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Public duties

 
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Public duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.

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Germany

The Wachregiment Berlin was founded in early 1921. In addition to genuine security duties, the unit was used for ceremonial public duties in the capital. The regiment disbanded in June 1921 and shortly after was revived as Kommando der Wachtruppe (lit. Headquarters Guard Troop).

The Wachtruppe comprised seven companies, each drawn from one of the seven active army divisions. Each company served for three months before returning to their parent division. In this way, the Wachtruppe represented the whole Reichswehr.

The Kommando was based at Moabit Barracks, and every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, performed a modest changing of the guard ceremony for the public. On each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday the entire Wachtruppe, accompanied by the regimental band, marched from the barracks through the Brandenburg Gate and to the Berlin War Memorial, providing a greater spectacle for public view.

In 1934, the unit was renamed Wachtruppe Berlin and in 1936 a headquarters and administration company were added. In June 1937, the unit was again renamed Wach Regiment Berlin. Postings were now done by individuals, not entire companies, and each man served six-month tours of duty. The unit provided escorts and Guards of Honour for State Visits, Conferences and even the Olympic Games.

In 1939, the unit was reorganized as the Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland. While equipped as a field unit, the regiment also maintained a public duties detachment in the capital. The ceremonial guard was pressed into service during the July bomb plot in 1944 and helped round up conspirators in the capital.

Like the British Brigade of Guards at that time, the Grossdeutschland maintained a strict height requirement.[1]

In 1957, the post-war Bundeswehr established the Wachbataillon, a tri-service unit, for ceremonial duties.

United Kingdom

London

Three infantry battalions of the British army are currently tasked with the provision of Public Duties. Two of these are from the Foot Guards of the Household Division, and one (since 1996) is a line infantry battalion. The former are normally based at Wellington Barracks in central London, within a short distance of Buckingham Palace, and at Victoria Barracks in Windsor Castle, while the latter is at the Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow. Permanent Public Duties companies of the Foot Guards also supplement these men.

Line Infantry Battalions on Public Duties since 1996

The 1st Bn, 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment served in this role 1986-1988, stationed at Caterham, the first to do so. The 1st Bn, King's Own Fusiliers in the series Soldier Soldier served for a period on public duties during the run of the series.

Apart from providing the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, and the Tower of London Guard, the Public Duties battalions occasionally also provide the Windsor Castle Guard, which is otherwise provided by the battalion based at Windsor. From 1783-1973 the Guards provided a nightly detachment for guard duty at the Bank of England.

All ceremonial events in London involve the Public Duties battalions. They are also available, should this be necessary, to fulfil the primary role of a royal bodyguard, that of providing armed troops for the defence of the Sovereign and the capital, and of providing military assistance to the civilian authorities as and when needed (such as the firefighters strike).

  • Note 1: The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters will be amalgamated in 2007 while they are stationed in London. The 1st Battalion will be renamed as the 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment.

Edinburgh

Public duties are also carried out in Edinburgh, although not as frequently as London. Prior to 2002, sentries were permanently stationed at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, but these were withdrawn due to cost-cutting measures. Today, sentries are posted during the evenings between 6 pm and 9 am, and throughout the week that HM The Queen spends in Edinburgh at both the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Sentries are also posted at the castle during the month of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo prior to each performance.

Unlike in London, there is no permanently based foot guards battalion stationed in Edinburgh, so public duties are performed by one of the resident line infantry/rifles battalions. These are currently: 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, based at Redford Barracks, The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Dreghorn Barracks and The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik. These units will rotate duties periodically but the unit under the command of 52nd Infantry Brigade will have responsibility for public duties.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo sentries

Arms Plot

Battalions on public duties are part of the regular arms plot; this is where infantry battalions are periodically rotated to various locations and different roles. From approximately 2006, the arms plot system will cease - battalions will be given fixed roles and locations. In theory, this will include public duties in London, which will retain its two guards and one line infantry battalion. However, for unpopular postings (including public duties), light role infantry battalions will continue to rotate. Under this scheme, several battalions have been initially earmarked to rotate public duties in London:

Two battalions of foot guards will be assigned to operational formations while the other two are on public duties. These four battalions will rotate with each other. The line infantry and rifles battalions will rotate between public duties as part of London District, service as a resident battalion in Cyprus and serving as part of 52 Infantry Brigade, which holds infantry battalions at high readiness for independent deployment.

Canada

Public duties are performed in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The primary ceremonial duties involve mounting guard at the Canadian Parliament and at Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General. These are performed primarily by the two Canadian regiments of foot guards, detachments of which are formed into the Ceremonial Guard. However, as in London, it would be possible for any Canadian regiment to serve in this capacity. The guard at Parliament Hill and Rideau Hall are mounted daily from early June until late August, with the first parade usually on the Friday before Canada Day. Since 1989, the Governor General's Foot Guards have performed additional public duties in Ottawa during the autumn and winter months.

United States

Washington, D.C.

Probably the best-known U.S. military unit to regularly engage in public duties is the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") of the U.S. Army. Since April 6, 1948, the regiment is tasked with perpetually guarding the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The regiment also regularly takes part in White House ceremonies, including at state visits.

The other U.S. military services have their own ceremonial units.

References

  1. ^ Spaeter, Helmuth History of the Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland (J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing)

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