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
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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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