(How Tomb Guards Are Chosen)
The 3rd United States
Infantry (nicknamed The Old Guard) has served America continuously since
1784, and today is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the U.S.
Army.
Since World War II The Old Guard has been the Army's official HONOR
GUARD.Among their duties, beyond providing security to our Nation's
Capitol in time of national emergency or civil disturbance,are some
of the most impressive displays of military
ceremony.
Soldiers from The Old Guard escort
the President, conduct military ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon,
and national memorials in our Capitol City, including funeral details
and other special ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
The guards at the Tomb Of
The Unknown Soldier are all selected from the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old
Guard) which is stationed at Fort Myer,Virginia. Getting into the
The Old Guard is not an easy task, as each soldier must pass the
standards set for the entire Regiment. Once in the Old Guard they are
required to serve at least six months before submitting a request to be
a Tomb guard.
Being selected to stand watch over the graves
of the Unknown Soldiers is one of the highest honors a soldier in the
United States Army can be granted. Here are just a few of the
requirements that those who are chosen must pass:
All guards chosen are between the ranks of Private (E-1) through Sergeant First Class (E-7).
They cannot have ever had any military or civilian convictions of law
They must score a minimum of 250 on the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Physical Requirements: From 5'11" - 6'4", distributed in perfect proportion according to his height and weight
Present a soldierly appearance in the Army Blue Uniform
Acceptance in The Old Guard's Company E does not assure a
volunteer that he will become one the few chosen to earn the distinctive
Tomb Guard Badge.It may take months for a soldier to earn the right
just to TEST to wear the coveted silver Tomb Guard Identification badge,
and even then, the award is just temporary.Only after the guard has
served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for nine months is he allowed
to wear the badge as a permanent part of his uniform. One of the Army's
rarest emblems, it features the inverted laurel and a replica of the
East face of the tomb where Greek images represent the virtues of
Victory, Valor, and Peace. Tomb Guards wear the Tomb Identification
Badge on the right breast pocket.
Before any soldier is allowed "a
walk" he must memorize seven pages of history on Arlington National
Cemetery and then recite it verbatim. If a soldier finishes this
phase and is granted "a walk" he enters a new phase of training known as
"new-soldier training". In addition to extensive training in the manual
of arms, the guard change ceremony, and the intricacies of military
ritual, the new-soldier is required to memorize additional information
on Arlington, including the grave locations of nearly 300 notables who
are buried at the Arlington national Cemetery. He spends on the average
of five hours a day preparing his uniform for "the walk", it must be
immaculate in every way, and free from wrinkles and lint.
Each
"walk" is a shift of one-half hour during daylight hours in the summer,
one hour during daylight hours in the winter, and all night shifts when
the cemetery is closed , are two-hour walks. Each walk concludes with
the ceremonial Changing of the Guards...even when no audience is
present.
Sentinels preparing for next change of guards.
Duty time when not
"walking" is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below the Memorial Display
Room of the Memorial Amphitheater where they study cemetery "knowledge,"
clean their weapons and help the rest of their relief prepare for the
Changing of the Guard. The guards, (also called sentinels) train on
their days off in order to stay in excellent physical
condition.
Arlington Memorial Amphitheatre
There are three reliefs, each
having one relief commander and about six sentinels. The three reliefs
are divided by height so that those in each guard change ceremony look
similar. Each relief has the following schedule: first day on, one day
off, second day on, one day off, third day on, four days off. Then,
their schedule repeats. Millions of Americans annually visit the
Memorial Amphitheater to watch these dedicated soldiers of a new
generation, dutifully pace 21 steps across a black mat on the west face
of the Tomb. It is a time honored ritual, executed with great
precision and filled with American pride.
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 turns 90 degrees to face east for 21 seconds.He
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 that might arise. He
then paces 21 steps north, turns and repeats the process throughout his
tour.The practiced cadence is timed so that the sentinel paces at a rate
of 90 steps each minute. The number '21' is used in every phase of the
'walk', it is symbolic of the 21 gun salute, the highest honor given in
military and state ceremonies.
My dedication to this sacred duty is total and
wholehearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I
falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain
perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the
discomfort of the elements, I will walk my tour in humble reverence
to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I
protect. His bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well
meaning crowds by day, alone in the thoughtful peace of night, this
soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.
Please don't miss Page Five, it's about the most popular attraction at the Arlington National Cemetery, the Changing Of The Guard at The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier--Mary
Well, you're finally nearing the end of my website, did you think you'd ever get here? ;–) The last past is what most people remember most about their visit to this hallowed ground, the Changing Of The Guard. So click on Page Five and read all about this solemn time honored tradition. Most of you will probably never see The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier in person, but I hope you find these pages were the next best thing to actually being there. One thing is almost certain and that is that you'll know a lot more about its history than you did before. And I have a feeling a lot of what you read and saw here will live in your memory for a long,long time. Thank you for visiting my web site, and please do share it with others if you think there's at least a chance they will welcome it and be glad you sent it to them, Remember you only have to send the First Page, they can access the other pages via the links at the bottom of every page, it might not hurt if you would let them know that, otherwise they might finish page one and think that was all there was.--Love to All -Mary