Introducing The Citadel Class of 2026 Summerall Guards

The Summerall Guards for the Class of 2026 are now in position. The 61 rising-senior cadets held their first performance during the changing of the guard ceremony, an event that is part of The Citadel’s annual Corps Day weekend ceremonies. This marks the moment that the Class of 2025 Summerall Guards perform their last precision drills as a unit before passing their rifles to the new platoon.

They were selected after a process that included weeks of Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training. Junior cadets who pass an initial physical fitness test take part in the six-week BVA training and tryout sessions. They must perform military pushups, sit-ups and rifle-bearing physical training, exhibiting exceptional physical condition and stamina.

Known around the United States as one of the elite military drill troupes, membership is a high honor at the military college of South Carolina. Created in 1932, The Summerall Guards have represented The Citadel at events around the nation, including performing in five presidential inaugural parades.

The platoon is named for Gen. Charles P. Summerall, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and The Citadel president from 1931 until 1953. Its purpose is to exemplify the exactness and thoroughness of a cadet’s training through a unique series of movements based on old, close-order Prussian drills. The maneuvers have never been written down, are passed from class to class and are performed to a silent count.

The 61 seniors will be commanded by Cadet Cole Bouknight.

The Class of 2026 Summerall Guards:

Liam O’DonnellChristopher Rollins
Jackson TompkinsBryson Barrett
Aidan O’DonnellJ Talbert
David GleesonDavid Hoskins
Cole BouknightBradley Hirst
Grady MeeksSimon Sulonen
Joseph PietrobonoBriggs Powell
Ben DuncanAlexandre Brett
Mark LutaPreston Dow
Luke StringfieldNoah Sanders
Thomas JohnsonClint Cassas
William GoerlichMitchell Coe
Rhett PeeplesBoone Morgan
Dominick SmithJackson Clemmons
Spencer VerhalenDylan Gaffney
Charles NoonanWilliam Ramos
Ryan BostanciBrody Weber
Caden HendersonRay Wilson
John SheppardWilliam Reese
Peter NettletonDuncan MacFadyen
Everett BabcockJonah Tervo
Nicholas PiccutaMichael Mayo
Samuel EdwardsAidan Wiseman
Joshua KentBlake Buckholz
Edward ClementBraden Durst
Mason CooperWill Gavin
David RoppRoy Humphreys
Bennett CurryJack McCullen
Ethan ClintonDaniel DuBose
Drennon FaileJason Vipperman
Joshua Riggs