One Of The Marine Corps’ Most Elite Units Has The Most Solemn Of Missions

Published May 25, 2020 5:52 PM EDT

As we remember and thank the men and women who made the greatest sacrifice of all for their country on this Memorial Day, there are a few jobs within the U.S. military in which most days are their own mini-Memorial Days. One of them is the Marine Corps Body Bearer. They act as a rock of stoic stability in a sea of emotion and grief for families and friends who have lost a loved one. It seems like a nearly impossible job. Seeing so much tragedy on a regular basis. But for the elite team of Body Bearers, it is an absolute honor and one that requires focus and strength—both mentally and physically.

The excellent videos below explain just what goes into this solemn position and how hand-selected Marines prepare to execute what is basically a no-fail mission. With just six men instead of usual eight carrying a coffin, they are unable to flinch or show any sign of fatigue or emotion.

The USMC describes just how important and elite the role of the Body Bearer is, stating :

“Company B is home to the Marine Corps’ Body Bearer Section. This elite unit, though small in number, is comprised of hand-selected candidates, who through the crucible of Body Bearer Ceremonial Drill School, honed their minds and bodies to recreate themselves into members of the most elite funeral detail in the United States’ Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Body Bearer section is to perform flawless funerals for Marines and Marine family members at Arlington National Cemetery and abroad. Additionally, the Body Bearer section is responsible for flawlessly executing a myriad of other ceremonial commitments that include: participating in Presidential, state and joint service funerals, manning the saluting battery of Marine Barracks Washington to render honors to dignitaries, and performing wreath-laying ceremonies across the National Capital Region. The family is the most cherished and important entity for the Body Bearer Section; flawless funerals are the standard the Section maintains for itself to show to the family the love and respect we have for our fallen Marines and the honor we take in being “the last to let you down”. For this reason, the road to becoming a Body Bearer is one of the most arduous paths one can take in the Marine Corps. Earning the right to perform the most solemn duty in the Marine Corps is an experience that will humble even the most prepared Marine. Marines in Ceremonial Drill School will be required to demonstrate the character and resolve to progress through the strict training regimen, the bearing to keep one’s composure no matter the circumstances, and progress from a physical strength and conditioning perspective to bear the weight of Marines’ caskets for our fallen heroes and their loved ones. Ceremonial Drill School is a self-paced program, meaning students will progress as quickly or slowly as their mental and physical faculties will allow. The average time it takes to create a Body Bearer typically ranges between six and twelve months. Earning the title of a Marine Corps Body Bearer is not the light at the end of the tunnel for students, however. Once earning Black and Gold, Body Bearers fight complacency by continuing to improve their strength, perfect their craft in the ceremonial drill they perform, and must continue to perform flawless funerals on a daily basis. This billet is not for everyone. Marine Corps Body Bearers serve as a tangible, physical manifestation of the institution that our fallen brothers and sisters have poured their hearts and souls into fortifying. As such, the mental, emotional, and physical toll this responsibility exacts from the Body Bearers as well as Ceremonial Drill School students is immense. That being said, the honor and pride the Body Bearer Section takes in caring for Marines the way they do is one of the most gratifying experiences of their lives.”

“Company B is home to the Marine Corps’ Body Bearer Section. This elite unit, though small in number, is comprised of hand-selected candidates, who through the crucible of Body Bearer Ceremonial Drill School, honed their minds and bodies to recreate themselves into members of the most elite funeral detail in the United States’ Armed Forces.

The primary mission of the Body Bearer section is to perform flawless funerals for Marines and Marine family members at Arlington National Cemetery and abroad. Additionally, the Body Bearer section is responsible for flawlessly executing a myriad of other ceremonial commitments that include: participating in Presidential, state and joint service funerals, manning the saluting battery of Marine Barracks Washington to render honors to dignitaries, and performing wreath-laying ceremonies across the National Capital Region.

The family is the most cherished and important entity for the Body Bearer Section; flawless funerals are the standard the Section maintains for itself to show to the family the love and respect we have for our fallen Marines and the honor we take in being “the last to let you down”. For this reason, the road to becoming a Body Bearer is one of the most arduous paths one can take in the Marine Corps.

Earning the right to perform the most solemn duty in the Marine Corps is an experience that will humble even the most prepared Marine. Marines in Ceremonial Drill School will be required to demonstrate the character and resolve to progress through the strict training regimen, the bearing to keep one’s composure no matter the circumstances, and progress from a physical strength and conditioning perspective to bear the weight of Marines’ caskets for our fallen heroes and their loved ones. Ceremonial Drill School is a self-paced program, meaning students will progress as quickly or slowly as their mental and physical faculties will allow. The average time it takes to create a Body Bearer typically ranges between six and twelve months.

Earning the title of a Marine Corps Body Bearer is not the light at the end of the tunnel for students, however. Once earning Black and Gold, Body Bearers fight complacency by continuing to improve their strength, perfect their craft in the ceremonial drill they perform, and must continue to perform flawless funerals on a daily basis.

This billet is not for everyone. Marine Corps Body Bearers serve as a tangible, physical manifestation of the institution that our fallen brothers and sisters have poured their hearts and souls into fortifying. As such, the mental, emotional, and physical toll this responsibility exacts from the Body Bearers as well as Ceremonial Drill School students is immense. That being said, the honor and pride the Body Bearer Section takes in caring for Marines the way they do is one of the most gratifying experiences of their lives.”

