The Summerall Guards first began in 1932 under the name Richardson Rifles, a name chosen to honor ex-governor James Richardson II (1840-1842). The Citadel was created in 1829 as an arsenal and guard for the protection of Charleston and low country residents. In 1842, Governor Richardson worked with the state legislature to add academics to the garrison, creating The South Carolina Military Academy.
The drill company “Richardson’s Rifles” began as a title
reserved for the best-drilled company. It soon changed allowing try-outs.
The drill company was composed of two platoons, Lang’s Grenadiers
and the Summerall Guards. Lang’s Grenadiers were selected from members
of the first class while the Summerall Guards were selected from the second
class. At that time, Colonel Lang was the Commandant and General Summerall
was the Superintendent. The commander of the Richardson Rifles, Cadet
J.M. Ackerman, presided over both platoon commanders. The first commander
of Lang’s Grenadiers was Cadet Major James Duckett (First Battalion
Infantry Commander), while Cadet L.B. Steele commanded the Summerall Guards.
Upon attaining the rank of Major General, General Duckett assumed the
role as the 13th President of The Citadel.
In 1933 Colonel Lang resigned as Commandant of The Citadel additionally,
Former President Oliver J. Bond (1908-1931) died that year. The senior
drill platoon changed their name from Lang’s Grenadiers to Bond
Volunteers in honor of the popular President.
In 1943, the Richardson Rifles ended as the elite drill company, but the
Summerall Guards drill platoon continued to drill that year. Due to World
War II, (1944-1946) the drill platoon was disbanded. Under the direction
of Cadet W.F. Chapman, the senior platoon reorganized in 1947 with Chapman
as the commander. The Bond Volunteers no longer performed, but instead
became an “aspirant” platoon. The Bond Volunteer platoon is
composed of junior aspirants trained by the Senior Guards. The Bond Volunteer
Aspirants (BVA’s) become Summerall Guards only after three weeks
of arduous training and “Cuts-Day”.
The 1960 Summerall Guards, under the leadership of Cadet David St. Clair
Goble, were the first platoon to create a constitution. This written document
contains the by-laws, which define training, discipline, selection, and
leadership. Presently The Guard Constitution serves as an agreement with
the Commandant of Cadets. The 1970 Summerall Guards made a slight change
to the performance, which remains to this day. The Guards also began their
performance by marching in followed by the high-step series.
The Summerall Guards perform the same basic Prussian high-step silent-drill
series performed by the 1932 class. To this day the series is passed on
to each class by rigorous training. No written copy of the series can
be found, because it is passed down by word of mouth. Every year numerous
junior aspirants begin training upon returning from Christmas furlough.
Cuts Day gives each BVA the opportunity to compete for a performance slot.
Cuts are determined by the aspirant’s exactness of drill, physical
discipline, and concentration during performance. Each year, fifty-one
Bond Volunteer Aspirants earn the title of Summer Guard performer. Additionally;
ten others complete the Guard platoon as alternates. Those BVA’s
who do not make the competitive cut earn the title Bond Volunteer.
Every spring the Summerall Guards perform a unique ceremony where they
pass their rifles down to the Bond Volunteer (junior) platoon. Today,
this long withstanding tradition is continued in the rifle exchanging
ceremony, which serves to officially signify the Bond Volunteer platoon’s
ascendancy to Summerall Guards.
