Fun and Games in The Old Guard....
The Amazing Bayonet Charge | 3rd Infantry Regiment
Regiment Teams Compete in Various Events | Some Regular, Some Not
In Washington DC & at Marine Base Quantico Virginia
1,400 Views Jul 29, 2024
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO
Watch as teams of Old Guard Soldiers compete to see who can call themselves winners of The Amazing Bayonet Charge. This event combines tradition with competition. This unique event commemorates the regiment's successful bayonet charge in The Battle of Cerro Gordo during the Mexican-American War in 1847. With bragging rights on the line, Soldiers bring out their best in order to come out on top.
In the Battle of Cerro Gordo Heights overlooking Mexico City the 3rd Infantry Regiment was the advance force in Gen. Winfield Scott's fighting march on the Mexican Capital City. US Naval forces under Captain Matthew Perry had landed Gen. Scotts Army at Vera Cruz on the Gulf in a spectacularly successful amphibious operation that deceived the Mexican defenders flatfooted. Mexican forces held out for only several dayze under the brutal fire of Perry's siege guns reassembled ashore and that flattened the walls of the city facing the sea.
When the 3 IR arrived at the perimeter of Mexico City it had expended its ammunition killing Mexican troops. The regiment colonel ordered a bayonet charge that seized possession of the heights at which point the Mexican president knew they had lost the war. After Mexico surrendered to Gen. Scott he ordered a victory parade through the city. The appreciative Gen. Scott put the 3 IR at the lead of the parade and when the regiment approached the review platform Scott turned to his staff and said, "Gentlemen, take off your hats, here comes The Old Guard." Widely reported in the press across America, the nick given by the popularly known and admired Gen. Scott stuck.
The War Department authorized the 3 IR TOG henceforth to pass in review with its bayonets fixed.
In the video I like in particular forming circles to make contact with the right hand, then the left then try to get loose and free ha. The tear gas chamber is a hoot, reassembling various weapons while wearing the protective mask which has no relation whatsoever to the task -- then removing the mask to recite "The Old Guard Creed" that falls apart fast haha. Then at the end spreading out all MREs Meals Ready To Eat to take this, that and the other thing to make the winning delicacy ha. There's the obstacle course too and stuff. Officers, NCO and grunts participated to include Col. Rowland the CO who we get a good look at around 9:30 -- just standing there.
Tomb Guard & SGT Commander of the Relief | Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
To Old Guard Cobbler | Making Shoes Into Ceremonial Footgear
3rd US Infantry Regiment | The Old Guard | Joint Task Force - National Capital Region of Washington DC
44,593 Views | Apr 30, 2025
Meet Staff Sgt. Chadwick Winget, an Infantryman with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard." In his spare time, he developed an unexpected passion for cobblery—just in time to answer a unique call to duty. Watch to discover how this Soldier became the Old Guard Cobbler and the craft behind his service.

Since filming, Winget has transitioned out of the Army to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Applied Management with an Art Concentration and Minor in Native Alaskan studies at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. We know his transition will be successful and we wish him luck in his entrepreneurial ventures!
Yeah, this troop was in the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division, then spent three years assigned to Alaska, a tour in Iraq, at which point he volunteered for the 3 IR where he was in Charlie Company for a year -- which qualified him to apply successfully to become a Sentinel at the TUS for three years during which he became S/SGT commander of the relief. In Chad Winget's instance, Be All That You Can Be became quite the journey ha.
All the Washington DC armed services ceremonial units wear unique shoes made for the task. Wood heels with horseshoe cleats on 'em, a metal strip inside each heel for the click against the wood, and a cleat at the toe to drag on forward march. Outside in the video is at the review platform of Summerall Parade field with Old Guard billet buildings on the north side of Sheridan Drive that go company by company in a long row down to our left.