(CHANGING OF THE GUARD)
The changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every hour in winter time, and every half hour during summer daylight hours to provide visitors ample opportunity to witness one of the Army's proudest traditions. All "walks" are two hours in duration after the cemetery is closed.
As the active sentry nears the conclusion of his walk a uniformed relief commander enters the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard.
When the sentinel assigned the next walk leaves the guards' quarters, he unlocks the bolt of his M-14 rifle to signify that he is ready to begin the ceremony.The relief commander approaches the tomb, slowly salutes, then faces the visitors and requests silence during the ceremony.
As the new sentinel approaches the relief commander slowly and with great precision, conducts a white-glove inspection of the sentinel's weapon.
The tomb sentinels salute with their rifles held in front of them "Post and orders, remain as directed." he replies. "Orders acknowledged." answers the relieving sentinel, who then steps into position at the center of the black mat (Note the small green building) A WINTER "WALK" As of 2007 there have only been three female guards at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier There has been an email circulating on the internet for a number of years that contains a mixture of fact and fiction. The facts I won't go into, I've pretty much already covered most of them on this website. The myths , however, need to be put to rest, they are believed by far too many people. FACT: This is not true, the average time spent as a tomb guard is about a year, there is no set time for service there. The Sentinels live either in a barracks on Ft. Myer (the Army post located adjacent to the cemetery) or off base if they like. ARLINGTON AMPHITHEATER This is another completely false rumor, and a very silly one I might add, as if such a rule as this could be enforced. However if they ever are discovered to have done something that would bring disgrace upon theTomb Of The Unknowns and the brave men who were laid to rest there, they will not only be dismissed from the guard, but if they are former guards they will have to relinquish their tomb guard badge. The mat is usually replaced twice per year, before Memorial Day and before Veteran's Day. This is required due to the wear on the rubber mat by the special shoes worn by Tomb Guards. The guards have metal plates built into the soles and inner parts of their shoes to allow for a more rugged sole and to give the signature click of the heel during maneuvers. Brrr, another "winter walk". Page by Mary Jones December, 2007 If you prefer to send a check or money order you may send it to Mary Jones 1002 S.W. 38 th. St, APT D Oklahoma City, OK --73109
Click on the pretty cottage to visit my homepage where all of my web pages can be found. all 300 or so of them. ---Mary If you would like to join my mailing list for future pages just click on the envelope, put SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line, send it to me and I will sign you up immediately. Most of my web pages are Patriotic or Inspirational, but I also make a few humorous pages, " Mama pages", a few political pages about things I feel very strongly about, a gospel midi page, and several other categories as well. If you just want to make a comment about a web page just click on my name, and drop a line to me with your comment. This is a five page website, in case you missed some of them I have placed a link to every page below. The history of The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier is very interesting, I truly hope you will read it all. ---Mary Jones
The two then march to the center of the mat where the duty sentinel stops his walk, and all three men salute the Tomb.
"Pass on your orders." the commander instructs the active sentinel.
As soon as the relieved sentinel and the relief commander passes, the new sentinel begins his own walk, 21 paces south, turn and pause for 21 seconds, turn and pace 21 steps south, and then repeat the actions without distraction until relieved by the next Changing of the Guards. 
The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier has never been officially named. After the Unknown Soldiers from W.W. ll and the Korean War were interred there in 1958 it became referred to by many as The Tomb Of The Unknowns, both names are widely used today. 
The gloves the guards wear are moistened to give them a better grip on their rifle
The shoes the guards wear are standard issue military dress shoes that have been modified somewhat. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand so that his back is straight and perpendicular to the ground and move in a more fluid fashion. If he does this correctly, his hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives him a more formal and smooth look to his walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
There is a small green building close to the Tomb, known as "The Box". It is used primarily during wreath-laying ceremonies for the Sentinel to retreat to while flowers and Taps are being presented. There also is a phone with a direct line downstairs to the Tomb Guard Quarters - this is used in times of emergencies or just to notify the next shift of something.
MYTH: A tomb guard must commit 2 years of life to guarding 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 do have living quarters under the steps of the amphitheater where they stay during their 24 hour shifts, but when they are off, they are off. And if they are of legal age they may drink anything they like, except while on duty. And needless to say if they show up for duty drunk or obviously hung over, or even with the smell of liquor on their breath, that would be grounds for dismissal from the guard
MYTH:
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives
The guards are issued sunglasses, which are formed to their faces, due to the bright reflection from the marble surrounding the Tomb and the Memorial Amphitheater.
Staff Sergeant James T.Taylor on his last walk at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
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