Women of the Old Guard

Women are now allowed to serve in some positions previously excluded by the "risk rule." In fact, a statement by the secretary of the Army and chief of staff in 1994 specifically named "Washington ceremonial units" as among those "which will open to women without further study."

A military-police platoon, which included women, was attached to The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) Nov. 1, 1994, with the reactivation of the 1st Platoon, 289th Military Police Company.

Women in The Old Guard are actually nothing new. Women have served since 1982 with The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and in the 1970s and 1980s, women assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company Fort Myer Garrison, participated with The Old Guard at the White House and in other high-visibility ceremonies. 

Women soldiers are recruited to the same standards as men, with the exception of the height standard. Recruitment began in spring of 1994 for soldiers in the ranks of private through staff sergeant for the Old Guard's military-police platoon. The MP Platoon, led by a female lieutenant, has an strength of one officer and 42 soldiers. The unit began performing in Old Guard ceremonial activities in January 1995.

Sgt. Heather Lynn Johnsen First Woman Tomb Sentinel

The MP Platoon enhances Old Guard tactical capabilities. The MP Platoon is able to conduct reconnaissance and security missions previously performed by other military police units.

In addition to the duties of an MP platoon attached to an infantry unit, the MPs perform in the following ceremonial roles: marching platoon or squad; casket teams for funerals in Arlington National Cemetery and within the national capital area; firing parties; colors team; cordons; state- and territorial-flag bearers; traffic restrainers; ushers; drivers; Pentagon tour guides; and liaison officers.

The military-police mission of the MP Platoon includes: route reconnaissance and surveillance; convoy security; enemy-prisoners-of-war collection; enemy-prisoners-of-war evacuation; security of designated persons; security of Tactical Operations Centers; area/zone reconnaissance; and combat patrols.

As with other Old Guard soldiers, after one year members of the MP Platoon are eligible to compete for specialty units such as U.S. Army Drill Team, the Caisson Platoon, Tomb Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Women already serve with some of these units.

(Right) Sgt. Danyell E. Wilson, the first black woman to qualify as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, is inspected by her commander of the relief, Staff Sgt. Sean Robinson

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