The Ceremonial Guard's primary mission is to represent the Navy in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy and public ceremonies in the Nation's Capital under the scrutiny of the highest ranking officials of the United States and foreign nations, including royalty. Whenever one sees sailors participating in a Washington ceremonial event, they are seeing members of this most prestigious Navy unit.

The Navy Ceremonial Guard supplies men and women for some of our nation's most prestigious ceremonies, including Presidential Inaugurations. Members of the Guard make up a portion of the President's personal escort in the inaugural parade and participate in many Joint Armed Forces Color Guards and Cordons.

Perhaps the unit's most solemn duty involves Ceremonial Guard members who are responsible for rendering final honors at every Navy funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. Casket bearers and firing squad may perform in over 20 funerals for fallen shipmates in any given week.

Members of the Drill Team and Color Guard perform in drill blocks and various joint service color presentations all over the country, as well as in the National Capital Region, at all hours of the day and night. The Drill Team has performed at major sporting events, numerous parades in the Naval District, and around the country and world. The Ceremonial Guard also performs at scores of wreath laying and retirement ceremonies every year, in addition to participating in parades and local celebrations throughout the United States.

The Ceremonial Guard is under the direction of three officers and two senior enlisted chief petty officers, all of whom previously served in the fleet. There are approximately 180 junior Navy enlisted men and women assigned to the Ceremonial Guard's specialized details, which include the Ceremonial Drill Team, Ceremonial Color Guard, Ceremonial Rifle Firing Detail, Casket Bearer Platoon and Support and Administrative Staff.

Once assigned to the Ceremonial Guard, new members go through a six-week training program conducted by current Ceremonial Guard members. After indoctrination, the new members are assigned to one of the specialized details. Assignment to the Ceremonial Guard is typically for two years. After this selective assignment, the Sailors usually receive their choice of specialized training at a Navy school and are assigned to the fleet.

The initial training these sailors endure is eight weeks long. After training, those who make it go on to “marching platoon“ or fourth division, for an additional eight to twelve weeks of more intensive drill training.

Only after “drilling-out“ of fourth division is a member allowed to submit a request for placement into either 1st division (bearers and firing squad) or 2nd division (drill team and colors).

The Ceremonial Guardsmen march at a cadence of 110 steps per minute. Their military movements are refined and practiced until they appear as a single precision motion when performed. The rifle drills, utilizing a standard M-1 with fixed bayonet, follow a long-standing tradition of Naval Service.

The Ceremonial Guard standard of appearance directly reflects the unit's pride. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow them to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination.