Photo: The Summerall Guards march in the 2017 presidential inaugural parade.
The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes, along with the Summerall Guards and Color Guard, have been selected to march in the upcoming presidential inaugural parade. On Jan. 20, more than 100 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets will participate in the historic event, shortly after Donald Trump officially becomes the 47th President of the United States.
“The Citadel has participated in multiple inaugurations, speaking to the outstanding reputation of our Corps of Cadets,” said The Citadel President Gen. Glenn M. Walters, USMC (Ret.), ’79. “The Citadel is proud to represent our institution and South Carolina at another inaugural parade.”
This is the seventh presidential inauguration that The Citadel’s Band has been invited to participate in. Previous inaugural parades include:
- 1953 – President Dwight Eisenhower
- 1957 – President Dwight Eisenhower
- 1961 – President John F. Kennedy
- 1981 – President Ronald Reagan
- 1985 – President Ronald Reagan
- 2017 – President Donald Trump
The Summerall Guards have also been invited to march in presidential inaugurations, including:
- 1953 – President Dwight Eisenhower
- 1961 – President John F. Kennedy
- 1985 – President Ronald Reagan
- 1989 – President George H. W. Bush
- 2005 – President George W. Bush
- 2017 – President Donald Trump
In preparation, cadets have been rehearsing intensively, honing their precision and skills.
The Regimental Band and Pipes functions as a single cadet company at The Citadel, consisting of two parts – the Regimental Band and the Regimental Pipe Band. Both units consist of a drum major and a number of musicians. While each unit can perform independently, they often combine to support the Corps of Cadets, the community and the nation.
The Summerall Guards, made up of 61 cadets, are known around the U.S as one of the elite military drill platoon. Named for Gen. Charles P. Summerall, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and president of The Citadel from 1931 to 1953, the Summerall Guards exemplify the exactness and thoroughness of a cadet’s training. Their unique series of movements are based on old, close-order Prussian drills. The maneuvers, which have never been written down, are passed from class to class and performed to a silent count.
The Citadel’s Regimental Color Guard consists of cadets from Palmetto Battery who present the national and state flags. The Color Guard is an important tradition, as it represents and honors those serving in the Armed Forces. Unlike other cadet companies at The Citadel, Band Company and Palmetto Battery require a specialized application. The Summerall Guards are selected from the junior class each year after an arduous selection and training process.
The Citadel’s participation in the 2025 Presidential Inaugural Parade reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence and its storied history of representing South Carolina and the nation on a global stage. To learn more about the history behind the inaugural parade and other inaugural events, click here.
Capt. Hugh Reavis Nelson, ’59, becomes first Citadel graduate to receive Medal of Honor
Upcoming News from The Citadel – January 2025
The Citadel photographer’s 24 favorite photos from 2024
