KeyserSoze

Don't know if this has been posted anywhere on TFP, and if it was ...I couldn't find it.

So here it is:

This is a TRUE AMERICAN:

A Special Duty , and a special person...

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 #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" and 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.

__________________
THERE IS NO KEYSER SOZE!!

Speed_Gibson

definitely a special job but not that I would pursue. I am fine with these:
and close to the physical standards (the waist is just a tiny bit too much) but four years of the military was enough for me and I much prefer coveralls for a uniform.

reading that does make me want to grab my camera and take some pictures though. Just the slight issue of a 2500+ mile trip.

__________________
Started talking to yourself I see.
Yes, it's the only way I can be certain of an intelligent conversation.

Black Adder

Fearless_Hyena

Wow. Do you happen to know the original source of this text?

Cynthetiq

I go to the Tomb of the Unknowns every time I'm able to when down in the DC area.

Changing guard or no, I am in awe and reverence of the fact that this tradition is done, rain, shine, snow, sleet...

It is amazing.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

nanofever

I love the smell of e-mail hoaxs in the morning, smells like victory.

"How does the Guard rotation work? Is it an 8 hour shift?

Currently, the Tomb Guards work on a three Relief (team) rotation - 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 24 hours off, 24 hours on, 96 hours off. However, over the years it has been different. The time off isn't exactly free time. It takes the average Sentinel 8 hours to prep his/her uniform for the next work day. Additionally, they have Physical Training, Tomb Guard training, and haircuts to complete before the next work day.

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.

How long does the Sentinel hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

He does not execute an about face. He stops on the 21st step, then turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds. Then he turns to face back down the mat, changes his weapon to the outside shoulder, counts 21 seconds, then steps off for another 21 step walk down the mat. He faces the Tomb at each end of the 21 step walk for 21 seconds. The Sentinel then repeats this over and over until he is relieved at the Guard Change.

Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to improve his grip on the rifle.

How often are the Guards changed?

The Guard is changed every thirty minutes during the summer (April 1 to Sep 30) and every hour during the winter (Oct 1 to Mar 31). During the hours the cemetery is closed, the guard is changed every 2 hours. The Tomb is guarded, and has been guarded, every minute of every day since 1937.

Is it true 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.

No, this is a false rumor. The average tour at the Tomb 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. 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.

Is it true they cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives?

Again, another false rumor. How could that be enforced?

Is it true 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 Tomb Guard Identification Badge is awarded after the Sentinel passes a special test. The Badge is permanently awarded after a Sentinel has served 9 months. Currently there are 525 awarded. And while the Badge can be revoked, the offense must be very severe, such as a felony conviction. But you can drink a beer and even swear and still keep the Badge. And the Badge is a full size award, worn on the right pocket of the uniform jacket, not a lapel pin.

Are the shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. 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. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up as he walks down the mat. This allows him to move in a 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.

Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to click his heels during certain movements. If a guard change is really hot, it is called a "smoker" because all the heel clicks fall together and sound like one click. In fact, the guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns"). No voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.

How many times will a Soldier be on duty during the shift?

Each Relief (team) has a rotation during the 24 hour work day. This rotation is dependant on the number of Soldier-Sentinels who are proficient enough to guard the Tomb. The standard is 3-4 qualified Sentinels, 1-2 Relief Commander/Assistant Relief Commander, and 1-2 Sentinels in training. Generally, the Sentinel will be on guard duty for a tour and have two tours off in between - then go out for another tour. However, in extreme cases, Sentinels have been known to go back-to-back for the entire 24 hour shift.

How do the Soldiers get to and from the quarters without being seen?

Most wear civilian clothes - although the short, tight haircuts tend to give us away.

There is a small green shack next to the Tomb, what is it for?

"The Box" 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.

Has anyone ever tried to get past the Tomb guards, or attempted to deface the Tomb?

