Whether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays, except federal holidays, or in the case of dangerous weather or other emergencies. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. Those eligible for a caisson at a military funeral at Arlington include warrant officers and sergeants major, officers of all ranks, those killed in action, valorous award recipients including those who received the Medal of Honor, U.S. presidents, and other special designees. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear. A departed Army or Marine Corps officer in the rank of colonel or above is also afforded the honor of having a caparisoned, or riderless, horse. The horse is led behind the caisson by a member of the platoon. Here, a caisson team moves past section 57 at Arlington National Cemetery as captured by the @arlingtonmedia team. Words: US Army Caisson Team – Arlington Media

Whether in the snow, rain, cold or heat, the Caisson Platoon is out in Arlington National Cemetery for funerals every day, Mondays through Fridays, except federal holidays, or in the case of dangerous weather or other emergencies. Using a caisson is steeped in tradition and history, going back to the day when field artillerymen used the caissons to transport 75mm cannon ammunition. The caissons, which were built in 1918, now carry the remains of those who served the nation with honor and distinction. Those eligible for a caisson at a military funeral at Arlington include warrant officers and sergeants major, officers of all ranks, those killed in action, valorous award recipients including those who received the Medal of Honor, U.S. presidents, and other special designees. A caisson team consists of seven horses and four riders. Three of the horses hitched to the caisson are unmounted, because the field artillerymen of the day used the off-side horses to carry additional gear. A departed Army or Marine Corps officer in the rank of colonel or above is also afforded the honor of having a caparisoned, or riderless, horse. The horse is led behind the caisson by a member of the platoon. Here, a caisson team moves past section 57 at Arlington National Cemetery as captured by the @arlingtonmedia team. Words: US Army Caisson Team

Post author:Clifford Crittenden
Post published:December 10, 2021
Post category:Uncategorized

The Sentinels of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stand watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in any weather. Sentinels, who volunteer for this post, are considered the elite of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), headquartered at nearby Fort Myer, Virginia. After members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment become ceremonially qualified, they are eligible to volunteer for duty as Sentinels at the Tomb. If accepted, they are assigned to Company E of The Old Guard. Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall for men or 5 feet, 8 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches tall for women, with a proportionate weight and build. Would-be Tomb Guards must first undergo an interview and a two-week trial. During the trial phase, they memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history. This information must be recited verbatim in order to earn a “walk.” If a soldier passes the first training phase, “new soldier” training begins. New Sentinels learn the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the grave locations of nearly 300 veterans.They learn the guard-change ceremony, the manual of arms, and methods for keeping their uniforms and weapons in immaculate condition. The Sentinels must pass multiple tests to earn the privilege of wearing the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge. First, they are tested on their manual of arms knowledge, uniform preparation and walks. Then, they take the badge test, consisting of 100 randomly selected questions from the 300 items memorized during training. The would-be badge holder must get more than 95 % correct. The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is a temporary award until the badge-holding Sentinel has honorably served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for nine months. At that time, the award can become a permanent badge, which may be worn for the rest of a military career. The silver badge is an upside-down, laurel-leaf wreath surrounding a depiction of the Tomb’s front face, the words “Honor Guard,” and figures representing Peace, Victory and Valor. Over 600 Tomb Guards have earned the badge since the 1950s.

February 4, 2021

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¹ DEPENDENT SERVICES
When a spouse or other dependent of a current or former member of the Armed Forces is buried at Arlington, the military service in which the primary party served will provide:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)

No other military funeral honors will be rendered unless the spouse also served in the military.

² STANDARD HONORS SERVICES
Enlisted service members, WO-1 through CW-3, and O-1 through O-3, interred/inurned at Arlington National Cemetery will receive honors provided by the decedent’s branch of service. These honors include:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)
A firing party
A bugler

³ FULL HONORS SERVICES
In addition to the standard military funeral honors, some Commissioned and Warrant officers and senior non-Commissioned Officer with a pay grade of E-9, CW-4 and CW-5, and O-4 and above:

ARMY: Sergeant Major (SGM), Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA),
NAVY & COAST GUARD: Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO), Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), or Coast Guard (MCPOCG),
MARINES: Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt), Sergeant Major (SgtMaj), Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SgtMajMC),
AIR FORCE: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt), First Sergeant, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF),

are eligible for full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery including:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)
A firing party
A bugler
A military band
An escort platoon (size varies according to the rank of the deceased)

Additionally, those eligible for full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery may use the caisson (UNAVAILABLE until September 2024), if available. Officers in the rank of colonel and above in the Army and the Marine Corps may be provided a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. General/flag officers may receive a cannon salute (17 guns for a four-star general, 15 for a three-star, 13 for a two-star, 11 for a one-star), if available.