The U.S. Armed Forces has provided support for official presidential inaugural ceremonies dating back to April 30, 1789, when members of the Continental Army escorted George Washington to the first U.S. presidential swearing-in ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City.
In keeping with this tradition, the Department of Defense has directed Joint Task Force National Capital Region to serve as the DoD liaison to the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC). JTF-NCR is a joint service organization charged with coordinating all military ceremonial participation and support for the 57th Presidential Inauguration.
Military participation traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, and salute batteries. Military involvement in the Presidential Inauguration is a centuries-old tradition in which the armed forces celebrate democracy, honor the new commander in chief, and recognize civilian control of the military.