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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.
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.
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, that there are only 400
presently worn, and that 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 series of tests.
The
Badge is permanently awarded after a Sentinel has served 9 months as a Sentinel
at the Tomb. Over 500 have been awarded since its creation in the late 1950's.
And while the Badge can be revoked, the
offense must be such that it discredits the Tomb. Revocation is at the
Regimental Commander’s discretion. But you can drink a beer and even
swear and still keep the Badge. The Badge is a full size award, worn on the
right pocket of the uniform jacket, not a lapel pin.
Are
the shoes 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
dependent 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. 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 military guard was posted during cemetery hours; and on July
1, 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).
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_sheets/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?
YES, BUT
the accomplishment of the mission and welfare of the Soldier is never put at
risk. The Tomb Guards have contingencies that are ready to be executed IF the
weather conditions EVER place the Soldiers at risk of injury or death – such
as lightning, high winds, etc. This ensures that Sentinels can maintain the Tomb
Guard responsibilities while ensuring soldier safety. It is the responsibility
of the Chain of Command from the Sergeant of the Guard to the Regimental
Commander to ensure mission accomplishment and soldier welfare at all times.
It was erroneously reported that during Hurricane Isabel, the Sentinels were
ordered to abandon their posts for shelter and that they refused. No such order
was ever given. All proper precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the
Sentinels while accomplishing their mission. Risk assessments are constantly
conducted by the Chain of Command during changing conditions to ensure that
soldier welfare is maintained during mission accomplishment.
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. 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.
How
many Sentinels have been female?
There have
been 3 female Sentinels and 1 female Platoon Leader. |
