# National Ceremonial Guard

The National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) is an honor guard battalion of the South African National Defence Force serving during ceremonies involving the President of South Africa, Deputy President of South Africa, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force. It is composed of a guard of honour, a drill team, and a military band.

## History

The unit was originally founded on 01 May 1967 as the State Presidents Guard when Charles Robberts Swart was the State President of South Africa. It was dissolved in 1990 ahead of the first democratic elections in 1994. The unit was rebranded in September 1996 as the National Ceremonial Guard. The NCG's old uniform of dark green tunic with black pants was reinstated after it was reestablished. In April 2008, the NCG moved into the Sebokeng Military Complex by order of the president.

## Functions

The NCG takes part official state functions such as the opening of Parliament, and the welcoming ceremonies of visits by international leaders and statesmen to South Africa. It also provides guards of honour at inaugurations of Presidents, state funerals and certain national monuments.

## NCG Band

The NCG Band is the military band unit attached to the NCG. It currently serves as the senior most band of the entire SANDF. Both the NCG and its military band have been sent to different countries to perform in military tattoos and other international events. Since 2001, the band has undertaken the role of training military bandsmen from Namibia and Botswana.$^{:4–11}$

## Regalia
### Insignia

Good Conduct Stripes :
| Garment with Pocket: Centred on the right pocket |||
| Garment without Pocket: 10 millimetres (0.39 in) below the name badge |||
| Insignia |||
| NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes |||
| Level 1 | Level II | Level III |
| SANDF - Embossed Good Conduct Badge - SA Army - NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes - Level I | No Image | SANDF - Embossed Good Conduct Badge - SA Army - NCG Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Green with Gold Stripes - Level III |

### Head Dress

Head Dress :
| Cap Badge | Beret | Service Dress Cap |
| SANDF - INSIGNIA - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard - Service Dress Cap Badge | SANDF - Beret - Men - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard (NCG) - Olive Green | SANDF - Cap - SA Army - National Ceremonial Guard Uniform - Ceremonial Guard Cap |

### NCO Rank

NCO Service Dress Rank :
| Staff Sergeant | Sergeant |
| SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Crest In Silver - Pin On - Staff Sergeant - NCG and MD Left | SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Sergeant - NCG and MD |
NCO Service Dress Rank :
| Corporal | Lance Corporal |
| SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Corporal - NCG and MD | SANDF - INSIGNIA - Rank - NCO - SA Army - Embossed - Gold On Black - Pin On - Lance Corporal - NCG and MD |

### Uniforms

Uniforms :
| Jacket | Trousers |
| SANDF - JACKET - Men - SA Army - Ceremonial Guard - Green | SANDF - TROUSERS - Men - SA Army - Ceremonial Guard - Black |