A guardsman is a soldier who serves in a special military unit responsible for protecting important people, places, or ceremonies. The most famous guardsmen are probably the British Royal Guards, who stand watch outside Buckingham Palace in their tall bearskin hats and bright red uniforms. These guards protect the royal family and must remain perfectly still at their posts, even when tourists try to make them laugh or smile.

In the United States, a guardsman typically refers to a member of the National Guard, a military force that serves both individual states and the nation. National Guardsmen train part-time as soldiers while also holding regular civilian jobs: your neighbor might be a teacher during the week and a guardsman on weekends. When natural disasters strike, like hurricanes or wildfires, guardsmen help rescue people, deliver supplies, and restore order. They can also be called to serve in wars overseas.

The word comes from the idea of standing guard, which means watching over something to keep it safe. Throughout history, elite guard units have protected kings, presidents, and other leaders. Being selected as a guardsman has often been considered a great honor, showing that commanders trusted you with their most important responsibilities.