The Queens Guard represents one of the most nationally distinguished and internationally-acclaimed traditions at Rutgers University, dominating intercollegiate competition and proudly representing the United States at prestigious exhibitions throughout the world.

Founded in 1957 as an extracurricular activity for cadets of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC), the team assumed the name of Rutgers University Queens Guard in honor of the University’s American Revolutionary War heritage, as Queen’s College from 1766 to 1825, and Rutgers College thereafter. Soon, The Queens Guard gained laudatory recognition among intercollegiate competitors for its extremely precise movements and unique use of the 1903-A3 Springfield Rifle, fitted with a 16 inch stainless steel bayonet, and captured many national drill championship titles over the course of the 1960s and 1970s.

After participating in the inaugural parades for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and gaining widespread accolades on the intercollegiate scene, The Queens Guard journeyed overseas in 1968 to perform at The Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, representing the first of 16 international exhibitions over the next 20 years throughout Scotland, England, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany.

Since 1993, the team no longer competed nationally or traveled internationally, but instead served to support ceremonial occasions on campus. In 2005, upon formation of The Queens Guard Alumni Association, our alumni volunteered to train current undergraduate students of the University, and to reconstitute the team on campus as a proud competitor once again, as prelude to the 50th anniversary celebration of The Queens Guard heritage at Rutgers in 2007.