Our National Commitment
Honor Guard service is performed during moments that carry deep meaning for families, agencies, communities, and the nation. These moments require dignity, precision, discipline, and trust.
The National Honor Guard Society was created to help strengthen that work through national standards, recommended best practices, education, credentialing, recognition, resources, and professional connection.
Ceremonial excellence should not depend on geography, agency size, local resources, or access to training.
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Our Vision
A national Honor Guard community where every member and unit has access to trusted standards, professional development, practical resources, and a strong network of support — so honors can be rendered with dignity, consistency, safety, and excellence regardless of discipline, location, or agency resources.
A more consistent national standard
Helping agencies and units align around trusted ceremonial principles and recommended best practices.
Greater access to training and resources
Supporting Honor Guard members and units that may lack funding, local instruction, or formal development pathways.
A stronger professional community
Connecting ceremonial professionals across law enforcement, fire service, EMS, corrections, military veteran, and public safety communities.
Our Values
The Society’s work is guided by values that reflect the seriousness of Honor Guard service
and the responsibility of building a national institution.
Dignity First
Every standard, program, resource, and decision should begin with the dignity of the ceremony, the fallen, the family, the agency, and the members rendering honors. The Society exists to strengthen service during moments that deserve the highest level of respect.
Interoperability
Honor Guard units often serve across agencies, disciplines, jurisdictions, and regions. The Society supports common language, shared expectations, and practical alignment so units can work together more effectively when ceremonies require mutual support.
Respect for Tradition
Honor Guard service is rooted in customs, symbols, and protocols that carry deep meaning. The Society seeks to preserve those traditions while helping members understand their proper use, purpose, and application.
Safety & Professionalism
Ceremonial work requires discipline, preparation, situational awareness, and care for both participants and the public. The Society promotes safe, professional, and well-prepared operations in training, ceremony, travel, equipment use, and public representation.
Vendor Neutrality
The Society is not built to promote one instructor, company, vendor, or training provider. Its standards, recognition, and governance should remain independent, balanced, and focused on the best interests of the Honor Guard community.
Mutual Support
Honor Guard service is often performed by small teams carrying heavy responsibilities. The Society exists to help members and units support one another through shared resources, professional connection, recognition, and future mutual-aid development.
How These Values Guide Our Work
Standards & Best Practices
We develop voluntary standards and recommended best practices to help Honor Guard units improve consistency, professionalism, and readiness while respecting agency authority and local policy.
Education & Credentialing
We support professional development pathways that recognize preparation, experience, instruction, and continued growth within the Honor Guard community.
Standards & Best Practices
We are building tools, partnerships, grants, scholarships, and mutual-support systems that help members and units serve with greater confidence and access.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Honor Guard Society is to preserve, standardize, and advance Honor Guard excellence by publishing national standards and recommended best practices, supporting education and credentialing, expanding access to resources, recognizing exemplary service, and connecting Honor Guard members and units across the public safety, military veteran, and ceremonial service communities.