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National Ceremonial Guard

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National Ceremonial Guard
Nasionale Seremoniële Wag
The National Ceremonial Guard at the opening of 17th World Festival of Youth and Students.
Active1996 – present
Country South Africa
BranchSouth African National Defence Force
TypeHonor Guard
RoleCeremonial guard
Size293 personnel
Garrison/HQSebokeng Military Complex, Pretoria

The National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) is an honor guard battalion of the South African National Defence Force serving during ceremonies involving the President of South Africa, Deputy President of South Africa, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. It is composed of a guard of honour, a drill team, and a military band.

History

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The unit was originally founded on 01 May 1967 as the State Presidents Guard[1] when Charles Robberts Swart was the State President of South Africa. It was dissolved in 1990 ahead of the first democratic elections in 1994. The unit was rebranded in September 1996 as the National Ceremonial Guard. The NCG's old uniform of dark green tunic with black pants was reinstated after it was reestablished. In April 2008, the NCG moved into the Sebokeng Military Complex by order of the president.[2][3]

Functions

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The NCG at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

The NCG takes part official state functions such as the opening of Parliament, and the welcoming ceremonies of visits by international leaders and statesmen to South Africa. It also provides guards of honour at inaugurations of Presidents, state funerals and certain national monuments.

NCG Band

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The NCG Band is the military band unit attached to the NCG. It currently serves as the senior most band of the entire SANDF. Both the NCG and its military band have been sent to different countries to perform in military tattoos and other international events. Since 2001, the band has undertaken the role of training military bandsmen from Namibia and Botswana.[4]: 4–11 

Regalia

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Insignia

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Good Conduct Stripes
Garment with Pocket: Centred on the right pocket
Garment without Pocket: 10 millimetres (0.39 in) below the name badge
Insignia
NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes
Level 1 Level II Level III
SANDF - Embossed Good Conduct Badge - SA Army - NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes - Level I
No Image
SANDF - Embossed Good Conduct Badge - SA Army - NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes - Level III

Head Dress

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Head Dress
Cap Badge Beret Service Dress Cap
SANDF - INSIGNIA - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard - Service Dress Cap Badge
SANDF - Beret - Men - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) - Olive Green
SANDF - Cap - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Cap

NCO Rank

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NCO Service Dress Rank
Staff Sergeant Sergeant
SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Crest In Silver - Pin On - Staff Sergeant - NCG and MD Left
SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Sergeant - NCG and MD
NCO Service Dress Rank
Corporal Lance Corporal
SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Corporal - NCG and MD
SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Lance Corporal - NCG and MD

Uniforms

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Uniforms
Jacket Trousers
SANDF - JACKET - Men - SA Army - Ceremonial Guard - Green
SANDF - TROUSERS - Men - SA Army - Ceremonial Guard - Black

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Scientia Militaria". South African Journal of Military Studies. 16 (5). 1986.
  2. ^ Helfritch, Kim (August 16, 2017). "The National Ceremonial Guard – not only a precision drill showcase". Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "State President's Guard". 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. It was revived by president Mandela in the late 1990s, in its present form as the "National Ceremonial Guard".
  4. ^ "EVALUATION PROCEDURES IN IDMAC-REGULATED SERVICE BANDS" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2020-04-15.