The Queens Guard Precision Rifle Drill Team of Rutgers University represents one of the most nationally distinguished and internationally-acclaimed traditions at Rutgers, 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 extremely precise movements and unique use of the 1903-A3 Springfield Rifle, fitted with a 16 inch stainless steel bayonet, and proceeded to capture many national drill championship titles over the course of the 1960s and 1970s at the Cherry Blossom National Drill Meet held in Washington, D.C.

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.

More widely televised overseas than in the U.S., The Queens Guard is estimated to have been viewed over the British Broadcasting Corporation (“BBC”) and other national broadcast networks by a combined audience of more than 500 million people worldwide throughout its history.

In 1970, The Queens Guard merged with The Scarlet Rifles, its cross-campus rival affiliated with the Army ROTC Program, since students were no longer required to complete ROTC coursework as a component of the University’s core curriculum by the U.S. Government and, accordingly, were less exposed to competitive military drill as an extracurricular activity.  The Scarlet Rifles were likewise distinguished in their own right as national competitors since their establishment in 1933, but agreed to continue the newly combined unit under the name of “Queens Guard”.

As drafted initially and perfected by students of the University’s College of Engineering, the Guard’s performance routine transpires over approximately 20 minutes, reflecting movements among a variety of geometrical patterns of arrows, circles, parallelograms and others, accentuated by closely aligned rifle spins, tosses and stylized rifle manual of arms which prove exhilarating to watch and dangerous to perform.  Each team member memorizes over 1,400 separate foot and rifle movements, which are executed at a steady, uniform cadence throughout a unique performance routine, distinguished by its precision, dignity and elegance.

During the Fall semester only, The Queens Guard recruits candidates from among the University’s undergraduate community to participate in an intensive eight-week training program from mid-September through mid-November, subject to initial physical criteria to allow use of the rifle safely.

At the end of the training period, candidates are selected to join the team by current Queens Guard team members and alumni, after demonstrating their knowledge and proper execution of the technique during an evening’s review, known as “Drill Down”.  Likewise, a candidate’s enthusiasm, discipline and positive attitude are assessed, in light of the commitment in time and energy required to learn the routine over two weeks of intensive training in January, to endure the competition schedule during the Spring Semester and to serve overall as a responsible member of the team.

The Queens Guard remains “self managed” by the most senior student members, who train new recruits, plan the team’s domestic competition schedule and coordinate overseas tours.  The experience reflects an ethos of leadership, teamwork, comradeship and “ownership” of a unique heritage at the University.  A faculty advisor is appointed to offer guidance in the team’s relationship with the University, but does not participate in the training and management of its members.

Over the years, Queens Guard members have pursued various fields of study at the University, although degrees in engineering represented the highest concentration.  Today, our alumni approach 800 in number, representing professional careers ranging from the military, engineering, national security, law, and business to medicine, scientific research, education and publishing.

Since 1993, the team no longer competed nationally or traveled internationally, but instead served to support ceremonial occasions on campus.  However, upon formation of The Queens Guard Alumni Association in May 2005, 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.