The Summerall Guards for the Class of 2026 are now in position. The 61 rising-senior cadets held their first performance during the changing of the guard ceremony, an event that is part of The Citadel’s annual Corps Day weekend ceremonies. This marks the moment that the Class of 2025 Summerall Guards perform their last precision drills as a unit before passing their rifles to the new platoon.
They were selected after a process that included weeks of Bond Volunteer Aspirant (BVA) training. Junior cadets who pass an initial physical fitness test take part in the six-week BVA training and tryout sessions. They must perform military pushups, sit-ups and rifle-bearing physical training, exhibiting exceptional physical condition and stamina.
Known around the United States as one of the elite military drill troupes, membership is a high honor at the military college of South Carolina. Created in 1932, The Summerall Guards have represented The Citadel at events around the nation, including performing in five presidential inaugural parades.
The platoon is named for Gen. Charles P. Summerall, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and The Citadel president from 1931 until 1953. Its purpose is to exemplify the exactness and thoroughness of a cadet’s training through a unique series of movements based on old, close-order Prussian drills. The maneuvers have never been written down, are passed from class to class and are performed to a silent count.
The 61 seniors will be commanded by Cadet Cole Bouknight.
The Class of 2026 Summerall Guards:
Everett Babcock Michael Mayo
Bryson Barrett Jack McCullen Ryan Bostanci Grady Meeks Cole Bouknight Boone Morgan Alexandre Brett Peter Nettleton Blake Buckholz Charles Noonan Clint Cassas Liam O’Donnell Edward Clement Aidan O’Donnell Jackson Clemmons Rhett Peeples Ethan Clinton Nicholas Piccuta Mitchell Coe Joseph Pietrobono Mason Cooper Briggs Powell Bennett Curry William Ramos Preston Dow William Reese Daniel DuBose Joshua Riggs Ben Duncan Christopher Rollins Braden Durst David Ropp Samuel Edwards Noah Sanders Drennon Faile John Sheppard Dylan Gaffney Dominick Smith Will Gavin Luke Stringfield David Gleeson Simon Sulonen William Goerlich J Talbert Caden Henderson Jonah Tervo Bradley Hirst Jackson Tompkins David Hoskins Spencer Verhalen Roy Humphreys Jason Vipperman Thomas Johnson Brody Weber Joshua Kent Ray Wilson Mark Luta Aidan Wiseman Duncan MacFadyen |
