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, above.
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" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit Two 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.
Somewhat recently, our US Senate/House took 2 days off, as they
couldn't work because of an expected severe storm. On the ABC evening news, it
was reported that, because of the dangers associated with Hurricane
Isabelle approaching Washington DC, 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.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service
no matter where they serve
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, above.
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" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30."
Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit Two 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.
Somewhat recently, our US Senate/House took 2 days off, as they
couldn't work because of an expected severe storm. On the ABC evening news, it
was reported that, because of the dangers associated with Hurricane
Isabelle approaching Washington DC, 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.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service
no matter where they serve
