The Summerall Guards are the elite senior drill platoon of The Citadel. The drill has remained unchanged since their inaugural year in 1932. The Citadel Series performed by the Guard is based upon the Prussian high step and German close order drill. No written records of the drill will be found because this truly unique series is performed only at The Citadel.

Furthermore, it is not passed down by written records, but strictly by verbal instruction. Upon returning from Christmas furlough, members of the second class enter into rigorous training and competition for acceptance into the Guard. During this training they are labeled as Bond Volunteer
Aspirants or BVAs.

The BVAs are taught a hybrid of The Citadel Series, known as BVA drill. They are also subjected to the most rigorous physical training that The Citadel has to offer. The signature Olive drab pants and "Old Corps" Chuck Taylor All Stars shoes are worn by all BVAs. On the Wednesday prior to Final Cuts Day all but the top 72 BVAs are cut. The remaining 72 BVAs complete each of the nine squads. Arranged in height order from the Trees to the Duck Butts they prepare for Cuts Day. On Cuts Day, each squad is required to perform each of the four BVA drill series'. They are judged on their military bearing, discipline, intensity, and the exactness of their drill. The following day, the top 61 are announced as the subsequent year's Bond Volunteers. The remaining 11 Aspirants are sent home, but not empty handed. Throughout the next month the BVs train along side the Summerall Guards.

On Corps weekend, The Citadel's Birthday, The Summerall Guards perform a changing of the guard ceremony, in which the Summerall Guards and the Bond Volunteers each perform The Citadel Series. Following the performance a unique rifle exchange ceremony takes place. Then the Bond Volunteers officially become known as the next year's Summerall Guards. At this time, the 11 BVAs who did not make the final cut become Bond Volunteers.

The Summerall Guards have become the school's premier drill organization. They have performed as the Honor Guard at Mardi Gras, Presidential inaugurations, numerous professional sporting events, The Azalea Festival, and The Citadel's Parents Weekend and Homecoming to name a few.

In a 1968 edition of the Brigadier it is stated that, "When the Bond Volunteers are passed the 1903 Springfield rifles by the retiring Summerall Guards, they are accepting more than an aged weapon of war. Into their hands, for another year, is passed the heritage of nearly forty classes before them. To them is given the task of carrying on the tradition." To the classes to follow, I say

CARRY ON!