Good to see The Senior Service on guard, Hearts of Oak, Boys !
Captain of the queens guard is actually only a MR in Foot Guards, HR is LT Colonel+