Yes, that is the reason why we now guard the Tomb. Back in the early 1920's, we didn't have guards and the Tomb looked much different (see attached picture). People often came to the cemetery in those days for picnics during which time some would actually use the Tomb as a picnic area (probably because of the view). Soon after, 1925, they posted a civilian guard; in 1926, a mlitary guard was posted during cemetery hours; and on July1, 1937, this was expanded to the 24-hour watch. Since then, the ceremony has developed throughout the years to what we have today. Today, most of the challenges faced by the Sentinels are tourists who want to get a better picture or uncontrolled children (which generally is very frightening for the parent when the Soldier challenges the child). However, there have been moments of concern, like in 1984 when a former government employee took the Sentinel hostage with a handgun. In that situation, the Tomb Guards not on duty were alerted and proceeded to tackle the gunman from behind - no one was injured.

What happened to the soldier that was in the Tomb from the Vietnam War?

The remains of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier were exhumed May 14, 1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, DoD scientists identified the remains as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972. It has been decided that the crypt that contained the remains of the Vietnam Unknown will remain vacant. (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/fact...s/vubackgr.htm)(http://www.dod.mil/topstory/tomb.html)

What is it like to guard in bad weather?

The guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (we call ourselves "Sentinels") are completely dedicated to their duty of guarding the Tomb. Because of that dedication, the weather does not bother them. In fact, they consider it an honor to stand their watch (we call it "walking the mat"), regardless of the weather. It gets cold, it gets hot - but the Sentinels never budge. And they never allow any feeling of cold or heat to be seen by anyone.

Do you guard in a blizzard or a bad thunderstorm?

The Tomb Guards walk the mat regardless of the threat of severe weather. In the fall of 2003, when Hurricane Isabelle moved through the Washington DC area, the Sentinels continued to walk the mat. Even when the wind knocked over trees, the Tomb Guards stayed at their post and guarded the Tomb.

Do you guard all night long, even when the cemetery is closed?

The Tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, there has been a sentinel on duty in front of the Tomb every minute of every day since 1937. And the Sentinel does not change the way he guards the Tomb, even at night when there is no one around at night. The Sentinels do this because they feel that the Unknown Soldiers who are buried in the Tomb deserve the very best they have to give."

http://www.tombguard.org/FAQ.html#Wh...0gloves%20wet?

__________________
I'm leaving for the University of California: Santa Barbara in 5 hours, give me your best college advice - things I need, good ideas, bad ideas, nooky, ect.

Originally Posted by Norseman on another forum:
"Yeah, the problem with the world is the stupid people are all cocksure of themselves and the intellectuals are full of doubt."

billege

Thanks for the real facts. It's always best when something meant to honor our fallen is repeated truthfully and accurately.

__________________
I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence:
"My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

onodrim

When I was in eighth grade, I got to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown, it was a really wonderful experience. They are very serious about all these regulations because before I got to do it, I had to go over this whole packet of exactly what to do, and there was a specific dress code as well. Once I got there, I had to meet with an officer and go over the details of exactly how, where, and when to walk again. I felt very honored to get to be a part of the whole thing.

__________________
"The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there’s little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides"
-Carl Sagan

Stud

Yeah, I was in the Old Guard for 4 years and some of the statements were false, thanks for correcting them.

I was never Tomb Guard, rumor was you had to have a 28" waist!, and they were TALL dudes. Continental Color Guard is pretty hardcore too.

Still impressive to see these guys. Try to catch the changing of the guard. If you go the relief enters from the right as you face the tomb, so if you can be on that side it is better.

Stud

Foreign leaders come to do the same thing you did! During the summer it sems there is always some group presenting.

aurigus

Wow, very educational. Something I always wanted to know more about!

Stud

FYI:

This weekend is when the Dedication Ceremony for the WWII Memorial in DC is taking place (May 29, 2004).

This Memorial is beautiful. If you cannot make it this weekend you should definitely take the time to see it at some point.

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
WWII Memorial Online