Adam Lanier selected for U.S. Armed Forces Honor Guard
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

PFC Adam Lanier of Millen was one of 27 U.S. Marines selected to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces Honor Guard in Washington, D.C. (Photo contributed)

PFC Adam Lanier, 18, of Millen was one of 27 servicemen recently selected from a group of 301 U.S. Marines to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces Honor Guard. He is the son of Marshall and Elaine Lanier and a 2007 graduate of Jenkins County High School.

PFC Lanier, an infantry rifleman, will be stationed at the "8th & I" Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. for the next two years. Established in 1801, the "8th & I" is known as the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. The Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nation's capitol.

As a member of the Honor Guard, PFC Lanier's duties will include participation in arrival ceremonies for heads of states, casket teams, firing parties and marching platoons for funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, ceremonial escorts, guarding of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and ceremonial support for both the Sunset Parade on Tuesday evenings at the Marine Corps War Memorial and the Evening Parade on Friday nights during the summer months.

The screening of Marines for the Honor Guard begins during basic training. Marines are individually selected from the Schools of Infantry located in Camp Pendleton, Calif. And Camp Lejune, N.C. from interviews conducted by Barracks personnel.

"The drill instructors start looking at you during boot camp. They look at how well you perform and how dedicated you are," PFC Lanier said. "Then you are interviewed while still in training."

Once selected, the Marines are assigned to Washington, D.C. to serve a 2-year ceremonial tour. In addition to their ceremonial duties, the Marines train in the field as infantrymen.

Following his two years at the "8th & I", PFC Lanier said he will likely finish his four-year tour of duty serving in Iraq. That possibility, however, does not bother him.

"People think that the military is all about killing and guns, but there are a lot of humanitarian efforts going on as well. There are probably only five combat positions in the Marines. All the news media show is the combat. They don't show the administrative side," he said.

PFC Lanier also expressed his appreciation for the letters he has received while away from home and for the telephone calls to his parents inquiring about him.

"It means a lot when you're away from home," he said.

Following a few days off, PFC Lanier will graduate from training Dec. 4 and then head off to the "8th & I" in Washington, D.C.