Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is

the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary..

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time,

and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes,

twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' an d 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the

tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery ... A guard must memorize who they are

and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our

US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC

evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the

hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of

the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They

respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin,

marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding

the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be

afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,

24/7, since 1930.

God Bless and keep Them

IN GOD WE TRUST

I've seen this in person. It's absolutely amazing. I remember seeing white spots on the rubber where they walked from taking the exact same steps every single time. Anyone visiting D.C. should take this in.

The 3rd Infanty Regiment, The Old Guard, is very, very impressive.  

When my grandfather was laid to rest at Arlington in August 2001, a soldier stood guard over his casket until it was lowered into the ground.  That was supposed to be shortly after we departed the gravesite.  It was a very hot, humid August afternoon.  When we left the gravesite, we went to see my sister's grave.  We also visited several unrelated graves.  We decided to drive back by the gravesite about 2 hours later on our way out.  The casket had still not yet been lowered.  But that soldier, in his dress blues, was still standing at attention at the head of his casket.  

The chaplain, a Lt. Col, was the sharpest chaplain I have ever seen.  His "two finger" cover perfectly placed.   He spoke plainly, compassionately, and led my grandmother by the arm throughout the entire ceremony.  

When my grandmother died, the soldiers were there again, sharp as ever.  Her burial was in winter, and it was cold, windy, and raining wet snow.   As we left her gravesite, the soldiers were standing in formation along the street, rifles at Present Arms, in that nasty slop and stayed there until the family had all passed by.  

Amazing soldiers, fully deserving of "elite" status.

That is very interesting.  Please excuse my ignorance but I was just wondering.

1. Why do they stand guard over those particular graves? Because of grave robbers?

2. Are their rifles loaded with live rounds?

3. What are their duties against trespassers?

They are guarding the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier". Its more of a memorial than anything.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htm

I had the opportunity to visit the  Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on my latest trip to D.C.   It is an absolutely amazing thing to see in person. The day we were there it was over 100 degrees and the soldiers where in full dress and appeared as if it was a 'comfortable' day.  Highly recommend visiting this when/if you are in D.C.

The sentinel marches 21 steps across the black mat, past the final resting places of the Unknown Soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea, and the crypt of the Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War.

With a crisp turn, the sentinel turns 90 degrees to face east for 21 seconds.

The sentinel then turns a sharp 90 degrees again to face north for 21 seconds. A crisp "shoulder-arms" movement places the rifle on the shoulder nearest the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the tomb and any threat.

After the moment, the sentinel paces 21 steps north, turns and repeats the process.

The practiced cadence is timed so that the sentinel paces at a rate of 90 steps each minute.

Wow.  Thanks for sharing Frogtoag and Catt.  I knew that the tomb was guarded and it was very cermonial and formal, but, I had no idea of the commitments made from these men.  

Our soldiers are the best!

Very Impressive. Soldiers who have served our country and lost their lives deserve no less.

I've been there.  It's an awe inspiring site to watch the guard perform his duties along with the mini ceremony that comes with the changing of the guard.  Awesome.  

The tomb and ceremony are both amazing.  I've seen the changing of the guards several times as I lived in D.C. for four years.  I would highly recommend checking out the small display/museum that is under the side of the staircase at the tomb.  It is very small but definitely worth checking out.  The amount of physical abuse the body takes by ceremonial soldiers is amazing.  A good friend worked honor guard and his knees are toast from carrying caskets.  Shoulder and knee problems are prevelant.  I also had the chance to work with the Old Guard often.  D.C. is truly an amazing place.  The area is beautiful and the amount of history there is crazy.  Everything about the area is great but the people.  The people in the area are among the rudest you will ever find.  

Take Care

Joe

D.C. is truly an amazing place. The area is beautiful and the amount of history there is crazy. Everything about the area is great but the people. The people in the area are among the rudest you will ever find.

You have never been to Boca Raton, Florida have you?

I have.

But seriously, I've seen the changing of the guard. Incredible.

Been there many times and watched the changing of the guard.  Everytime I see it my eyes fill with tears and if your's don't then go ahead and leave the country and never come back.  

My dad and I talked to one of the guards outside their quarters once when we were there and he was telling us all this stuff and they had a new guy there at the time and he explained to us why he didn't acknowledge us when we thanked him for his service as he was returning to quarters after his time on post.

Beast,

Where are their quarters located, and is there a particular time that it is best to catch them coming or going to talk to them?

They are right beside the tomb under the building behind it.  We talked to him as they were doing the guard change.  The best I can remember the replacement guard is escorted out and the replaced guard is escorted back in.  The one that escorted came back out after he returned the guard to the baracks and talked to us.

when i saw the changing of the guard a photographer stepped over a chain and the guard stopped and turned to her and said something.

http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#Is%20it%20true%20they%20cannot%20swear%20in%20public%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20their%20lives?

the ceremony is awe inspiring.

The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtPkl88In8&NR=1

The crowd is asked to remain silent though it's rarely necessary.

Don't step over the rail!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-dBwdeJSGo&feature=related

Amazing. I just spent the last 45 minutes looking at the related videos.