Reflection Paper On The Honor Guard

On March 28, 2012, my life changed. I got married to my husband who had been in the U.S. Army for nine weeks at the time. Very shortly after getting married, we found out he would be stationed at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. It is known as The Old Guard or The Honor Guard because it is the base that is responsible for all burials at Arlington National Cemetery. It is the oldest active duty regiment as well as the official escort to the President. Arlington, Virginia is a much different place than Miami. It was a culture shock because of the different languages, the way men and women are dressed and living in a tourist area. I loved living in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area and I would go back in a heartbeat. My husband being in the military was also a culture shock because one has to show valid military ID to

Army I was able to get on the base. If someone doesn’t have a valid military ID card they cannot get on the base unless they are escorted by someone who does. You always have to maintain good order and discipline. The service member and extended family is always expected to live by the “Army values” which are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. If the service member or extended family does anything that is of embarrassment to the Army, their command will be notified. One is expected to act a certain way when wearing uniform and if anyone is with that service member in uniform, they are also expected to act a certain way. In civilian culture your job is just something you do but in the military your job is what you are. Being in the military defines you. In the military there is not just one culture but many cultures linked by the same mutual understanding of the military. Many service member’s live on the base itself so it’s a very tight-knit community where everyone knows and helps each other because everyone is going through similar