By Nila Harris
2023 Pendleton County High School graduate Hayden Cobb knows all about adversity. Coming from a childhood in which he saw the terrible things addiction causes, and a life filled with disruption, frequent moves and uncertainty, Cobb was troubled.
“When he was in eighth grade, he, like so many other kids who come from traumatic home lives, made a mistake,” said his aunt Laura Caudill, who had custody of her nephew for a short while he was in elementary school.
This mistake ended his football career and sent him spiraling downhill.
“Despite the teachers and administrators at his school district being trained on how to best teach children from trauma, he was labeled as a troublemaker and discarded. He didn’t fit their mold, he didn’t know the right people, he had the wrong last name, and despite the emails from local teachers attesting to his true character, and my black-and-white evidence that he was being punished in an unfair way, those in power chose to push him away, forever altering his life in a negative way.”
But Cobb persevered. Not only did he persevere after high school, Cobb thrived.
Hayden Cobb is a member of the Honor Guard in the United States Army. This “troublemaker” was chosen after boot camp to be trained to be a member of the elite company who performs at ceremonies at the White House, the Pentagon, Arlington Cemetery and on television, and who has a security clearance that only a small number of Americans will ever obtain.
Each branch of the military has its own Honor Guard. To be a member, you must meet the height requirements — males at least 6 feet tall and females between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10.
You must pass the security clearance and have an unblemished record with no disciplinary actions or health issues.
Your uniform must be kept flawless, and you must not have any visible tattoos or markings that would detract from the presentation.
According to Cobb, his unit shows respect for the deceased and for the living, and the respect flows through each ceremony. He was trained in the 21-gun salute, rifle manual, and drills and ceremony for funerals, and the laying of red carpet for special guests to the United States.
He has even performed the Twilight Tattoo, a military event for middle and high schoolers in the DC area.
“A primary purpose for the Honor Guard is to provide funeral honors to fallen comrades and to guard national monuments. An Honor Guard may also serve as guardian of the colors by displaying and escorting the national flag on ceremonial occasions at official state functions,” according to liveabout.com.
“Military Honor Guards may also serve as ambassadors to the public, presenting a positive image of their service, and assisting with the recruiting effort.”
Recently, at a joint service Honor Guard ceremony at the Pentagon, the 20 year-old Cobb met Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. And where was Cobb this past Independence Day?
“I got to watch the fireworks (at the White House) with the president,” he said.
Cobb may have experienced a rough childhood and into his teen years, but he didn’t let adversity ruin him. He is happy to serve his country and recommends the military path.
“I love the people. Love my job. Love the people here (in Washington, D.C.). You serve your country; everything is paid for. You can go to the gym, work out and see other places.
“Some don’t see it that way. They say you get yelled at. Yeah, you get yelled at, but you grow yourself. It’s the greatest thing,” Cobb said.