An inside look at how the military is planning for Trump's Inauguration
The U.S. military has played a major role in presidential inaugurations for centuries, a tradition that takes years of careful planning
The U.S. military has played a major role in presidential inaugurations for centuries, a tradition that takes years of careful planning
The U.S. military has played a major role in presidential inaugurations for centuries, a tradition that takes years of careful planning
The U.S. military has been planning for Inauguration Day for almost four years, but those preparations are ramping up in the final few weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office on Jan. 20.
The military has played a significant role in the event for centuries.
“There has been almost an unbroken tradition all the way back to General Washington of the military participating either as an escort or some sort of ceremonial element,” said Joint Operations National Event Branch Chief Scott Hinds.
Carrying out that tradition is no small task.
“There are literally 12,000 people who will be participating in this parade. About 5,000 are military, and the rest are civilian organizations from around the country,” said Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp, the commanding general of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.
One of the tools that the military uses to prepare is a scale-model of Washington, D.C., which maps out the Inaugural Parade route from Capitol Hill to the White House.
Earlier this month, representatives from every branch of the military met for their third rehearsal drill to iron out logistics, from staging areas to warming stations in case of severe weather.
"Probably the biggest challenge is just thinking through the various details and making sure we have not overlooked something along the way," said Brig. Gen. Don Bevis, the deputy commanding general of the Joint Task Force.
On Inauguration Day, the Pentagon will also support the Secret Service, which is the main agency in charge of security for the event.
But the military's role on Inauguration Day is largely ceremonial, as service members honor a new president as Commander in Chief.
"To say that I'm a part of the peaceful transition of power and being able to demonstrate that ceremonial excellence that we bring is a great honor," said Lt. Col. Latecia McGrady, a logistics officer with the U.S. Army who is also serving as commander for Joint Team Parade.