It really is amazing the dedication and fortitude of the Marines that do this job. Being faced with such sorrow so regularly and being able to compartmentalize it is something that seems superhuman. With that in mind, I am certainly greatful for the USMC Body Bearers and especially for all our fallen heroes that require their services.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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发布于美国东部时间2020年5月25日下午5:52

值此阵亡将士纪念日之际，我们缅怀并感谢那些为国捐躯的男女军人。然而，在美国军队中，有些岗位对他们而言，几乎每天都如同一个个小型的阵亡将士纪念日。其中之一便是海军陆战队护柩员。在失去亲人的家属和朋友的悲痛和哀伤中，他们如同磐石般坚韧不拔，给予他们力量。这份工作看似艰巨，因为他们要经常目睹如此多的悲剧。但对于这支精英护柩员队伍而言，这却是至高无上的荣誉，需要极强的专注力和力量——无论是精神上还是体力上。

以下精彩视频详细解释了这种庄严姿势背后的意义，以及精挑细选的海军陆战队员如何准备执行这项几乎不可能失败的任务。通常需要八人抬棺，而这次只有六人，他们必须面不改色，不能流露出任何疲惫或情绪。

美国海军陆战队详细描述了护卫员这一角色的重要性和精英性，并指出：

B连是海军陆战队灵柩队驻地。这支精锐部队虽然人数不多，但成员均经过精挑细选，他们从灵柩队礼仪训练学校的严苛训练中脱颖而出，磨练身心，最终成为美国武装部队中最​​精锐的葬礼仪仗队成员。灵柩队的主要任务是在阿灵顿国家公墓及其他地区为海军陆战队员及其家属提供完美无瑕的葬礼服务。此外，灵柩队还负责完美执行其他众多礼仪任务，包括：参与总统、国事和联合军种葬礼；在华盛顿海军陆战队兵营的礼炮台值守，向政要致敬；以及在首都地区各地举行敬献花圈仪式。家属是灵柩队最珍视和最重要的群体；完美无瑕的葬礼是灵柩队始终坚持的标准，以此向家属表达我们对阵亡将士的爱与敬意。海军陆战队员以“绝不让您失望”为荣。正因如此，成为一名护柩员是海军陆战队中最艰辛的道路之一。获得在海军陆战队履行最庄严职责的资格，即使是最有准备的海军陆战队员也会感到自身的渺小。在仪仗操练学校，海军陆战队员必须展现出坚韧的品格和决心，才能顺利完成严格的训练；无论在任何情况下都能保持镇定自若；并且从体能和体能方面不断提升，才能肩负起为阵亡英雄及其亲人抬棺的重任。仪仗操练学校采用自主学习模式，学员可以根据自身的身心状况调整学习进度。成为一名护柩员的平均时间通常为六到十二个月。然而，获得海军陆战队护柩员的称号并非学员们的终点。一旦获得黑金制服，护柩员们便会时刻警惕，避免自满。他们不断增强体魄，精进仪仗操练技艺，并且必须每天完美无瑕地执行葬礼。这份工作并非人人都能胜任。海军陆战队仪仗队是海军陆战队制度的具象化体现，而这个制度正是我们阵亡的兄弟姐妹们倾注心血、竭力维护的。因此，这份责任对仪仗队成员以及仪仗操练学校的学员们都造成了巨大的精神、情感和身体负担。即便如此，仪仗队成员以他们的方式照顾海军陆战队员，并从中获得的荣誉和自豪感，也是他们人生中最令人欣慰的经历之一。

“B连是海军陆战队灵柩队驻扎的地方。这支精锐部队虽然人数不多，但成员都是经过精心挑选的候选人，他们通过灵柩队仪仗训练学校的严苛训练，磨练身心，最终成为美国武装部队中最​​精锐的葬礼服务队成员。

仪仗队的主要任务是在阿灵顿国家公墓及其他地区为海军陆战队员及其家属提供完美无瑕的葬礼服务。此外，仪仗队还负责完美执行其他各种礼仪活动，包括：参加总统葬礼、国葬和联合军种葬礼；在华盛顿海军陆战队兵营的礼炮台值守，向政要致敬；以及在首都地区各地举行敬献花圈仪式。

对于抬棺队而言，家属是最珍视、最重要的群体；完美无瑕的葬礼是抬棺队始终坚持的标准，以此向家属表达我们对阵亡海军陆战队员的爱与敬意，以及我们“绝不让您失望”的荣耀。正因如此，成为一名抬棺队员是海军陆战队中最艰辛的道路之一。

获得在海军陆战队履行最庄严职责的资格，即使是最有准备的海军陆战队员也会感到自身的渺小。参加仪仗队训练的海军陆战队员必须展现出坚韧的品格和决心，以完成严格的训练；无论在任何情况下都能保持镇定自若；并且从体能和体能方面不断提升，最终能够为阵亡英雄及其亲属抬举灵柩。仪仗队训练是一个自主学习的项目，这意味着学员可以根据自身的身心状况调整学习进度。培养一名合格的灵柩抬举员通常需要六到十二个月的时间。

然而，对于学员来说，获得海军陆战队仪仗兵的称号并非人生的终点。一旦披上黑金战袍，仪仗兵们便会因不断提升体能、精进仪仗操练技艺而止步不前，并且必须日复一日地完美执行葬礼任务。

这份工作并非人人都能胜任。海军陆战队护卫队是阵亡将士们倾注心血捍卫的机构的具象化体现。因此，这份责任对护卫队队员以及仪仗队学员的精神、情感和身体都造成了巨大的负担。即便如此，护卫队队员们以他们的方式照料海军陆战队员，并从中获得的荣誉和自豪感，也是他们人生中最令人欣慰的经历之一。

海军陆战队员的奉献精神和坚韧不拔的精神着实令人惊叹。他们经常面对如此巨大的悲痛，却能将其内化，这简直是超人的能力。因此，我由衷地感谢美国海军陆战队护柩队，尤其感谢所有需要他们服务的阵亡英雄。

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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