An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Service Members Support Presidential Inauguration Events

A couple in elegant attire enters the stage from a door on the right while a military band plays on stage on the left.
Presidential Entrance
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their entrance while the Air Force Band plays during the Liberty Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025.
Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Campbell, DOD
VIRIN: 250120-F-EC226-2255A

Sailors in dress uniforms stand in formation with heads bowed as a fellow sailor stands in front of them looking at them.
Navy Ceremonial Guard
Sailors assigned to the Navy Ceremonial Guard perform drill movements during the First Honors Ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol following the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2025. Traditionally, the president and vice president review the troops from the steps outside the East Front of the Capitol, but the ceremony was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier, DOD
VIRIN: 250120-D-WQ860-1190
Army musicians in Revolutionary War-era uniforms perform in formation in a room, led by a drum major.
Pass in Review
The Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps conducts a pass in review as part of the First Honors Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. The corps has participated in every inaugural parade since President John F. Kennedy’s in 1961.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vanessa White, DOD
VIRIN: 250120-D-QO892-2029
More than a dozen guardians in dress uniforms stand in formation as an fellow guardian faces them in a room.
Guardian Formation
Guardians assigned to the Space Force Honor Guard stand in formation during the First Honors Ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol following the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. Traditionally, the president and vice president review troop formations as part of inaugural events.
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vanessa White, DOD
VIRIN: 250120-D-QO892-2007

Service members from across the armed forces, including Reserve and National Guard components, provided ceremonial and defense support for the events of the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Jan. 18-20, 2025.
{{slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} - {{slideCaption}}
Credit: {{photographer}}
VIRIN: {{virin}}
{{slideNumber}} of {{numSlides}}

{{slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} {{slideTitle}} - {{slideCaption}}

{{slideInfo.slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} {{slideInfo.slideTitle}} - {{slideInfo.slideCaption}}

Nearly 8,000 National Guard troops were on duty as part of the sizeable interagency presence to ensure the transition of power, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when their predecessors escorted George Washington to the first inauguration.

A group of soldiers stand in an audience lifting one hand in the air to pledge.
Deputizing Soldiers
About 380 soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard and Pennsylvania National Guard were deputized by Ronald L. Carter, a marshal, in support of the upcoming 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Jan. 18, 2025.
Credit: Army Spc. Ericka Gillespie
VIRIN: 250118-A-JL021-1031E
A group of soldiers line up indoors at a gymnasium.
Soldier In-Process
Delaware National Guardsmen go through in-processing at the D.C. Armory in Washington, Jan. 18, 2025.
Credit: Army Pfc. Kameron Spencer
VIRIN: 250118-Z-RQ209-1004E
A soldier sitting on a table in a gymnasium passes a card to another soldier standing at the other side.
Inauguration Process
Massachusetts Army National Guardsmen help soldiers out-process at the D.C. Armory, Washington, Jan. 21, 2025.
Credit: Army Sgt. Lindiwe Henry
VIRIN: 250121-Z-RM409-1064E
The U.S. Army Band, the U.S. Air Force Band, "The President’s Own" U.S. Marine Band, as well as Honor Guard teams representing all military service branches performed at numerous special events and observances that took place during the days surrounding the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump as the nation's 47th president, alongside Vice President JD Vance.

Presidential Dance Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Abbigayle Williams, DOD
Service members dance with the president, the vice president and their spouses during the Commander in Chief Ball at the Walter W. Washington Convention Center in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Abbigayle Williams, DOD)
 

A conductor, in ceremonial dress surrounded by hundreds of people in an arena, signals to a band during a performance under red, white and blue lights.
Brass and Glory
Army Maj. Aaron Morris, conductor of the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, leads the ensemble during a performance as part of the inaugural parade at Capital One Arena in Washington, Jan. 20, 2025. The Herald Trumpets performed "Brass and Glory," an original piece composed for the new president.
Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jazmin Smith, DOD
VIRIN: 250120-D-AI758-2271M
A Marine plays an instrument while in a group of other Marines playing.
President's Own
"The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band performs during the vice presidential dinner at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Jan. 18, 2025.
Credit: Marine Corps Sgt. Benjamin Whitten
VIRIN: 250118-D-MT620-1098E

Related Stories